Ergo, the Ogre

A large, sprawling oak tree with thick branches covered in green moss, surrounded by lush greenery in a natural setting.

This week’s theme for Song Lyric Sunday is Haunted/Magic/Mystery/Supernatural/Trick.

I chose Walk Away Renee by Left Banke. It’s an old one, from 1966 and one of my all-time favorites. To me, both the lyrics and melody are rather haunting; mesmerizing even. It was written by 16-year-old Left Banke member, Michael Brown (of blessed memory) for a girl named Renee Fladen. She was the girlfriend of the band’s bass player and he had a huge crush on her. She didn’t feel the same about Michael, and so he wrote the song for her.

The Four Tops covered Walk Away, Renee several months after Left Banke’s original.

 

 

 

 

And when I see the sign that points one way
The lot we used to pass by every day

Just walk away Renee
You won’t see me follow you back home
The empty sidewalks on my block are not the same
You’re not to blame

From deep inside the tears that I’m forced to cry
From deep inside the pain that I chose to hide

Just walk away Renee
You won’t see me follow you back home
Now as the rain beats down upon my weary eyes
For me it cries

Just walk away Renee
You won’t see me follow you back home
Now as the rain beats down upon my weary eyes
For me it cries

Your name and mine inside a heart upon a wall
Still finds a way to haunt me, though they’re so small

Just walk away Renee
You won’t see me follow you back home
The empty sidewalks on my block are not the same
You’re not to blame

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Ergo, the Ogre

Susan Marie Shuman is an author and freelance writer/editor who currently resides in the wilds of Birmingham, AL. She shares her life with two spoiled cats, several friends (not all of them imaginary) and one husband. When she’s not working, Susan enjoys horseback riding, reading, taking her cats for a spin in their pet stroller, and taking naps. An ex-bartender, recovering crash test dummy, and all-around late bloomer, Susan graduated from the University of South Alabama in 2004 with a BA in English. She minored in Russian. Long-range goals include visiting Israel, the Czech Republic and Liechtenstein. Susan is also planning to launch a micronation which would be called either Suzannistan or Eastern Suzanorovia.

10 responses to “Unrequited Love”

  1. Christine Bolton Avatar
    Christine Bolton

    Lovely choice! I hadn’t heard this version, but I liked it 🙂💕

    Reply
    1. The Abject Muse Avatar
      The Abject Muse

      Thank you, Christine. :-)

      Reply
  2. pensitivity101 Avatar
    pensitivity101

    I remember this by the Four Tops and also on the soundtrack of the first series of Ally McBeal.

    Reply
    1. The Abject Muse Avatar
      The Abject Muse

      I don’t think I ever watched Ally McBeal. Guess I’m a bit out of touch. :-)

      Reply
      1. pensitivity101 Avatar
        pensitivity101

        Oh blimey, this is years ago when we were in Poole. (we left in 2007) and we haven’t had a TV since then anyway.

  3. ghostmmnc Avatar
    ghostmmnc

    Hadn’t thought of this song or heard it in such a long time. Love it! :)

    Reply
  4. tedstrutz Avatar
    tedstrutz

    I remember Walk Away Renee, but not this version. Nice choice.

    Reply
    1. The Abject Muse Avatar
      The Abject Muse

      :-)

      Reply
  5. newepicauthor Avatar
    newepicauthor

    Susan I totally agree with you about this song being haunting. Mike Brown said that he wrote this puppy love teenage heartbreak song because he felt like he was a lonely kid following this hot blonde down his one way street, putting their names/initials on the wall (in hope of getting her), crying, feeling empty without her.

    Reply
    1. The Abject Muse Avatar
      The Abject Muse

      Poor guy. I can so relate tp his angst,

      Reply

Whatcha think?