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