Walk don't run is an interesting tune. As some of us might remember it was a hit for The Ventures in the fall of 1960. The band took it from a record by jazz guitarist Johnny Smith, who composed it in - I believe - 1954-55, while fooling around with the old tune Softly, as in a morning sunrise.
Here is Johnny with his version of the tune:
And here's the maginicient Nelson Eddy with his version of Softly... from the movie version of the operett The new moon. Recognize the similarities?
Lyrics for Softly... was written by Oscar Hammerstein II. He also wrote lyrics for one of my favourite movies, Show boat. Plus a lot, lot more of musicals. Great talent!
But we're not through yet! Here's the rest: In January 1961 Del Shannon - almost singlehandedly - wrote his breakthrough hit Runaway. In an interview he said, that he had written the tune in late fall of 1960, while fooling around with the guitar. He had, he said, never heard that chord progression before (the A-minor-G-F-E).
Well, Del Shannon was a hero of mine. He had a fantastic voice. He could play the guitar. Good, too! And he always choose great guitars. Martin? Yep! Telecaster? Oh, yes! Gibson Firebird? He had it! Epiphone Batwings? He had these, too. And a few of them!
But would he exaggerate? In public? I guess he did. At least concerning that chord progress...
But I guess that's what you call Show Business!
