Having covered the points of the compass last week, we are now going to embark on a series on modes of transport. So today we begin with the most ancient and simplest form of transport – Walking. Walking (also known as ambulation) is one of the main gaits of terrestial locomotion among legged animals. Walking is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined by an ‘inverted pendulum’ gait in which the body vaults over the stiff limb or limbs with each step. This applies regardless of the usable number of limbs—even arthropods, with six, eight, or more limbs, walk. The word walk is descended from the Old English wealcan “to roll”. In humans and other bipeds, walking is generally distinguished from running in that only one foot at a time leaves contact with the ground and there is a period of double-support.
“I Walk the Line” is a song written and recorded in 1956 by Johnny Cash. After three attempts with moderate chart ratings, it became Cash’s first #1 hit on the Billboard, eventually reaching #17 on the US pop charts. The song remained on the record charts for over 43 weeks, and sold over two million copies. It has also been used on many LPs released from Sun Records. It was the title song for a 1970 film starring Gregory Peck and a 2005 biopic of Cash starring Joaquin Phoenix.
“Walkin’ After Midnight” is a song written by Alan Block and Donn Hecht and recorded by Patsy Cline. Originally Cline was not fond of “Walkin’ After Midnight”, but after making a compromise with her label she recorded it. However, the first released recording was by Lynn Howard with The Accents, released August 1956. In January 1957, Cline performed the song on an episode of the CBS television program Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts. It garnered a strong response from viewers and was therefore rush-released as a single in February 1957. “Walkin’ After Midnight” became Cline’s first major hit single, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Country Chart and No. 12 on its pop chart. Although the song was her only hit until 1961, the single version sold over one million copies and is often included on authoritative lists of the all-time greatest songs in country music.
“Walk Right In” is a country blues song written by musician Gus Cannon and originally recorded by Cannon’s Jug Stompers in 1929. Victor Records released it on a 78rpm record and in 1959, it was included on the influential compilation album The Country Blues. A revised version of the song by the Rooftop Singers, with the writing credits allocated to group members Erik Darling and Bill Svanoe, became an international hit in 1963.
“Walk Right Back” is a 1961 song by Sonny Curtis that was recorded by The Everly Brothers, and went to No. 7 on the U.S. Billboard chart. Overseas, the song went to No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for three weeks. Originally it was the B-side, then it was changed to the A-side.
“Walkin’ Back to Happiness” is a 1961 single by Helen Shapiro. The song was written by John Schroeder and Mike Hawker. With backing orchestrations by Norrie Paramor, the song was released in the United Kingdom on the Columbia (EMI) label in September 1961. It was number one in the UK for three weeks in October, but only reached #100 on the US Billboard, Shapiro’s only US chart appearance. The single sold over a million copies and earned Helen Shapiro a golden disc.
“You’ll Never Walk Alone” is a show tune from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carosel. In the second act of the musical, Nettie Fowler, the cousin of the protagonist Julie Jordan, sings “You’ll Never Walk Alone” to comfort and encourage Julie when her husband, Billy Bigelow, the male lead, falls on his knife and dies after a failed robbery attempt. The song is also sung at football clubs around the world, where it is performed by a massed chorus of supporters on match day; this tradition developed at Liverpool FC after the chart success of the 1963 single of the song by the local Liverpool group Gerry and the Pacemakers. In some areas of the UK and Europe, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” became the anthem of support for medical staff, first responders, and those in quarantine during the Covid-19.
“Walk On By” is a song composed by Burt Bacharach, with lyrics by Hal David, for singer Dionne Warwick in 1963. The song peaked at number 6 on the US Billboard and number 1 on the Cash Box Rhythm and Blues Chart In June 1964 and was nominated for a 1965 Grammy Award for the Best Rhythm and Blues Recording. Isaac Hayes recorded the song five years later, in 1969, and reached number 30 on the Hot 100 chart and number 13 in the R&B charts with his version. “Walk On By” has since charted numerous times in various countries, with wildly different arrangements.
