Great band! I remember hearing this song as a kid. The Left Banke was a baroque pop band in the 60's. Their two biggest hits were "Walk Away Renée" & "Pretty Ballerina".
Well I'm sitting alone in the dark, 73 years old, listening to Judy Collins Sisters of Mercy from 1967 and then I see your face asking "How have I never heard this?" I realize I haven't heard Pretty Ballerina since I was in high school in the '60's. Only the avante guard intellectual hippie types listened to it in my school - all four of us. Ha ha ha.
It was a big hit played all over the radio. People couldn’t miss it if they were listening and pretty much everyone was tuned into the radio in those days. Maybe everyone else you knew didn’t pay attention to it!
Your expressions when moved by musics is so touching and affecting I find myself smiling in tune... Thanks, it helps lighten the day. I've always loved this old wonderful piece. Makes me travel back in time, mine, and in history as well..... I'm in a medieval tower listing to music floating in the air......
i was intellectual but not especially avant guarde and certainly not a hippie, and I loved it! I think a lot of people our age did. Agree with you, good to hear it again.
@@DianeAvila-bv4fc The Left Banke first album is an excellent debut album for a garage band. Side one No. Title Writer(s) Length 1. "Pretty Ballerina" Michael Brown - 2:32 2. "She May Call You Up Tonight" Michael Brown, Steve Martin Caro - 2:18 3. "Barterers and Their Wives" Michael Brown, Tom Feher - 2:56 4. "I've Got Something on My Mind" Michael Brown, Steve Martin-Caro, George Cameron - 2:46 5. "Let Go of You Girl" Michael Brown, Steve Martin-Caro, George Cameron - 2:53 6. "Evening Gown" Michael Brown, Tom Feher - 1:46 Side two No. Title Writer(s) Length 1. "Walk Away Renée" Michael Brown, Tony Sansone, Bob Calilli - 2:40 2. "What Do You Know" Michael Brown, Tom Feher - 2:57 3. "Shadows Breaking Over My Head" Michael Brown, Steve Martin-Caro - 2:34 4. "I Haven't Got the Nerve" George Cameron, Steve Martin-Caro - 2:13 5. "Lazy Day" Michael Brown, Steve Martin-Caro - 2:24
I don't recall this song but I was a teenager then so I guess I just never heard it on the car radio. That's the only place I got my music. The group's name sounds very familiar however.
Pretty Ballerina, She May Call You Up Tonight and Walk Away Renee were all written by the piano player Michael Brown about his infatuation with the guitar players girlfriend, Renee Fladen. Wonderful music, filled with so many emotions...
As you might guess from my handle, a fact interesting to me is that singer Steve Martin's mother was the Flamenco guitarist Sarita Heredia. A Flamenco guitarist in the USA was rare enough, but a woman who was a Flamenco guitarist was even rarer and virtually unheard of, even back in the Spain of the family's origin.
"Walk Away Renee" and "Pretty Ballerina" feel like mini operas. So many emotions evoked. There have been quite a few covers of "Walk Away Renee", but they always sound just like standard pop tunes. (For the love of all, please world, don't let anyone try to autotune these treasures!)
DianeRinella If you listen to this cover song of Walk Away Renee” by Jimmy LaFave you won’t view it as just another pop song. The sense stress he uses emphasizes the angst he feels about the relationship that has ended.
Fil--You commented how crisp and clear the lyrics were. Thank goodness they were, because most of us in '66 were listening to those lyrics on AM radio stations. It wasn't until albums started printing the lyrics on the reverse that we found out we were missing so much. I was 17 at the time and the instrumental interlude was mind blowing. Nothing else on radio like it.
When I was 16 (1986) and was a bit of a burnout/stoner, my sis and I were driving around, listening to the radio when this song came on. I never heard it before and… I started crying. I don’t know if it was hormones or what😂 My sister slooowly looked over at me and started cracking up. It was just so beautiful that I couldn’t help it. She still makes fun of me for it. We later went and got a Left Banke album and it was so good! Great video👍
Yes!😢 Spot on! I think it was deliberate. That's the genius of them creating an "uneasy feeling" emotional hole as Fil musically demonstrate. Deep melancholic mood was a very style popular in those days of deep emotional reflection ❤❤❤❤❤
I am 68. I did not remember the song till I thought about the title and when I heard the song. Probably haven't heard this song in over 55 years. A beautiful track,indeed.
And this was written by a 15 year old, with the lead vocal by a 16 year old! Now, listen to "Walk Away Renee," which is even more amazing -- in fact, listen to their entire first LP, which is great all the way through!
I think they were 16 and 17 but still yeah so amazing! The fact someone that young wrote something so haunting and sophisticated musically, and then the singer's vocals nothing short of amazing!
Excellent analysis of how the melody is used to help tell a story by triggering our emotional responses. Rick Beato cited a university study about how musical compositions have become less complex over time and why music to some of us doesn’t sound as satisfying as it has in the past.
It doesn't sound as satisfying because machines do not have souls nor spirits. You can hear the beautifully imperfect sound of humans in a studio in recordings from the past. Now recordings are push-button creations and they sound exactly like what they are: machines duplicating instruments. I hear this is only going to get worse with AI. Guess we older trees with rings got the the crème de la crème of popular music while radio now churns out a strangely homogenous "product" that, despite us older folks' disapproval, is an apt reflection of the tech-obsessed and hyper-capitalistic world young people are trying to cope with today. As Pink Floyd once intoned, "Welcome to the machine"....
Pretty ballerinas & Walk away Renne, are both timeless classics. When I hear those songs, I'm instantly transported back to my youth, going to first dance parties.
It really is about the most perfect pop-rock song, isn't it? And so worthy it is to have gotten the Fil breakdown and analysis. After Fil's analysis, I took another look at their wiki page, just to refresh. How tragic that most of the members, if not all in that recording, have passed on. But great songs like this one, are eternal. And how cool is it to watch Fil smile as he takes in the great hooks this song features? His joy is like that of our own, as we first heard this song, a long time ago. The Left Banke may have been star crossed and short lived, but their two main songs remain eternal!
@@grimmertwin2148 Steeleye Span are not baroque. Maybe you are thinking of things like having a violin player, with some stuff like dulcimers and mandolins. Beautiful sound they have but I've never heard anyone call it baroque since it's such a folky or electric folk ensemble, where baroque is more classical music instruments. Maybe the lines are blurry but that's how I think of it
The Left Banke played at my Jr. Prom in 1966-67 at Westport's Staples HS in CT. They went to the same place I took my date to dinner to before the dance. My date was from England, and they were fascinated by that, so they ate with us before the dance. We talked quite a bit. I met many musicians who played in Wesstport. Steven Tallarico, who became Steven Tyler of Arrowsmith later played with them. The Left Banke drummer was a trans kid. I even played guitar some with Steven.
This analysis was just fascinating. You certainly do understand music theory and you explain how we are feeling emotionally when we hear a chords/ tunes/ words. Music touches our hearts, doesn’t it? You show us so much about that. Thank you, Fil!
I was supposed to see the Left Banke at a music gathering along with other music people ( Association and Brian Hyland) but for some reason they never came. I was very disappointed. I also liked their song Walk Away Renee. They had that interesting sound that made you want to keep listening tothem. I was 16 at the time 1967 and my girlfriends and I had to take the train to get to the city of the gathering. Lots of walking for us too. Unfortunately, we didn't pay attention to the time and we missed the last train for the day home. The station guy felt sorry for us and let us stay on one of the train cars until the next morning when we were able to take the train home. I was so disappointed not seeing the Left Bank but it was a fun music adventure. Thank you for talking about their great music 👍🙂👍
I was 15 when this came out in '67, so no wonder you never heard of it! Walk Away Renee was their most popular song. The sound of this song was different to me but now that you explained it, I get why it was different. I loved it. Some great songs back then for sure. Thanks for playing it Fil.❤
I saw them perform at a roller rink in Ohio when they were touring with several other acts (I think it was 1967). It was not well publicized and only about 100 people showed up. They came out and performed wonderfully despite the meager crowd. They managed to capture the sound of the records live (mostly because the vocals were so good).
This is wild. Love these songs. I’m in my 60s and these songs are deep in my heart. And these are just KIDS! Walk Away Renee and this songs are lovely.
Baroque pop or rock. Fil did an analysis of "She's Not There", an example of British baroque in 1964 by the Zombies (they were known for their clear enunciation). "Pretty Ballerina" is so atmospheric. Glad to learn why it sounds so unusual.
He did? Fil has so many song analyses and I don't know where to start (or continue). I'm definitely checking his analysis of 'She's Not There', as the song gives me goosebumps (in a good way) and release, one after the other. Thanks!
Over 700 comments, so someone may have mentioned this already, but Alice Cooper does a great cover of "Pretty Ballerina" from his 2005 album "Dirty Diamonds".
Steve Martin Caro was only 18 when he sang this song. What a beautiful voice! I believe they were ALL just teenagers. Amazing! The song is hauntingly beautiful! It always stops me in my tracks when I hear it. Thanks for this one! So, now do. "Walk Away Renee" next! The flip side.
1966 was a watershed for music. The Beatles revolution had spawned a new universe of groups that would rise, fall, and leave behind timeless masterpieces. The diversity in style and composition peaked that year.
8:40 I believe the tritone is called "The Devil's Interval."👹 The example that's often cited is "Maria" from West Side Story. (Bernstein used it a lot in that score.)
@@craigplatel813when Fil played that odd chord I immediately flashed on Purple Haze. Fil said it sounded a little disturbing. My 25 year old daughter had another word for it - "creepy." I think she was referring more to the lyrics, especially the last verse when the girl becomes imaginary and he repeats "she'll be there. She'll be there...."
😎👍 I always tell young people who accidentally discover this track, that there are two other singles that date from this same period (late 1966 - early 1967) that will also blow them away. Check out "You're A Very Lovely Woman" by The Merry-Go-Round and "She Comes In Colors" by Love. Baroque 'n Roll is an extremely captivating genre of music. 🎻
My 7 year older brother had a Left Banke album in the late 60's/early 70's, so I was familiar with the band. I had not heard this song until a few years ago, and instantly fell in love with it. You're right - once you've heard it you don't forget it. Enjoyed your analysis!
I'm 60 and I love this song. I I was born here in Southern California in the 1963. This song reminds me of cruising to the beach listening to groovy tunes like this on the radio. ✌🏼☮️
Great analysis! I *think* I've heard this song before, though it wasn't totally familiar, and I liked it instantly. When you explained about the raised 4th, I realised that this is exactly why I liked it instantly! I'm not always good at picking it out, but I like those notes that make people feel "uneasy".
When I was a kid, I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was that made this tune mesmerizing and hypnotic. The sustained note on the violin, sure; but there was something very interesting going on with the piano notes. Now I know! Thanks, Fil! This song is an example of what some call “Baroque rock” or “Baroque pop.” _Ruby Tuesday_ and _Lady Jane_ by The Stones and _For No One_ by The Beatles also qualify, IMO.
My all-time favorite song is 'Walk Away, Renee'. And yes, I have that Greatest Hits LP. I have always loved "Pretty Ballerina'. Thank you SO much for this!! 💚💜💙
Phil should know how grateful his viewers are for his efforts to expand the public’s appreciation for music. It is so generous for this expert teacher to share his erudition in a way accessible and entertaining to all. And we are all grateful a treasure trove of real music still exists to explore. The fraud of digital manipulation in modern music would be grounds for a class-action lawsuit in any other industry.
Took me back to the mid 1960's which was such a melting pot of musical styles. I love the orchestration throughout, but at 2:14 is brilliant. They also did "Walk Away Renee" that was covered in a soul version by the Four Tops on Motown.
I always loved this song when I was younger. I still love it. Glad you discovered it Fil. I was 12 when this came out. Just started listening to the radio while in the car with my parents or the transistor when in my bedroom. This was a great groupl.
Wow, it's been a minute. Love it, love it, love it. I also loved your smile at certain points during the song, and now I understand why. The Lydian chords. So cool to see people's reactions to intruiging music. Thanks for this, Fil.
Thank you for taking a look at this song. As you said, “ once you’ve heard it, you can’t get it out of your head.”. While rare, the times I’ve heard this on radio, it’s a bit of a celebration to hear it again.
The “Walk Away Renee/Pretty Ballerina” was a favourite 45 I had as a kid. The next song I heard on AM radio of the day was “Desiree” which I hope to hear someone react to.
Hello Fil. You make such honest and pleasant videos, thank you. I have always been moved by this tune. As for the mood of a song, I certainly agree with the suggestion made many times below: Walk Away Renee. It is about the same love tragedy. Can't get it out of my head now that I have heard Pretty Ballerina again. Regards, Paul (Netherland)
One of the songs that Michael Brown wrote about singer Renee Fladen, the girlfriend of Left Banke guitarist Tom Finn and the object of Brown's affections. I first noticed this song watching the 1988 Movie 'Off Limits' as the song features quite well there, I must have heard it before as it's used in 'Apocalypse Now' from '79 as well. Not to mention it hit #4 back in the day here in Canada. Great tune, a regular on my playlist. Cheers.
Arguably a one-and-a-half-hit wonder, The Left Banke with their second song, _Pretty Ballerina,_ struck a chord in my heart during my college years, when I was just learning guitar. It was so unlike the typical top-40 songs of those days, that it really stood out as an original (much the way _Along Comes Mary_ and a few other songs by The Association did). So thanks ever so much for covering (and recognizing!) this intriguingly enigmatic song. Over the decades I've cultivated an intuitive feel for chord changes, but never learned about modes except passingly (from one point of view, playing a major scale starting somewhere other than the tonic). But here I recognized that, and that the "discomfort" you describe is from the resulting tritone (the "most irrational" number, √2). And as you sort of hinted briefly, surely central to the song's "weirdness," is that the lyrics describe a surreal encounter/experience (was all that a dream?), fitting so well with the melody. Fred
Brilliant analysis! I though that I had not heard this song before either, but as soon as the first few notes came on, it took me right back. We were so lucky in the 60s to have such a variety of sounds and song construction.
I'm a huge music lover of all pop music going back to the 60s but I didn't hear this song until a few years ago when I was cleaning the house of an elderly man who had the 60s music channel playing on his TV. I was so intrigued by it that I walked into the living room to ask him about it. He couldn't believe I'd never heard it before. I'd heard of the Left Banke but this seemed to be a lost gem. I still can't get over how young these guys were when they recorded it.
Very nice ! Another forgotten band is the Zombies and their wonderful album "Odessey and oracle" ! Just listen to the first song "Care Of Cell 44" and you won't stop till the end of the album, I promise !
Fil, thanks for diving into this...very insightful, as usual. Wikipedia has a very interesting write up on how this band was formed along with twist and turns along the way. All original bandmates have since passed away from 2015-2020. I still listen to Don't walk away Renee with pleasure and now have the backstory (via Wiki) on Renee. 69 yr old fan.
I've never heard it before either, but what an awesome song. I love that awkward almost 'made a mistake' feeling running throughout the whole tune. I'll definitely be listening to this again. Thank you Fil. Brilliant record!
Absolutely love the strange melody in this song. I have heard it, but not as much as their bigger hit Walk Away Renee. I think the crazy intervals in the melody and dissonance against the chord structure is a big part of what makes the song so unforgettable. that and the smoothness of that vocal.
Right from the start Fil frames this wonderful song nicely, that "once you've heard it you can never forget it", which is how he know he hadn't heard it before... and he's absolutely right. This song has been haunting me my entire life - it's devastatingly sweet. Very interesting about the raised forth, which I definately always noticed but didn't know what to call it. Cool.
Brother Louie is a cover of a Hot Chocolate song that the band Stories recorded in a desperate attempt at a hit (they succeeded) but has nothing to do with Michael Brown who had left the band by that point. To hear some of the wonderful music they did record that was largely composed by Brown, check out the first two albums by the band, especially the second, “About Us”. They are thankfully about as far from Brother Louie as you can get.
I just love when you "find" music that I grew up with. I was 10 when I first heard Just Walk Away Renee.... it seems like just yesterday. I hear the opening chords & know exactly what words are coming! Thanks for reviewing. SO many good bands in the late 60's & 70's. Grateful that I was around & heard so many of these bands everyday; AM radio was where it was at!!!
I have loved this song since the first time I heard it. The Lydian scale creates such an other-worldly sound, IMO. "Just close your eyes," as the lyrics say, and drift off with this Baroque rock classic.
That's a really neat song! I lived through those wonderful times, but I've never heard that song before either. I did hear "Walk Away Renee'" many times, but never heard "Pretty Ballerina" till today. It's very unusual, and really good.
Fil, thank you for covering this beautiful song! I remember hearing this on the radio when I was a child...I would have been about 8 yrs old when this came out and my husband about 14. It is one of the husband and mine's favorites from back in the day. They also did Walk Away, Renee. The Left Banke....what beautiful music makers! I think the disection you did of this song and "the devil's note" explains exactly why we are drawn to this song. Edit: We referred to this type of music as "baroque rock" back then. I haven't heard that term used in a long time.
It seems that baroque rock is unique to the 60s. It's incredible to me that a 16 year old was able to, first of all, write something so sophisticated musically, and secondly, to impart everything he felt for the girlfriend of his bandmate at the time.
@@lauraallen55 My sentiments also. I often think, when listening to my favorites from my youth, how astounding the musical abilities of young men in their teens to mid-twenties was...and the lyrics written.
It really was an amazing time for music. I hope it gets back to that someday. It seems there are far more young women in music today, which is a good thing. However, I'm not a fan of all the Autotune and pitch-correction that's so prevalent now.@@fumblebunny1993
Love this song. Listened to it over and over. The lyric is so sad, he dared to confess his feelings and got friendzoned. Been there, done that. It is shattering. The arrangement is so good.. The musical tension created with the lifted 4th is prescient and turns a pop tune into something more.
Hi Fil, I had never heard this cool song before, but I liked it! Such an accurate vocal, I was watching the pitch monitoring software and just amazing to hear him sing. Had hints of Madrigal songs and heard a bit of a Doors influence. Really great song to analyze for today with so many interesting musical things going on… You Rock… Love Ya’ Debbie☮️
Interesting, although I think this song came out before the Doors' music. The songwriter was 16 at the time he wrote it, and wrote it and Walk Away Renee (even catchier than this one!) about his bandmate's girlfriend. Oh, the singer was 18 when they had these two hits.
One of my favorite songs for all the analysis points that FIL mentioned. I loved lyrics as well. Very creative production. Thanks for a yet another great analysis video Fil! (DesertDeluge)
This and "Walk Away Renee" are two absolute perfect pop songs, and they perfectly define their era. When I hear either one, I'm instantly transported to a place and time I never really knew, but imagine in my head.
i was born in 1965 and this song has always been one of my favourite songs. i think some of the members went on to form the band Stories in the early 70s.
I loved this song, I was 12 when it came out. Glad you're hearing it now. It's so beautiful, haunting. Mood like Dangerous Type by the Cars....something sad and lonely about it.
When I was a kid I didn't get the ending and thought the guy was just bragging, so I didn't like it, ha! As an adult I realized what it actually meant and have been obsessed with it ever since!
I remember this haunting, beautiful song from my youth. Thanks for reviving it. It’s not featured nearly enough. Great music lesson- Thank you for that, too!
Fil, another comment and song suggestion from February 1967. A few years ago I worked out Pretty Ballerina in the key of E (with some help from You Tube and Chordie. Yes, the song has some unusual twists! Another interesting song is “My World Fell Down” by Sagittarius, one of those studio groups made up of the Wrecking Crew and produced by Gary Usher. The single featured Glen Campbell singing, with Bruce Johnston and Terry Melcher.
Thank you! What an interesting song that is. I hadn't heard it before (nor the phrase mentioned below/above 'Baroque Pop' which seems perfect for this as a genre). Beautiful vocal, simple backing and yes, that elevated 4th to resolution, all make this eerie. Great little review!
Check out their other hit Walk Away Renee! The history of the two songs is really interesting. The band members were all in their teens, and 16 year old Michael Brown was in love with the bassist's girlfriend (Renee Fladen) and managed to write something so sophisticated musically as well as impart his feelings so perfectly as well.
Great band! I remember hearing this song as a kid. The Left Banke was a baroque pop band in the 60's. Their two biggest hits were "Walk Away Renée" & "Pretty Ballerina".
Just listened to ‘Walk Away Renee’. Another masterpiece.
Oh my brings back Jr high memories.
Had this on vinyl; good times.
I remember “Walk Away Reneé,” but I hadn’t heard this song prior to now.
I was a sophomore in high school in the USA, so of course I know these songs, but Walkaway Renee is a classic.
Well I'm sitting alone in the dark, 73 years old, listening to Judy Collins Sisters of Mercy from 1967 and then I see your face asking "How have I never heard this?" I realize I haven't heard Pretty Ballerina since I was in high school in the '60's. Only the avante guard intellectual hippie types listened to it in my school - all four of us. Ha ha ha.
It was a big hit played all over the radio. People couldn’t miss it if they were listening and pretty much everyone was tuned into the radio in those days. Maybe everyone else you knew didn’t pay attention to it!
I'm 71 and I remember awkwardly dancing with girls at parent chaperoned dances to this song.
brings back fond memories.
Your expressions when moved by musics is so touching and affecting I find myself smiling in tune... Thanks, it helps lighten the day. I've always loved this old wonderful piece. Makes me travel back in time, mine, and in history as well..... I'm in a medieval tower listing to music floating in the air......
i was intellectual but not especially avant guarde and certainly not a hippie, and I loved it! I think a lot of people our age did. Agree with you, good to hear it again.
Wow I don't know how I missed this song either but I'm younger... still, I play all kinds of music! it's really nice
No surprise you haven’t heard this, you’re not 65 like me. Great job. Big thanks for requesting this whoever you are. Adding to my playlist!
One of the good things about us being this age is that we have the soundtracks of these songs in our memories.
Getting old is not that bad!
How wonderful that this magical song is still appreciated! I was obsessed with Walk Away Reneé.
Me too! Walk Away Renee always got to me.@@traceymicolucci1151
@@DianeAvila-bv4fc The Left Banke first album is an excellent debut album for a garage band.
Side one
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Pretty Ballerina" Michael Brown - 2:32
2. "She May Call You Up Tonight" Michael Brown, Steve Martin Caro - 2:18
3. "Barterers and Their Wives" Michael Brown, Tom Feher - 2:56
4. "I've Got Something on My Mind" Michael Brown, Steve Martin-Caro, George Cameron - 2:46
5. "Let Go of You Girl" Michael Brown, Steve Martin-Caro, George Cameron - 2:53
6. "Evening Gown" Michael Brown, Tom Feher - 1:46
Side two
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Walk Away Renée" Michael Brown, Tony Sansone, Bob Calilli - 2:40
2. "What Do You Know" Michael Brown, Tom Feher - 2:57
3. "Shadows Breaking Over My Head" Michael Brown, Steve Martin-Caro - 2:34
4. "I Haven't Got the Nerve" George Cameron, Steve Martin-Caro - 2:13
5. "Lazy Day" Michael Brown, Steve Martin-Caro - 2:24
I'm old enough to know this group, this song and still love it. 🥰
Elaine, is this the same group that did " Walk Away Renee "? I do know that song !
@@veramilton833 Yes. Same group!
I'm amazed that they were still in their teens when they
put those songs out. @@Elaine_Parhamovich
I don't recall this song but I was a teenager then so I guess I just never heard it on the car radio. That's the only place I got my music. The group's name sounds very familiar however.
I'm old enough to know this group and song, too! (DesertDeluge)
Pretty Ballerina, She May Call You Up Tonight and Walk Away Renee were all written by the piano player Michael Brown about his infatuation with the guitar players girlfriend, Renee Fladen. Wonderful music, filled with so many emotions...
Whatever happened to Renee Fladen?!
I think about these things!
As you might guess from my handle, a fact interesting to me is that singer Steve Martin's mother was the Flamenco guitarist Sarita Heredia. A Flamenco guitarist in the USA was rare enough, but a woman who was a Flamenco guitarist was even rarer and virtually unheard of, even back in the Spain of the family's origin.
Can you say Charo?
@@BobSebring Nope! Just playing one
Malagueña over and over does not make one a Flamenco guitarrista. Anyway, she was much later than Sarita.
@@flamencoprof Saritas record is a daily play because its so live. new speakers and so present. her voicing is not the greatest and she is there.
@@wesmiddaugh230 What is the title?
@@flamencoprof Flamenco Fire on World Pacific, the movie Endless Summer was a WP production and same presencd.
This was on the B side of "Walk Away Renee" as a 45 that I bought way back then.
Awe, I remember Walk away Renee..loved that song!
It was actually the follow-up hit
"I Haven't Got The Nerve" was the B-side of "Walk Away Renee". "Pretty Ballerina" was the A-side of their second single. It was backed by "Lazy Day".
I had them as 2 separate singles.
Those were the days my friend. ❤
"Walk Away Renee" and "Pretty Ballerina" feel like mini operas. So many emotions evoked. There have been quite a few covers of "Walk Away Renee", but they always sound just like standard pop tunes. (For the love of all, please world, don't let anyone try to autotune these treasures!)
I think they are doomed 🥺
The Temptations did a good job.
Soulful / Motown
Thanks. I'll check that one out. The Association did one in the 80s. Very pop! @@jimfritz2087
DianeRinella If you listen to this cover song of Walk Away Renee” by Jimmy LaFave you won’t view it as just another pop song. The sense stress he uses emphasizes the angst he feels about the relationship that has ended.
Thanks! I will totally check it out. @@gretabrunswick5566
Fil--You commented how crisp and clear the lyrics were. Thank goodness they were, because most of us in '66 were listening to those lyrics on AM radio stations. It wasn't until albums started printing the lyrics on the reverse that we found out we were missing so much. I was 17 at the time and the instrumental interlude was mind blowing. Nothing else on radio like it.
Pretty incredible that a 16 year old wrote this (and their other hit Walk Away Renee) about his bandmate's girlfriend. Musically gifted!
It’s a magic, hypnotic song. Especially with that unique vocal!
When I was 16 (1986) and was a bit of a burnout/stoner, my sis and I were driving around, listening to the radio when this song came on. I never heard it before and… I started crying. I don’t know if it was hormones or what😂 My sister slooowly looked over at me and started cracking up. It was just so beautiful that I couldn’t help it. She still makes fun of me for it. We later went and got a Left Banke album and it was so good!
Great video👍
boo on the sis
I miss my sister.
Great story
You have a lovely voice for this song! Have you done the Beau Brummels? This was the real Flower power!🌹
@@donnahilton471 👍to the Beau Brummels!
Yes!😢 Spot on! I think it was deliberate. That's the genius of them creating an "uneasy feeling" emotional hole as Fil musically demonstrate.
Deep melancholic mood was a very style popular in those days of deep emotional reflection ❤❤❤❤❤
I am 68. I did not remember the song till I thought about the title and when I heard the song. Probably haven't heard this song in over 55 years. A beautiful track,indeed.
And this was written by a 15 year old, with the lead vocal by a 16 year old! Now, listen to "Walk Away Renee," which is even more amazing -- in fact, listen to their entire first LP, which is great all the way through!
I think they were 16 and 17 but still yeah so amazing! The fact someone that young wrote something so haunting and sophisticated musically, and then the singer's vocals nothing short of amazing!
Likewise, I seem to recall that the lead singer of the Boxtops was like 16 or 17 too.
@@Support_Ad_Blocker 16. I just read up on him a few days ago. He was asked to do the raspy sound singing The Letter.
Yes, I just went to listen to them again and there's more "discordant" melodies there which are very interesting to hear AND feel.
yes walk away and ballerina i loved to listen to on radio. have the album on vinyl original pressing
I'm 62, and after all these years "Walk Away Renee" can still bring tears to my eyes--just the melody, but the lyrics help!
I'm the same age, and I also really liked a similar song from the same period: EDISON LIGHTHOUSE love grows where my rosemary goes
@@splitimage137. Yes!
Same here and I am 74 !!!
I'm your age and this song has the same effect on me - so melancholy...
Good word B. ! So many thoughts and memories.@@bohemian6103
Excellent analysis of how the melody is used to help tell a story by triggering our emotional responses. Rick Beato cited a university study about how musical compositions have become less complex over time and why music to some of us doesn’t sound as satisfying as it has in the past.
Rick doesn't get much wrong.
Possibly less soul in the music these days.
Constant dark times.
I feel sorry for the kids today.
It's not their fault.
It doesn't sound as satisfying because machines do not have souls nor spirits. You can hear the beautifully imperfect sound of humans in a studio in recordings from the past. Now recordings are push-button creations and they sound exactly like what they are: machines duplicating instruments. I hear this is only going to get worse with AI. Guess we older trees with rings got the the crème de la crème of popular music while radio now churns out a strangely homogenous "product" that, despite us older folks' disapproval, is an apt reflection of the tech-obsessed and hyper-capitalistic world young people are trying to cope with today. As Pink Floyd once intoned, "Welcome to the machine"....
when Fil gets that smile, you know it's gonna be good. That piano riff is so good
love it too
right, the smile, you know he likes it : )
Pretty ballerinas & Walk away Renne, are both timeless classics. When I hear those songs, I'm instantly transported back to my youth, going to first dance parties.
It really is about the most perfect pop-rock song, isn't it? And so worthy it is to have gotten the Fil breakdown and analysis. After Fil's analysis, I took another look at their wiki page, just to refresh. How tragic that most of the members, if not all in that recording, have passed on. But great songs like this one, are eternal. And how cool is it to watch Fil smile as he takes in the great hooks this song features? His joy is like that of our own, as we first heard this song, a long time ago. The Left Banke may have been star crossed and short lived, but their two main songs remain eternal!
I remember this song very well. Thank you for explaining what makes it so good. I now have a new appreciation for it.
They were dubbed Baroque Rock. Utilizing harpsichord and strings, etc.
Before Steeleye Span?
@@grimmertwin2148
Yes.
@@grimmertwin2148 Steeleye Span are not baroque. Maybe you are thinking of things like having a violin player, with some stuff like dulcimers and mandolins. Beautiful sound they have but I've never heard anyone call it baroque since it's such a folky or electric folk ensemble, where baroque is more classical music instruments. Maybe the lines are blurry but that's how I think of it
I am amazed by how upbeat and informative the comments are on Phil’s channel. Just a pleasure to read them.
The Left Banke played at my Jr. Prom in 1966-67 at Westport's Staples HS in CT. They went to the same place I took my date to dinner to before the dance. My date was from England, and they were fascinated by that, so they ate with us before the dance. We talked quite a bit.
I met many musicians who played in Wesstport. Steven Tallarico, who became Steven Tyler of Arrowsmith later played with them. The Left Banke drummer was a trans kid. I even played guitar some with Steven.
Loved The Left Banke. They only charted with 2 songs but they were both so memorable.
Glad you found it! These guys produced two of the most hauntingly beautiful songs of the 60s. Great work on your part, as always.
Iam 77 I remember very well, I like them and the Beau Brummels!
I was 12 when this tune hit the radio, and I have liked it ever since.
BUT, it's your genuine smile of delight that says it all.
Yes!! I loved seeing Fil enjoy it!
He is so cute! (Says this granny). 😊
Shows my age here. That was the flip side of Walk Away Renee. When I got the 45 I was jazzed to hear that song too. for me it was a "two fer"
This analysis was just fascinating. You certainly do understand music theory and you explain how we are feeling emotionally when we hear a chords/ tunes/ words. Music touches our hearts, doesn’t it? You show us so much about that. Thank you, Fil!
once saw this Music is what feelings sound like
If you haven't done their other hit "Walk Away Renee" it might be worth a dive to explain why it's still so popular after almost 60 years.
A comparative analysis of their version with the Four Tops' version would be quite interesting. Both are brilliant, but in different ways.
@@pcno2832 Agree!
I was 9 years old in '66 when it came out, and got to see them in 2012. It is truly an unforgettable song!
Excellent. Was a Big TopTen hit here in Canada 🇨🇦. I remember it all over the radio here as a kid. Love it.
I was supposed to see the Left Banke at a music gathering along with other music people ( Association and Brian Hyland) but for some reason they never came. I was very disappointed. I also liked their song Walk Away Renee. They had that interesting sound that made you want to keep listening tothem. I was 16 at the time 1967 and my girlfriends and I had to take the train to get to the city of the gathering. Lots of walking for us too. Unfortunately, we didn't pay attention to the time and we missed the last train for the day home. The station guy felt sorry for us and let us stay on one of the train cars until the next morning when we were able to take the train home. I was so disappointed not seeing the Left Bank but it was a fun music adventure. Thank you for talking about their great music 👍🙂👍
I have always loved this group and their unique sound or approach to music is the reason why. They sound like no one else.
I was 15 when this came out in '67, so no wonder you never heard of it! Walk Away Renee was their most popular song. The sound of this song was different to me but now that you explained it, I get why it was different. I loved it. Some great songs back then for sure. Thanks for playing it Fil.❤
I saw them perform at a roller rink in Ohio when they were touring with several other acts (I think it was 1967). It was not well publicized and only about 100 people showed up. They came out and performed wonderfully despite the meager crowd. They managed to capture the sound of the records live (mostly because the vocals were so good).
This is wild. Love these songs. I’m in my 60s and these songs are deep in my heart. And these are just KIDS! Walk Away Renee and this songs are lovely.
Baroque pop or rock. Fil did an analysis of "She's Not There", an example of British baroque in 1964 by the Zombies (they were known for their clear enunciation). "Pretty Ballerina" is so atmospheric. Glad to learn why it sounds so unusual.
He did? Fil has so many song analyses and I don't know where to start (or continue). I'm definitely checking his analysis of 'She's Not There', as the song gives me goosebumps (in a good way) and release, one after the other. Thanks!
Over 700 comments, so someone may have mentioned this already, but Alice Cooper does a great cover of "Pretty Ballerina" from his 2005 album "Dirty Diamonds".
Steve Martin Caro was only 18 when he sang this song. What a beautiful voice! I believe they were ALL just teenagers. Amazing!
The song is hauntingly beautiful! It always stops me in my tracks when I hear it. Thanks for this one! So, now do. "Walk Away Renee" next! The flip side.
Actually he was 17 when the song was released in July, he turned 18 in October
1966 was a watershed for music. The Beatles revolution had spawned a new universe of groups that would rise, fall, and leave behind timeless masterpieces. The diversity in style and composition peaked that year.
8:40 I believe the tritone is called "The Devil's Interval."👹 The example that's often cited is "Maria" from West Side Story. (Bernstein used it a lot in that score.)
@LazloMortimer Indeed!
Tuxedomoon's "Tritone (Musica Diablo)" also?
I've always heard it referenced in relation to purple haze by Hendrix and black Sabbath by black Sabbath
@@craigplatel813when Fil played that odd chord I immediately flashed on Purple Haze.
Fil said it sounded a little disturbing.
My 25 year old daughter had another word for it - "creepy."
I think she was referring more to the lyrics, especially the last verse when the girl becomes imaginary and he repeats "she'll be there. She'll be there...."
So glad this song found you! It is a great tune- has held up well over the years and yes, excellent vocal performance
😎👍 I always tell young people who accidentally discover this track, that there are two other singles that date from this same period (late 1966 - early 1967) that will also blow them away. Check out "You're A Very Lovely Woman" by The Merry-Go-Round and "She Comes In Colors" by Love. Baroque 'n Roll is an extremely captivating genre of music. 🎻
My 7 year older brother had a Left Banke album in the late 60's/early 70's, so I was familiar with the band. I had not heard this song until a few years ago, and instantly fell in love with it. You're right - once you've heard it you don't forget it. Enjoyed your analysis!
I love this song and it always reminds me of an early Peter Hammill vocal.
I'm 60 and I love this song. I I was born here in Southern California in the 1963. This song reminds me of cruising to the beach listening to groovy tunes like this on the radio. ✌🏼☮️
Have never stopped playing this album since it was new. She May Call You Up Tonight is another great track
Great analysis! I *think* I've heard this song before, though it wasn't totally familiar, and I liked it instantly. When you explained about the raised 4th, I realised that this is exactly why I liked it instantly! I'm not always good at picking it out, but I like those notes that make people feel "uneasy".
When I was a kid, I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was that made this tune mesmerizing and hypnotic. The sustained note on the violin, sure; but there was something very interesting going on with the piano notes. Now I know! Thanks, Fil!
This song is an example of what some call “Baroque rock” or “Baroque pop.” _Ruby Tuesday_ and _Lady Jane_ by The Stones and _For No One_ by The Beatles also qualify, IMO.
My all-time favorite song is 'Walk Away, Renee'. And yes, I have that Greatest Hits LP. I have always loved "Pretty Ballerina'. Thank you SO much for this!! 💚💜💙
Phil should know how grateful his viewers are for his efforts to expand the public’s appreciation for music. It is so generous for this expert teacher to share his erudition in a way accessible and entertaining to all. And we are all grateful a treasure trove of real music still exists to explore. The fraud of digital manipulation in modern music would be grounds for a class-action lawsuit in any other industry.
This is a great love song from my past. I remember it well. Many thanks, FIL, for reviewing this gorgeous Pop ballad.
Since first watching this video, I’ve listened to Pretty Ballerina hundreds of times (counting it playing in my head).
Took me back to the mid 1960's which was such a melting pot of musical styles. I love the orchestration throughout, but at 2:14 is brilliant. They also did "Walk Away Renee" that was covered in a soul version by the Four Tops on Motown.
I always loved this song when I was younger. I still love it. Glad you discovered it Fil. I was 12 when this came out. Just started listening to the radio while in the car with my parents or the transistor when in my bedroom. This was a great groupl.
I'm 65 and never heard it.
I remember Walk Away Renee.
That's why I clicked on Fil.
You probably didnt have their LP. My brother had it but I didnt hear it til the ‘70’s and thought it equal to Walk Away Renee.
Wow, it's been a minute. Love it, love it, love it. I also loved your smile at certain points during the song, and now I understand why. The Lydian chords. So cool to see people's reactions to intruiging music. Thanks for this, Fil.
Thank you for taking a look at this song. As you said, “ once you’ve heard it, you can’t get it out of your head.”. While rare, the times I’ve heard this on radio, it’s a bit of a celebration to hear it again.
This is such a great song. A fave of mine from when it was a hit on the radio all those years ago. Thank you, Fil.
Thanks Phil for profiling this great band. Unfortunately Steve Martin Cato died at 71 in relative obscurity. Voice of an angel.
Carmelo Esteban "Steve" Martin Caro.
The “Walk Away Renee/Pretty Ballerina” was a favourite 45 I had as a kid. The next song I heard on AM radio of the day was “Desiree” which I hope to hear someone react to.
Fil, there is a reason we Boomers are so cool, this is our music.
And so far out!
Absolutely !!
We had the music, the clothes and the cars!
Hello Fil. You make such honest and pleasant videos, thank you. I have always been moved by this tune.
As for the mood of a song, I certainly agree with the suggestion made many times below: Walk Away Renee. It is about the same love tragedy. Can't get it out of my head now that I have heard Pretty Ballerina again.
Regards,
Paul (Netherland)
Beautiful baroque pop. I fell in love with this tune fifty years ago.
You are perfect for this “job” ….. your vast musical knowledge is appreciated!
One of the songs that Michael Brown wrote about singer Renee Fladen, the girlfriend of Left Banke guitarist Tom Finn and the object of Brown's affections. I first noticed this song watching the 1988 Movie 'Off Limits' as the song features quite well there, I must have heard it before as it's used in 'Apocalypse Now' from '79 as well. Not to mention it hit #4 back in the day here in Canada. Great tune, a regular on my playlist. Cheers.
Brings back so many memories, I’m now 70. Terrific !
Me too😎❤️
Almost there !!!
72 and still functional. Kind of. Peace 🎉🎉🎉
This band had such a 60s sound! Love it! "Walk away Renee was wonderful as wel! Thanks Fil!!! ✌️💜l
Yeah,the 1860's which is so cool
I loved this song left banke was my fav my era as a teen. Made me feel like a ballerina. Great work close your eyes
Arguably a one-and-a-half-hit wonder, The Left Banke with their second song, _Pretty Ballerina,_ struck a chord in my heart during my college years, when I was just learning guitar.
It was so unlike the typical top-40 songs of those days, that it really stood out as an original (much the way _Along Comes Mary_ and a few other songs by The Association did).
So thanks ever so much for covering (and recognizing!) this intriguingly enigmatic song.
Over the decades I've cultivated an intuitive feel for chord changes, but never learned about modes except passingly (from one point of view, playing a major scale starting somewhere other than the tonic). But here I recognized that, and that the "discomfort" you describe is from the resulting tritone (the "most irrational" number, √2).
And as you sort of hinted briefly, surely central to the song's "weirdness," is that the lyrics describe a surreal encounter/experience (was all that a dream?), fitting so well with the melody.
Fred
Such a gorgeous song…sad most original members have passed
Glad you found this song !
It was requested (by me and at least one other person)!
I'm so glad you analyzed this song; besides the memories, I really enjoyed learning about its unusual structure.
Brilliant analysis! I though that I had not heard this song before either, but as soon as the first few notes came on, it took me right back. We were so lucky in the 60s to have such a variety of sounds and song construction.
I'm a huge music lover of all pop music going back to the 60s but I didn't hear this song until a few years ago when I was cleaning the house of an elderly man who had the 60s music channel playing on his TV. I was so intrigued by it that I walked into the living room to ask him about it. He couldn't believe I'd never heard it before. I'd heard of the Left Banke but this seemed to be a lost gem. I still can't get over how young these guys were when they recorded it.
Very nice ! Another forgotten band is the Zombies and their wonderful album "Odessey and oracle" ! Just listen to the first song "Care Of Cell 44" and you won't stop till the end of the album, I promise !
I put that album right up there with Sgt. Pepper and Pet Sounds.
Totally agree! Thanks for mentioning it.
Fil, thanks for diving into this...very insightful, as usual. Wikipedia has a very interesting write up on how this band was formed along with twist and turns along the way. All original bandmates have since passed away from 2015-2020. I still listen to Don't walk away Renee with pleasure and now have the backstory (via Wiki) on Renee. 69 yr old fan.
I've never heard it before either, but what an awesome song.
I love that awkward almost 'made a mistake' feeling running throughout the whole tune.
I'll definitely be listening to this again.
Thank you Fil.
Brilliant record!
This always makes me cry. The vocals and music are so emotional. Beautiful ❤
Absolutely love the strange melody in this song. I have heard it, but not as much as their bigger hit Walk Away Renee. I think the crazy intervals in the melody and dissonance against the chord structure is a big part of what makes the song so unforgettable. that and the smoothness of that vocal.
Right from the start Fil frames this wonderful song nicely, that "once you've heard it you can never forget it", which is how he know he hadn't heard it before... and he's absolutely right. This song has been haunting me my entire life - it's devastatingly sweet. Very interesting about the raised forth, which I definately always noticed but didn't know what to call it. Cool.
Keyboardist / Composer Mike Brown was a member of The Stories who did "Brother Louie" 1973
That's why it reminded me of The Stories (even the cover in the thumbnail). Thank you!
@Wings of Pegasus Is this a scam account impersonating you? Their messages are multiplying fast under this video.
Oh cool! I love that song. I still have the 45 I bought as a kid.
@@johnnyb8250 I also couldn't stand brother Louie .
Brother Louie is a cover of a Hot Chocolate song that the band Stories recorded in a desperate attempt at a hit (they succeeded) but has nothing to do with Michael Brown who had left the band by that point. To hear some of the wonderful music they did record that was largely composed by Brown, check out the first two albums by the band, especially the second, “About Us”. They are thankfully about as far from Brother Louie as you can get.
I just love when you "find" music that I grew up with. I was 10 when I first heard Just Walk Away Renee.... it seems like just yesterday. I hear the opening chords & know exactly what words are coming! Thanks for reviewing. SO many good bands in the late 60's & 70's. Grateful that I was around & heard so many of these bands everyday; AM radio was where it was at!!!
He had some help finding this one. ;)
Brilliant and brief analysis of a brilliant and brief song. I've always liked this song, as well as their other hit (Walk Away, Renee). Thanks, Fil!
I have loved this song since the first time I heard it. The Lydian scale creates such an other-worldly sound, IMO. "Just close your eyes," as the lyrics say, and drift off with this Baroque rock classic.
I am glad when young pups (No offense intended) like you get to discover and enjoy the music I grew up with.
me too
@@jennifursun3303 me three!
I love The Left Banke. I bought a compilation CD back in the ‘90s. All the songs are fabulous. They deserved bigger success.
The lead singers range alone is amazing.
That's a really neat song! I lived through those wonderful times, but I've never heard that song before either. I did hear "Walk Away Renee'" many times, but never heard "Pretty Ballerina" till today. It's very unusual, and really good.
Fil, thank you for covering this beautiful song! I remember hearing this on the radio when I was a child...I would have been about 8 yrs old when this came out and my husband about 14. It is one of the husband and mine's favorites from back in the day. They also did Walk Away, Renee. The Left Banke....what beautiful music makers! I think the disection you did of this song and "the devil's note" explains exactly why we are drawn to this song.
Edit: We referred to this type of music as "baroque rock" back then. I haven't heard that term used in a long time.
It seems that baroque rock is unique to the 60s. It's incredible to me that a 16 year old was able to, first of all, write something so sophisticated musically, and secondly, to impart everything he felt for the girlfriend of his bandmate at the time.
@@lauraallen55 My sentiments also. I often think, when listening to my favorites from my youth, how astounding the musical abilities of young men in their teens to mid-twenties was...and the lyrics written.
It really was an amazing time for music. I hope it gets back to that someday. It seems there are far more young women in music today, which is a good thing. However, I'm not a fan of all the Autotune and pitch-correction that's so prevalent now.@@fumblebunny1993
Love this song. Listened to it over and over. The lyric is so sad, he dared to confess his feelings and got friendzoned. Been there, done that. It is shattering. The arrangement is so good.. The musical tension created with the lifted 4th is prescient and turns a pop tune into something more.
Hi Fil,
I had never heard this cool song before, but I liked it! Such an accurate vocal, I was watching the pitch monitoring software and just amazing to hear him sing. Had hints of Madrigal songs and heard a bit of a Doors influence. Really great song to analyze for today with so many interesting musical things going on… You Rock… Love Ya’ Debbie☮️
Interesting, although I think this song came out before the Doors' music. The songwriter was 16 at the time he wrote it, and wrote it and Walk Away Renee (even catchier than this one!) about his bandmate's girlfriend. Oh, the singer was 18 when they had these two hits.
One of my favorite songs for all the analysis points that FIL mentioned. I loved lyrics as well. Very creative production. Thanks for a yet another great analysis video Fil! (DesertDeluge)
This and "Walk Away Renee" are two absolute perfect pop songs, and they perfectly define their era. When I hear either one, I'm instantly transported to a place and time I never really knew, but imagine in my head.
i was born in 1965 and this song has always been one of my favourite songs. i think some of the members went on to form the band Stories in the early 70s.
I loved this song, I was 12 when it came out. Glad you're hearing it now. It's so beautiful, haunting. Mood like Dangerous Type by the Cars....something sad and lonely about it.
The reason the “mood” is so cool is because in the last verse you realize it was all a dream.
Exactly!!!! Either a dream or a delusion. I like songs where the theme is slightly off like Angie Baby by Helen Reddy.
🙂 Right on the money
@@pamspurgers3578
Or Diary by Bread.
When I was a kid I didn't get the ending and thought the guy was just bragging, so I didn't like it, ha! As an adult I realized what it actually meant and have been obsessed with it ever since!
The songwriter was 16 and wrote it about his bandmate's girlfriend!
I remember this haunting, beautiful song from my youth. Thanks for reviving it. It’s not featured nearly enough. Great music lesson- Thank you for that, too!
heard The Left Banke live in the Filmore Room at the Norton student center at UB late sixties
Fil, another comment and song suggestion from February 1967. A few years ago I worked out Pretty Ballerina in the key of E (with some help from You Tube and Chordie. Yes, the song has some unusual twists! Another interesting song is “My World Fell Down” by Sagittarius, one of those studio groups made up of the Wrecking Crew and produced by Gary Usher. The single featured Glen Campbell singing, with Bruce Johnston and Terry Melcher.
Thank you! What an interesting song that is. I hadn't heard it before (nor the phrase mentioned below/above 'Baroque Pop' which seems perfect for this as a genre). Beautiful vocal, simple backing and yes, that elevated 4th to resolution, all make this eerie. Great little review!
Check out their other hit Walk Away Renee! The history of the two songs is really interesting. The band members were all in their teens, and 16 year old Michael Brown was in love with the bassist's girlfriend (Renee Fladen) and managed to write something so sophisticated musically as well as impart his feelings so perfectly as well.