"Walking Away" is a song by English singer Craig David. It was written by David and Mark Hill and released as the third single from his debut studio album, Born to Do It (2000), on 20 November 2000. It reached number three in the United Kingdom and number one in New Zealand, where it was the most successful song of 2001 according to the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ).
In 2008, the track was re-recorded for David's Greatest Hits compilation, released in November 2008 in the United Kingdom. The new versions each feature a different artist: Lynnsha on the French version, Nek on the Italian version, Álex Ubago on the Spanish version and Monrose on the German version. Monrose's vocals were sung in English rather than in German, whereas the other artists sang in their native languages.
Music videos Original version There are two versions of the video. The European music video begins with David with his girlfriend in a car, where she is seen yelling at him. He turns on the radio and the song starts. He then gets out of the car and the landscape continually changes, showing different places. This was directed by Max & Dania.
The US version starts with an acapella sample of the Ignorants remix, leading into the actual song. The video shows him "walking away" from troubles in his life: a flooded apartment, a fire in his 67 Camaro convertible, electrical problems at the train station, and a tornado at the end of the video. This was directed by Lenny Bass.
Greatest Hits version New versions of the songs were recorded and shot in 2008, and it features Lynnsha on the French version, Nek on the Italian version, Álex Ubago on the Spanish version and Monrose on the German version. The video was shot in black and white, and the guest artist is seen in some scenes. Sometimes, the two singers are seen together.
Track listings
UK CD1 and Japanese CD single "Walking Away" "Human" "7 Days" (live vibe in Amsterdam)
UK CD2 "Walking Away" (radio edit) "Walking Away" (Ignorants remix featuring Trell) "Walking Away" (DJ Chunky remix featuring MC B-Live) "Walking Away" (Treats (Better Day) remix)
UK cassette single "Walking Away" "Human" "Walking Away" (Ignorants remix featuring Trell)
European CD single "Walking Away" – 3:27 "7 Days" (live in Stockholm) – 7:00
Australian CD single "Walking Away" – 3:27 "Human" – 4:01 "7 Days" (live in Stockholm) – 7:00 "Walking Away" (Ignorants remix featuring Trell) – 5:16 "Walking Away" (DJ Chunky remix featuring MC B-Live) – 5:43 "Walking Away" (Treats Better Day remix) – 5:22
US 7-inch single "Walking Away" "Time to Party"
US 12-inch single A1. "Walking Away" (album version) – 3:26 A2. "Walking Away" (album instrumental) – 3:26 A3. "Walking Away" (album acapella) – 3:03 B1. "Walking Away" (Ignorants remix featuring Trell) – 5:18 B2. "Walking Away" (Ignorants remix instrumental) – 4:43 B3. "Walking Away" (Ignorants remix acapella) – 3:56
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2000–2002)PeakpositionCanada CHR (Nielsen BDS)11Croatia (HRT)5Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)12Greece (IFPI)10Hungary (Mahasz)2Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)24Poland (Music & Media)4Poland (Polish Airplay Chart)1Romania (Romanian Top 100)8
Year-end charts Chart (2000)PositionIreland (IRMA)80UK Singles (OCC)72 Chart (2001)PositionAustralia (ARIA)30Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)69France (SNEP)72New Zealand (RIANZ)1Romania (Romanian Top 100)75 Chart (2002)PositionCanada Radio (Nielsen BDS)59US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)58
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United Kingdom20 November 2000CDWildstarGermany28 November 2000Maxi-CDEdelJapan24 January 2001CDVictor EntertainmentUnited States25 March 2002Rhythmic contemporary radioAtlantic1 April 2002Contemporary hit radio7 May 2002Hot adult contemporary radio
References