Don't Walk Away (Jade song)

Critical reception

William Cooper from AllMusic felt the song is "so infectious and irresistible", adding that it "may be a familiar tune heard on the radio years after its success". Upon the release, Larry Flick from Billboard magazine wrote, "'I Wanna Love You' from the soundtrack to Class Act laid a fine foundation for this soft-yet-percussive midtempo romp. Charming female trio walks the stylistic line dividing En Vogue-ish urban flash and Exposé-esque pop flair. Catchy chorus ensures heavy multiformat radio action."

In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton said, "The cynic in me has the temptation to label this track as sanitised West coast production pop of the kind US FM radio is so enamoured with. Certainly all-girl groups of this particular genre never seem to make much of an impression over here, except it seems at this time of year. Predictions as to the future chart success of this one are divided but it is harmless and inoffensive enough to be an Easter hit." A reviewer from Music & Media noted, "Hot on the heels of En Vogue, this female vocal group is already top 10 in the UK. The beat gets any person out of their arm chair, and the lyrics could make a guy walk on clouds." Mark Kinchen for *Music Week'''s *RM'' Dance Update wrote, "Jade just catches me with great harmonies in the chorus. The trio's great vocals are backed by a slamming hip hop style track. When you play this one, play it very loud!"

Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single, written and directed by Eric Meza. He also directed videos for Public Enemy and N.W.A. It begins with a group of men hanging out by their cars. One of them is using a car phone to call the group. Jade then performs the song as they dance on the sidewalk, while people around them are watching and/or dancing. Other scenes shows the group singing on a staircase in the locality. In the end, the girls are seen in one of the cars, as it slowly drives away.

Legacy

"Don't Walk Away" was awarded one of BMI's Pop Awards in 1994, honoring the songwriters, composers and music publishers of the song. In 2017, Billboard magazine ranked the song number 52 on their list of "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time".

Formats and track listings

• 7-inch vinyl

1. "Don't Walk Away" (Pop Walk)
2. "Don't Walk Away" (Album Walk)

• 7-inch vinyl

1. "Don't Walk Away"
2. "Looking For Me Do Right"

• 12-inch vinyl

1. "Don't Walk Away" (Album Walk)
2. "Don't Walk Away" (A Cappella Walk)
3. "Don't Walk Away" (Instrumental Walk)
4. "Don't Walk Away" (TV Walk)

• CD single

1. "Don't Walk Away" (Pop Walk)
2. "Don't Walk Away" (Lite Walk)
3. "Don't Walk Away" (Dark Walk)
4. "Don't Walk Away" (Mack Daddy Stroll)
5. "Don't Walk Away" (Album Walk)

• Cassette single

1. "Don't Walk Away" (Album Walk)
2. "Don't Walk Away" (Instrumental Walk)

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

Javine version

| A-side = You've Got a Friend

"Don't Walk Away" was covered by British R&B singer Javine. It was also released with "You've Got a Friend", a cover of the Carole King classic, as a double A-side. The single peaked at number 16 on the UK Singles Chart.

Formats and track listings

• CD: 1

1. "Don't Walk Away"
2. "You've Got a Friend"

• CD: 2

1. "Don't Walk Away"
2. "Don't Walk Away" (Armand Van Helden club mix)
3. "Don't Walk Away" (Soda Club edit)
4. "Don't Walk Away" (Bad Boy remix)

Charts

References

References

1. Josephs, Brian. (July 20, 2012). "The 25 Best New Jack Swing Songs".
2. Billboard Staff. (July 10, 2017). "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time: Critics’ Picks".
3. [https://www.vibe.com/2011/07/full-clip-q-tip-runs-down-his-music-catalogue-ft-tribe-de-la-soul-nas-biggie-roots/midnight-marauders-tribe-called-quest-q-tip/ Midnight Marauders--A Tribe Called Quest (1993)] ''[[Vibe (magazine). Vibe]]''. Accessed on May 25, 2021.
4. (August 21, 2015). "Diplo Unleashes New Collab 'Be Right There' With Sleepy Tom".
5. Cooper, William. "Jade – ''Jade to the Max''". [[AllMusic]].
6. Flick, Larry. (November 7, 1992). "Single Reviews".
7. Masterton, James. (March 14, 1993). "Week Ending March 20th 1993".
8. (May 8, 1993). "New Releases: Singles".
9. Kinchen, Mark. (January 23, 1993). "Hot Vinyl Buzzing".
10. "Jade - Don't Walk Away (1992)". [[YouTube]].
11. (June 4, 1994). "BMI Pop Awards".
12. Ryan, Gavin. (2011). "Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010". Moonlight Publishing.
13. (May 1, 1993). "Eurochart Hot 100".
14. (May 15, 1993). "European Dance Radio Top 25".
15. (May 8, 1993). "EHR Top 40".
16. (April 24, 1993). "Top 50 Airplay Chart".
17. (March 20, 1993). "Top 60 Dance Singles".
18. (February 27, 1993). "Hot Dance Music: Maxi-Singles Sales".
19. (April 3, 1993). "Top 100 Pop Singles".
20. (December 18, 1993). "1993 Year-End Airplay Charts: European Dance Radio".
21. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1993". Dutch Top 40.
22. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1993".
23. (January 15, 1994). "Top 100 Singles 1993".
24. "Billboard Top 100 – 1993".
25. (December 25, 1993). "The Year in Music: Hot R&B Singles".
26. (December 31, 1993). "Awards: Top 50 Pop Singles".
27. (January 15, 1994). "Best-Selling Records of 1993".
28. (March 6, 1993). "New Releases: Singles".
29. (May 9, 1993). "New Release Summary – Product Available from : 10/05/93: Singles".
30. (August 7, 2004). "New Releases: Singles".