Walk Don't Run

Walk Don't Run is a rock'n'roll instrumental composition written and first performed by Johnny Smith in 1955. It became a hit single in the autumn of 1960 for the Seattle-based instrumental rock band The Ventures. In the UK, the tune was covered by the John Barry Seven, whose version, while only peaking at #11 on the Record Retailer chart, compared with the Ventures' #8, outcharted them to reach the Top 10 on other UK charts such as that of the NME.

This song, in its simplest form can be played with three chords. These are the I, IV, and V or V7 chords in a major key. In the example here they are: G C and D7 or D, shown in C Tuning, High or Low G</p>

• Johnny Smith Quartet - Walk Don't Run!

Johnny Smith is the original composer. Chet Atkins recorded a version that the ventures heard and subsequently created their mega instrumental surf hit.

• Chet Atkins "Walk Don't Run'Run
• The Ventures - Walk Don't Run