weav
New Member
Never seen New Orleans, Oklahoma, Tenessee...
Posts: 21
|
Post by weav on Jan 5, 2008 1:19:45 GMT -5
Being very new to The Kinks katolog, I was very surprised to see the high lyrical content of Ray's songs. Pink Floyd is my favorite band and I guess I assumed good lyricists started and ended with Roger Waters. But The Kinks lyrics are a nice change of pace from the Floyd! I wouldn't be so bold as to compare Ray and Roger or try to ask 'who is better', but is fun to discuss favorite songs, solely based on lyrics.
Now my Kinks experience centers around the albums I am the most familiar with, which are VGPS, Arthur, Lola and Muswell. I really am floored by 20th Century Man, it hits home on so many levels about the evils of modern society and the way security destroys individuality.
I love Shangri-La and Mr. Churchill says (my four-year-old twins love Shangri-La and ask for it all the time). It gives a young buck like me an interesting perspective on what it was like in the UK at the time.
Off of VGSP...where do you start? VGSP itself is great, with so many different societies, affiliates. My favorite song on the album is Do You Remember Walter, which may not be the best song on the album lyrically, bt it is very good.
Some of my favorite lines:
I was born in a welfare state Ruled by bureaucracy Controlled by civil servants And people dressed in grey Got no privacy got no liberty Cos the twentieth century people Took it all away from me.
Somewhere someone is crying Someone is trying to be so brave But still the world keeps turning Though all the children have gone away
And all the houses in the street have got a name 'Cos all the houses in the street they look the same Same chimney pots, same little cars, same window panes The neighbors call to tell you things that you should know They say their lines, they drink their tea, and then they go They tell your business in another Shangri-la The gas bills and the water rates, and payments on the car Too scared to think about how insecure you are Life ain't so happy in your little Shangri-la
|
|
|
Post by HollyH on Jan 5, 2008 5:33:49 GMT -5
WOW! Where do I begin...
|
|
|
Post by rose on Jan 5, 2008 7:09:10 GMT -5
Count me out, weav! I'd have to list my fave lyrics from 50 different songs...Your choices (so far) are among them.... But WELCOME and enjoy the journey and.....FASTEN YOUR SEATBELT!
|
|
|
Post by Iñakink on Jan 5, 2008 14:33:11 GMT -5
My bank went broke and my well ran dry. It was almost enough to contemplate suicide. I turned on the gas, but I soon realized I hadn't settled my bill so they cut off my supply.
You're a misfit, afraid of yourself so you run away and hide You've been a misfit all your life Why don't you join the crowd And come inside You wander round this town like you've lost your way You had your chance in your day Yet you threw it all away But you know what they say Every dog has his day
If my friends could see me now, driving round just like a film star, In a chauffeur driven jam jar, they would laugh. They would all be saying that it's not really me, They would all be asking who I'm trying to be. If my friends could see me now, Looking out my hotel window, Dressed in satin strides and two-tone daisy roots, If my friends could see me now I know they would smile.
|
|
|
Post by complicatedlife on Jan 5, 2008 15:18:38 GMT -5
I love Shangri-La (my four-year-old twins love Shangri-La and ask for it all the time). [/i][/quote] Here's something for the kiddies...
|
|
|
Post by Smiley on Jan 8, 2008 21:50:29 GMT -5
Here.. Here... It's been a Rock and Roll Fantasy for sure Dan is a fan and he lives for our music It's the only thing that gets him by He's watched us grow and he's seen all our shows He's seen us low and he's seen us high Oh, but you and me keep thinking That the world's just passing us by
|
|
|
Post by Situation Vacant on Jan 31, 2008 20:58:31 GMT -5
This famous one has fabulous lyrics. They evoke an image and show a darker side of people others may look up to. There's talk of bribery, adultery and covetousness. Besides, how can you not love a song that has the line "His own sweat smells the best?" Is this my favorite? Maybe, but there are so many. Note my screen name. That songs has lyrics I love, too.
Well Respected Man
Cause he gets up in the morning, And he goes to work at nine, And he comes back home at five-thirty, Gets the same train every time. 'Cause his world is built 'round punctuality, It never fails.
And he's oh, so good, And he's oh, so fine, And he's oh, so healthy, In his body and his mind. He's a well respected man about town, Doing the best things so conservatively.
And his mother goes to meetings, While his father pulls the maid, And she stirs the tea with councilors, While discussing foreign trade, And she passes looks, as well as bills At every suave young man
'Cause he's oh, so good, And he's oh, so fine, And he's oh, so healthy, In his body and his mind. He's a well respected man about town, Doing the best things so conservatively.
And he likes his own backyard, And he likes his f*gs the best, 'Cause he's better than the rest, And his own sweat smells the best, And he hopes to grab his father's loot, When Pater passes on.
'Cause he's oh, so good, And he's oh, so fine, And he's oh, so healthy, In his body and his mind. He's a well respected man about town, Doing the best things so conservatively.
And he plays at stocks and shares, And he goes to the Regatta, And he adores the girl next door, 'Cause he's dying to get at her, But his mother knows the best about The matrimonial stakes.
'Cause he's oh, so good, And he's oh, so fine, And he's oh, so healthy, In his body and his mind. He's a well respected man about town, Doing the best things so conservatively.
|
|
|
Post by nicola6 on Feb 1, 2008 16:31:39 GMT -5
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa
I am a dull and simple lad Can not tell water from champagne And I have never met the queen And I wish I could have all that he has got I wish I could be like david watts
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa
And when I lie on my pillow at night I dream I could fight like david watts Lead the school team to victory And take my exams and pass the lot
(wish I could be) Wish I could be like david watts (wish I could be) Wish I could be like david watts (wish I could be) Conduct my life like david watts (wish I could be) I wish I could be like david watts
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa
He is the head boy at the school He is the captain of the team He is so gay and fancy free And I wish all his money belonged to me I wish I could be like david watts
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa
And all the girls in the neighborhood Try to go out with david watts They try their best but cant succeed For he is of pure and noble breed
Wish I could be like Wish I could be like Wish I could be like
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa (repeat)
|
|
|
Post by HollyH on Feb 1, 2008 21:37:45 GMT -5
This one doesn't get mentioned enough. But of course, you have to imagine it with all the campy voices...
Holiday Romance
I had a break for a week So I booked my seat And confirmed a reservation At a quiet little seaside hotel. I packed my bags And I caught my train and Reached my destination Just in time for the dinner gong--ding dong. Then I saw Lavinia Standing at the bottom of the stairs. And I fell for Lavinia The moment that I saw her standing there.
Lavinia looked so divine As she walked up to the table to dine And then Lavinia's eyes met mine.
I thought can this be love, Can this be lovey-dove Or just a holiday romance? Can this be long lost love at last Or is it just a flash in the pan?
Then after cheese and liqueurs they struck up the band, I plucked up my courage and I asked Lavinia to dance That was the start of my holiday romance. Just a holiday romance.
We did the foxtrot, samba and danced through the night The last waltz came and we held each other so tight. That was the start of my holiday romance.
Just a holiday romance A simple holiday romance. I wonder should I take a chance?
We walked on the beach, And we paddled our feet, And we watched all the swimmers, And my holiday treat felt complete. We drank lemonade, And we sat in the shade, I thought I must be on a winner And I acted cool and discreet. For I knew that Lavinia Was the shyest lady that I'd ever met, And I knew that Lavinia Would only be my lady for the week.
It was just a holiday romance A simple holiday romance. I wonder should I take this chance? Just a holiday romance.
Can this be love, Can this be lovey-dove Or just a holiday romance?
I tried to kiss her, she walked away, She said "Better stop, my husband's coming to collect me today". That was the end of my holiday, Sweet and innocent holiday, End of my holiday romance.
|
|
|
Post by Smiley on Feb 1, 2008 22:35:48 GMT -5
The lyrics, combined with the melancholy melody, always chokes me up...
I know a place not far from here It's not far away, love, but if you come I know a place where we'll be alone And we'll talk of life, the way love used to be
I know a place not far away And we'll find a way through the city streets We'll find a way through the mad rushing crowd And we'll talk about the way love used to be
I know a place not far from here It's not far away, love, but if you come I know a place where we'll be alone And we'll talk about the way love used to be
|
|
|
Post by complicatedlife on Feb 1, 2008 22:52:35 GMT -5
"One More Time" may be Ray's most beautifully composed song since "Days"...
I was walking on the coast road When the harbour came in view It was there I saw the hilltop That I used to walk with you
We'd sing of the old country Now it's such a lonesome climb Our world faded once When you were mine
Why is true love so difficult to find Wish you were here to see it with me One more time Lalalala lalalala lalalala lala Wish you were here to sing it with me One more time
Those economic vultures Stole our dreams and told us tales Then they towed away our culture To their depot in south Wales
Corporations get the tax breaks While the city gets the crime The profit's going somewhere But it isn't yours or mine
Still we blindly trust in the divine Let's sing for the old country Come on, one more time Lalalala lalalala lalalala oh oh Let's sing it loud with feeling Come on, one more time
You know I must be leaving And I know you've got to stay But you know that I'll be grieving When you're so far away
And if this should be the last time I should ever see your face Let's part with no hard feeling And a positive embrace
And I will speak well of you When they ask when you were mine Till then the jet stream up above Shows us the warning signs
Till we meet again bravely walk the line Let's sing it loud with feeling Come on, one more time Lalalala lalalala lalalala oh oh Let's sing for the old country Come on, one more, one more time
|
|
|
Post by tourist on Mar 26, 2008 0:11:59 GMT -5
Smile away all your sadness Your your trust in me...........
|
|