27 May 2020

Videos of the day -- The Kinks

When I posted this song parody a couple of weeks ago, I was surprised to discover that some readers were apparently unfamiliar with the music of The Kinks, even though they're considered one of the most influential bands of the 1960s.  Fortunately, for those who are interested, this is easily rectified.  To start with, here is the original 1970 song "Lola" on which the parody was based:


A personal favorite of mine is "The Village Green Preservation Society" (1968), a paean to British traditions and everyday life:


This is "Victoria" (1969), a satirical look back at the British Empire:


The band remained active long after the 1960s.  This is "Come Dancing" (1982), which I remember seeing frequently on MTV back when they actually played music videos:


The Kinks were a prolific group and had many other songs besides these which became iconic in their own way.  After all these years, it's music I still listen to.

17 Comments:

Blogger taminator013 said...

After all these years, it's music I still listen to.
You and me both, brother............

A live version of one of my favorites which was sung by Dave instead of Ray....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFkYoT5Gezo

27 May, 2020 05:53  
Blogger Hot guys said...

I know their song "You Really Got Me". ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

I like some covers of that one, as well! ๐Ÿ’›

27 May, 2020 06:48  
Blogger Debra She Who Seeks said...

Their music is familiar to me but I really don't know much about them as a band.

27 May, 2020 07:18  
Blogger Sixpence Notthewiser said...

Funny how their music sounds very 'today'.
I love Come Dancing, BTW.

XOXO

27 May, 2020 08:47  
Blogger W. Hackwhacker said...

Clearly, you have excellent taste.

27 May, 2020 09:12  
Blogger yellowdoggranny said...

I think in my record collection I have one of theirs..can't remember..I'm old..but love them..

27 May, 2020 10:35  
Blogger Eliza said...

Ray Davies is a god...

27 May, 2020 11:12  
Blogger Mike said...

Lola and You Really Got Me are two favorites.

27 May, 2020 11:23  
Blogger Lady M said...

So many good Kinks songs - hard to choose a favorite.

27 May, 2020 16:03  
Blogger Mary said...

Iโ€™m not getting your posts in my email any longer...can you fix please...๐Ÿ˜Š
I have missed a few

27 May, 2020 19:32  
Anonymous Rancid said...

I didn't catch the original post about the corona song, so I went back to it. It's such a shame that people don't remember the classics.

I met him in a swamp down in Dagobah
Where it bubbles all the time
Like a giant, carbonated soda
S-O-D-A, soda

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdu8I1gWqk4

27 May, 2020 19:49  
Blogger jono said...

Sunny Afternoon is another favorite. My brother spoke at length with their drummer at a Holiday party in London a few years ago.

28 May, 2020 04:17  
Blogger Infidel753 said...

Taminator: Good one, thanks.

Hot: Another good one.

Debra: I don't know much about them as a band either, but the music has really stuck with me.

Sixpence: True, it doesn't seem dated at all.

Hackwhacker: Thanks :-) -- evidently so do you.

Jackie: No record collection should be without one.....

Eliza: And he actually exists!

Mike: Lola's one of mine as well.

Lady M: So true.

Mary: I (again) deleted all the e-mail addresses and re-entered them, so hopefully that will help, but I think the Blogger post-notification system just doesn't work very well.

Rancid: I've heard that parody as well. Classic.

Jono: I remember Sunny Afternoon!

29 May, 2020 02:17  
Anonymous Anonymous said...


Where to start? Perhaps the one song that demonstrates their
brilliance is "Shangri-La." It's like five songs in one, and
packed with social commentary. I'd rate the album "Everybody's
in Show-Biz" as their apotheosis; although they had some hits
later in the '70s and '80s, I think Ray Davies' many problems
weighed them down and they never regained their earlier excellence.

Just a small sampling of some other notable songs from their catalog
for those young-uns unfamiliar with their work:

A Well Respected Man, Top of the Pops, Apeman, 20th Century Man,
Supersonic Rocket Ship, and of course, Celluloid Heroes.

29 May, 2020 21:21  
Blogger RO said...

I fan of MTV, I do remember this song being played way back in the day, and enjoyed it. The name of the group is a great conversation starter too.(lol) Air Hugs, RO

31 May, 2020 04:44  
Anonymous Olof said...

I tried listening to these songs.

Now I realize why drug use was so high during the 1960s.

I couldn't stand them while sober.

05 June, 2020 02:11  
Blogger Infidel753 said...

Anon: They had so many great songs! It seems like there are always more.

RO: I understand some bluenose once told Ray Davies, "You are the kinks of society and you must be ironed out" -- and he got the band name from that.

Olof: Chacun ร  son goรปt.

05 June, 2020 04:33  

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