Just the best, doesn,t care if he is famous or not, as long as he does what he feels, .The Kinks must have influenced hundreds of musicians since You Really Got Me.
Thank you, Beth. This is one of my favorite Kinks songs. Another one is their 1980's hit "Come Dancing". It has a very sad back story. Most people only know their hit songs, but they have so many amazing songs that never got any radio play.
I'm with you. These are arguably their two best songs. Love the backstory on "Come Dancing", as sad as it is. My sister passed a few years ago, and left me some money. I blew it all, but I learned a lot of skills from magic to acting with it..... a gift from a much loved family member who was gone far too soon.
Beth, thank you so much for reacting to The Kinks. Surely rock music's most underrated band and Ray Davies is a songwriter of the very highest quality. Almost without peer. The original studio version of "Celluloid Heroes" actually goes back as far as 1972. On the same album is another mini masterpiece called "Sitting In My Hotel".
One for the Road cut of this song is unbelievable- GSTK- 700 songs they have written- 100’s just as good their hits ….around the dial…..I need you ….2 sisters…..artificial man…..holiday Romance….dreams…..to the bone ….big sky …..0nly a dream ….the list goes on and on!!!!
There's so many (very) different live versions of this. This one is fairly close to the studio version from 1972, but the fact they took it in so many different directions when doing it live is just another dimension to love about this song.
Thank you for doing this, Beth. One of the best Kinks songs. Ray Davies was one of the great songwriters of the 20th century, and unfortunately not well enough known by the younger generation.
Terrific exploration of this song! I was 10 years old when this song came out, and I remember having an emotional response to it, even though I did not understand it then. Beth: I really like the particular way you look at music. You reveal reveal technical aspects of songs that I have long been familiar with but had not noticed what you're pointing out. At the same time, you so naturally explore the emotional pathways into the lyrics and music.
Quite simply one of the most beautiful songs ever written. As with all Rays work its long on intelligence and rich in wonderful melody. Nice that you comment on his vocal delivery as its something I feel is overlooked often - always feel his diction is a great strength. To me personally he is pretty peerless as a writer. Thanks for posting.
Greta Garbo whose movie Ninotchka a great movie btw was banned in Soviet Union and the Kinks who were later banned in USA just shows the power that film and phonograph possess
I recently saw a performer introduce a song by saying, " The answer to the question, "Who's the better band--The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?" is The Kinks."
I've loved this song from the first time I heard it, on their great live album. But this is the best version I've ever heard- the one I go to when I want to hear it. The video is so interesting. The background singers are exactly what I think of when I think of the 70s lol. But the song.... brilliant imagery, and there are so many levels to the story. Ray Davies is an underrated songwriter.
This is such a great song. If you think of fame, image, success and how not only the stars,but the followers of the stars, can get lost in those illusions. Ray Davies has many songs that deal with illusion and how people can lose themselves not facing reality. Ray suffered great melancholy, he writes about yearning for an ideal time in the past that could never be relived. His songs show great personal suffering.
Anyone who can appreciate Celluloid Heroes is alright in my book. The Kinks are the kings of underrated and this might be their most under-rated song of all!
I love this song, Celluloid heroes. It was Ray Davies greatest, brilliant song. He is a great genius songwriter and poet. When you hear his voice it's so mesmerizing and you know it's Ray Davies and the Kinks. I grew up with their musical genius and the music helped me survive my early teen years. Long love the Kinks.
Happiness is an emotion and like any emotion it is fleeting. Contentment is a state of mind and gives more stability to handle emotions. I find strength in being content and wish that I had realised this in my earlier years rather than my late 50's.
I love how someone from England can so succinctly grasp the American Dream. "Celluloid heros never feel any pain, and celluloid heros never really die".
I loved this, especially the OGWT performance you chose. It really captures the reverence that Ray is trying to evoke for the toll that a life of fame and being in the public eye takes on the soul of those who "succeed" (for as you point out, success is a relative measurement and necessarily implies within it a certain level of failure in other parts of a performer's life). I don't think that the impact that the band's success had on his relationship with his brother should be overlooked as inspiration for the song as well. Given their mercurial and combative personalities, they probably would have been at odds with each other regardless what career paths they chose. But I am sure that Ray could not help but reflect about whether what it took to be rock superstars conversely contributed to his alienation with Dave. I would also love to hear your take on "Waterloo Sunset" and Don Maclean's "Vincent" (another name-dropper and examination of the soul-crushing pressures of the world - obviously due to other causes than "Celluloid Heroes," Vincent's mental illness and sensitive nature rather than celebrity)
Such a great band from the 60's-70's era. Many mentioned favorites worth listening to in comments. Mine...'A Well-respected Man.' Kinks sarcasm and commentary at its best.
I'd listen to a Ray Davies "failure" rather than to most people's "successes"; he is soul full. I have learned a lot of humanness from Ray, throughout the years and years. Thanks to you Beth, for your music appreciation lessons. I have learned some things. But I do have a question: Would you give an example and discuss something that you don't like to establish a context for what you do. Thanks again. And, just saying, I have enjoyed your singing too!
One of my fave Kinks tracks. Sentiment reminds me of the John Waters quote: "Most everybody secretly imagines themselves in show business and everyday on their way to work, they're a little bit depressed because they're not...People are sad they're not famous in America".
''Celluloid Heroes" has meaning for me because it was the name of my ball hockey team in university. Not sure if our Captain knew of this song or if it had anything to do with our name; however, our team name was my favourite team moniker of all-time. LOL
And, yet, that was a Kinks live track from their mid-70's live-show! I really thought they were done around that time, but have a listen to anything from their State of Confusion album after that! Heh, talk about renewing themselves for a new audience...
I can tell you Beth as a 71 year old that happiness is family ,children and grand children that love you . Anything else is not worth a penny and it is the only thing you can take with you and say "i did this "
I love this song. Can listen to it over and over. I am happy going for a hike with my saxophone and seeing how people react to a sax in the woods. Dogs are a little confused.
Very interesting. I'm a musician and I credit Ray for teaching me to sing. (Won't mention it to Dave) your interpretation told me much I knew, and a fair amount I hadn't thought of. Well done. Catch you next time.
I don't know how successful this song was on the charts, but when I was a kid in the 70s in New York State, they would play this every once in a while on the rock radio station. Considered sort of a masterpiece back then. Probably a lot of younger people aren't as familiar with this as songs by other groups from that period, but is such a great and unique song. The Kinks were a group that had a number of songs I didn't really like, but they also had a lot of songs I loved. They basically created the distortion sound by cutting a speaker cone with a razor on You Really Got Me. Plus, that and All Day And All Of The Night were really the first hard rock songs. I had their album Misfits and Low Budget and thought both albums were great (every song). I had their live album One For The Road, which is really a best of album done live. I recommend getting that album if you want to really know what the Kinks are all about. This was after Van Halen covered You Really Got Me and they did a more hard rocking version of it which was great (of course Dave Davies ain't Eddie Van Halen, but he didn't need to be. Great guitarist all on his own).
One of my favorite Kinks songs. I’m not sure why this live version omitted the following verse but, it’s probably my favorite verse of the song… If you covered him with garbage George Sanders would still have style And if you stamped on Mickey Rooney He would still turn round and smile But please don't tread on dearest Marilyn Cause she's not very tough She should have been made of iron or steel But she was only made of flesh and blood
Your really good at expressing what a song makes you feel and the thoughts it promulgates. It started w/ Shania Twain, a Canadian in whom the industry backed and foisted the idea of what Country music should be, too a country raised on Don Williams and Marty Robbins or Bakersfield Slim. Simultaneously, the OJ Simpson trial ushered in reality TV; next Paris Hilton, famous for being 'famous', and contemporary Pop-Culture was hatched. Vacuous, vapid and banal modern music: conversely, the song a ballad, a ballad the story, and the sharing of stories makes us happy!
Je ne sais pas ce qu'elle raconte mais on voit qu'elle se regale et ça fait plaisir,c'est vrai que cette chanson est superbe et poignante même si je ne comprend pas les paroles mais j'ai toujours senti le courant passer avec les Kinks.Que Dieu sauve le peuple anglais.!
Ray, in modern terminology, is the G.O.A.T. A lyrical insight that had the rare ability to observe with humour and compassion, seriousness and subtlety. How groundbreaking the Kinks really were seems lost in the modern world, but they are among the greatest bands of all time and their albums seem to be forgotten, and yet are some of the best albums ever made. If you aren't familiar I think - Something Else by The Kinks - The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society - Arthur (or the decline and fall of The British Empire) - Lola Vs Powerman and The Moneygoround - Muswell Hillbillies - Preservation act 1 and 2 - Sleepwalker - Low Budget - One For The Road are among the great albums of all time
🙂👍 The melody is extremely similar to "Puff The Magic Dragon." I live in Los Angeles, and whenever The Kinks performed here from 1972 onward, they always made it a point to include this song in their set for obvious reasons.
Epic humbling song. Lessons from popular culture really The original is best, this is a crimped version. Knowing the characters in its story brings the composition far more alive. Hats off to the The Kinks, the best of the Invasion.
The irony of people seeking 'fame' is that it is conferred on you by others and there seems to be no end of people luxuriating in anointing some artist as the 'king' of this or the 'queen' of that or the 'greatest' that ever lived as though that confers some kind of esteem on themselves...it's like a form of symbiosis that allows the entertainment industry to thrive.
There is a longer version of this song on the Album, but it does not add a great deal to flesh out the main messages of the song. The Kinks were (are) a GREAT band, fantastic live, a really wide array of material, whats not to like...
Ray Davies is absolutely one of the great songwriter/poets of the 20th century. The deeper you dive into his writings , the more you understand that
Just the best, doesn,t care if he is famous or not, as long as he does what he feels, .The Kinks must have influenced hundreds of musicians since You Really Got Me.
Absolutely!!!!! 💕💕💕
I love dancing with Ray
Thank you, Beth. This is one of my favorite Kinks songs. Another one is their 1980's hit "Come Dancing". It has a very sad back story. Most people only know their hit songs, but they have so many amazing songs that never got any radio play.
This has always.been one.of my favorite Kink songs. Ray Davies is a great song writer.
One of my favorite Kinks classics
I'm with you. These are arguably their two best songs. Love the backstory on "Come Dancing", as sad as it is. My sister passed a few years ago, and left me some money. I blew it all, but I learned a lot of skills from magic to acting with it..... a gift from a much loved family member who was gone far too soon.
The kinks have 700 songs in their catalog- 100’s just as good as their hits.
One of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands! Absolute heartbreaker.
Beth, thank you so much for reacting to The Kinks. Surely rock music's most underrated band and Ray Davies is a songwriter of the very highest quality. Almost without peer. The original studio version of "Celluloid Heroes" actually goes back as far as 1972. On the same album is another mini masterpiece called "Sitting In My Hotel".
First time I saw them live was 1981. I had never heard this song. I walked out of the venue singing it
I love the Kinks, Ray Davies is such a great storyteller and always creates great characters. His lyrics are fantastic!
My absolute favorite group!!! 💕😎
A song that makes you think, that's Ray and the Kinks. They have great rock songs, and good ballads, and slow songs. Such a varied songbook.
This is an absolute masterpiece. I really like "Sunny Afternoon" also. Actually, most kinks songs hit the spot.
They really do!!
"Waterloo Sunset" is Ray's best song, but "Celluloid Heroes" is Ray's masterpiece!!
One for the Road cut of this song is unbelievable- GSTK- 700 songs they have written- 100’s just as good their hits ….around the dial…..I need you ….2 sisters…..artificial man…..holiday Romance….dreams…..to the bone ….big sky …..0nly a dream ….the list goes on and on!!!!
Beautiful commentary Beth! Love voice and demenor. Sooths my anexity. Love ya!!
There's so many (very) different live versions of this. This one is fairly close to the studio version from 1972, but the fact they took it in so many different directions when doing it live is just another dimension to love about this song.
One of the most beautiful songs ever written ❤
Isn’t it beautiful that ‘Whistle Test’ embraced our greatest artists. I loved Whistle Test, and in the 60’s I loved the genius of Ray Davies.
Your reaction to this beautiful piece by Ray Davies, is one of my favorite reactions. No one could respond any more sincerely for this one than you.
This is one of my faves from them. Loved the Kinks since my first listen to Lola when I was about 12. So much great music
1st concert I ever saw....love the kinks and this song is great
What was really impressive was the bass line. An incredible player.
Brilliant song. Beautiful performance. Sensitive analysis. Insightful analyst.
Thank you for doing this, Beth. One of the best Kinks songs. Ray Davies was one of the great songwriters of the 20th century, and unfortunately not well enough known by the younger generation.
This has always been my favorite Kinks song!
Songwriting genius. From garage rockers to theatrics to sentimentality to arena rockers, the Kinks covered all the bases in their career. Thanks.
Ray Davies has always been my number one choice for greatest UK songwriter, ahead of Lennon, McCartney or whoever else the runners up might be.
Correct. Ray Davies is the Greatest Songwriter from the UK. Lennon- McCartney don't come close.
I agree 100%
The Kinks were the better Beatles...
Terrific exploration of this song! I was 10 years old when this song came out, and I remember having an emotional response to it, even though I did not understand it then.
Beth: I really like the particular way you look at music. You reveal reveal technical aspects of songs that I have long been familiar with but had not noticed what you're pointing out. At the same time, you so naturally explore the emotional pathways into the lyrics and music.
Quite simply one of the most beautiful songs ever written. As with all Rays work its long on intelligence and rich in wonderful melody. Nice that you comment on his vocal delivery as its something I feel is overlooked often - always feel his diction is a great strength. To me personally he is pretty peerless as a writer. Thanks for posting.
Thanks for watching Richard!
Greta Garbo whose movie Ninotchka a great movie btw was banned in Soviet Union and the Kinks who were later banned in USA just shows the power that film and phonograph possess
The Kinks, "The Road" sums up the life of a rock n roll band. A Great song for sure!
I recently saw a performer introduce a song by saying, " The answer to the question, "Who's the better band--The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?" is The Kinks."
Wonderful, great to see it's on the old grey whistle test, so much great music was captured by that show.
I've loved this song from the first time I heard it, on their great live album. But this is the best version I've ever heard- the one I go to when I want to hear it. The video is so interesting. The background singers are exactly what I think of when I think of the 70s lol. But the song.... brilliant imagery, and there are so many levels to the story. Ray Davies is an underrated songwriter.
This is such a great song. If you think of fame, image, success and how not only the stars,but the followers of the stars, can get lost in those illusions. Ray Davies has many songs that deal with illusion and how people can lose themselves not facing reality. Ray suffered great melancholy, he writes about yearning for an ideal time in the past that could never be relived. His songs show great personal suffering.
It's actually older than 77. It was on their Everybody's in showbiz album from 72. The version there rocks a bit more.
The chord progression on this is simple, but beautiful.
Anyone who can appreciate Celluloid Heroes is alright in my book. The Kinks are the kings of underrated and this might be their most under-rated song of all!
I love this song, Celluloid heroes. It was Ray Davies greatest, brilliant song. He is a great genius songwriter and poet. When you hear his voice it's so mesmerizing and you know it's Ray Davies and the Kinks. I grew up with their musical genius and the music helped me survive my early teen years. Long love the Kinks.
I hadn't been a Kinks fan, but am becoming one. Many of his lyrics are simple and yet highly evocative.
Happiness is an emotion and like any emotion it is fleeting. Contentment is a state of mind and gives more stability to handle emotions. I find strength in being content and wish that I had realised this in my earlier years rather than my late 50's.
This is my new favorite version,I've grown up listening to the album version all these years.💘💘💘
I love how someone from England can so succinctly grasp the American Dream. "Celluloid heros never feel any pain, and celluloid heros never really die".
I forgot how much I love this song..
This was from “The old Grey Whistle Test “ tapes - an absolute goldmine of stuff. Check out Billy Joel and Piano Man
I loved this, especially the OGWT performance you chose. It really captures the reverence that Ray is trying to evoke for the toll that a life of fame and being in the public eye takes on the soul of those who "succeed" (for as you point out, success is a relative measurement and necessarily implies within it a certain level of failure in other parts of a performer's life). I don't think that the impact that the band's success had on his relationship with his brother should be overlooked as inspiration for the song as well. Given their mercurial and combative personalities, they probably would have been at odds with each other regardless what career paths they chose. But I am sure that Ray could not help but reflect about whether what it took to be rock superstars conversely contributed to his alienation with Dave.
I would also love to hear your take on "Waterloo Sunset" and Don Maclean's "Vincent" (another name-dropper and examination of the soul-crushing pressures of the world - obviously due to other causes than "Celluloid Heroes," Vincent's mental illness and sensitive nature rather than celebrity)
Fabuleux Kinks .
Des mélodies qui traversent le temps et les générations.
Des étoiles filantes pour l'éternité.
💫💫💫💫
Such a great band from the 60's-70's era. Many mentioned favorites worth listening to in comments. Mine...'A Well-respected Man.' Kinks sarcasm and commentary at its best.
Fantastic song and reaction,,,,💥💥💥👍😎
Such of a beautiful song. Usually when you think of the Kinks the first song that comes to mind is "Lola".
I'd listen to a Ray Davies "failure" rather than to most people's "successes"; he is soul full. I have learned a lot of humanness from Ray, throughout the years and years. Thanks to you Beth, for your music appreciation lessons. I have learned some things. But I do have a question: Would you give an example and discuss something that you don't like to establish a context for what you do. Thanks again. And, just saying, I have enjoyed your singing too!
One of my fave Kinks tracks. Sentiment reminds me of the John Waters quote: "Most everybody secretly imagines themselves in show business and everyday on their way to work, they're a little bit depressed because they're not...People are sad they're not famous in America".
Bit I am famous at my job! I work the meat counter in a grocery store in America. I am proud my customers love me!
''Celluloid Heroes" has meaning for me because it was the name of my ball hockey team in university. Not sure if our Captain knew of this song or if it had anything to do with our name; however, our team name was my favourite team moniker of all-time. LOL
And, yet, that was a Kinks live track from their mid-70's live-show! I really thought they were done around that time, but have a listen to anything from their State of Confusion album after that! Heh, talk about renewing themselves for a new audience...
cheers to you beth roars - you've achieved wisdom...
I adore Ray and the Kinks and this number.
I can tell you Beth as a 71 year old that happiness is family ,children and grand children that love you . Anything else is not worth a penny and it is the only thing you can take with you and say "i did this "
So insightful. Thanks Beth.
There's another great version of this song is on One for the Road live Album. Has a bit of heavier guitar but the song is still outstanding.
The Joanie Mitchell connection - Wow! I never picked up on that and I know this song since 1973. Great observation!
I love this song. Can listen to it over and over. I am happy going for a hike with my saxophone and seeing how people react to a sax in the woods. Dogs are a little confused.
The Kinks "One for the road" is one of the greatest live albums ever recorded imo
Very interesting. I'm a musician and I credit Ray for teaching me to sing. (Won't mention it to Dave) your interpretation told me much I knew, and a fair amount I hadn't thought of. Well done. Catch you next time.
I don't know how successful this song was on the charts, but when I was a kid in the 70s in New York State, they would play this every once in a while on the rock radio station. Considered sort of a masterpiece back then. Probably a lot of younger people aren't as familiar with this as songs by other groups from that period, but is such a great and unique song. The Kinks were a group that had a number of songs I didn't really like, but they also had a lot of songs I loved. They basically created the distortion sound by cutting a speaker cone with a razor on You Really Got Me. Plus, that and All Day And All Of The Night were really the first hard rock songs. I had their album Misfits and Low Budget and thought both albums were great (every song). I had their live album One For The Road, which is really a best of album done live. I recommend getting that album if you want to really know what the Kinks are all about. This was after Van Halen covered You Really Got Me and they did a more hard rocking version of it which was great (of course Dave Davies ain't Eddie Van Halen, but he didn't need to be. Great guitarist all on his own).
One of my favorite Kinks songs. I’m not sure why this live version omitted the following verse but, it’s probably my favorite verse of the song…
If you covered him with garbage
George Sanders would still have style
And if you stamped on Mickey Rooney
He would still turn round and smile
But please don't tread on dearest Marilyn
Cause she's not very tough
She should have been made of iron or steel
But she was only made of flesh and blood
They probably had to edit the song length for TV.
From my recollection of all the live Kinks shows I attended, Ray never sang that verse live.
A favorite verse of mine. It's why I always preferred the studio version
@@501625abc Same, I saw this one performed live about 8 times and that verse was never included. I always wondered why, as it is a great one.
Perhaps my favorite Kinks song. Thank you.
Your assessments are always correct. Cheers!
This song really gets me going
One of my favorite songs
Wonderful reaction Beth! You rock!
Always loved this song
This sounds so beautiful
You would enjoy the song "Days" another Kinks masterpiece.
I think the ideal we should all strive for is contentment,that we have what we need and no more.
Should have done the live version from "One More For the Road" . Was awesome in concert. Twice
Agree, the opening guitar solo is killer.
Agree. One For The Road is one of the greatest live records ever recorded. Every cut is fantastic
Saw them in 1980 ! Pure genius, and of course I bought the album, One for the road a year later ❤❤❤
Best live album. 1980 tour same I saw them first time. Celluloid Heroes perfect performance
Sir Ray Davies is a national treasure. It was said that the Rolling Stones were pornographic whilst the Kinks were geographic.
NO!!! Ray, too, fell for that aristo- bullsh*t??? That's so depressing. I thought he would take the John Lennon, Keith Richards, David Bowie route.
Great reaction to an insightful song.
I still get goosebumps hearing this song 🎵
I love this song
CH has long been my favorite Kinks song. The Kinks are the best band ever ever
Great message. Love your focus on the content.
the album version and video are great
John Dalton, John Gosling and Mick Avory are superb on this.
John Gosling, RIP 10/05/'023. Listen to that tasteful piano setting the mood for Ray's vocals.
You're dressed appropriately
I haven't heard this song for eons. I don't think that the Kinks got the airplay that they deserved.
Your really good at expressing what a song makes you feel and the thoughts it promulgates. It started w/ Shania Twain, a Canadian in whom the industry backed and foisted the idea of what Country music should be, too a country raised on Don Williams and Marty Robbins or Bakersfield Slim. Simultaneously, the OJ Simpson trial ushered in reality TV; next Paris Hilton, famous for being 'famous', and contemporary Pop-Culture was hatched. Vacuous, vapid and banal modern music: conversely, the song a ballad, a ballad the story, and the sharing of stories makes us happy!
Absolutely the best song of All time
Una canción un tanto relajante 🆗 bien 👏👏🍀🍀
The best name dropping song is The Beverly Hills Telephone Directory Cha Cha Cha. Literally somebody singing the phone book. Genius.
Beautiful
Awesome! Shouting Out GR8 Job To That Grand Ginger Beth!
Je ne sais pas ce qu'elle raconte mais on voit qu'elle se regale et ça fait plaisir,c'est vrai que cette chanson est superbe et poignante même si je ne comprend pas les paroles mais j'ai toujours senti le courant passer avec les Kinks.Que Dieu sauve le peuple anglais.!
This and Waterloo Sunset...
Ray, in modern terminology, is the G.O.A.T.
A lyrical insight that had the rare ability to observe with humour and compassion, seriousness and subtlety.
How groundbreaking the Kinks really were seems lost in the modern world, but they are among the greatest bands of all time and their albums seem to be forgotten, and yet are some of the best albums ever made.
If you aren't familiar I think - Something Else by The Kinks - The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society - Arthur (or the decline and fall of The British Empire) - Lola Vs Powerman and The Moneygoround - Muswell Hillbillies - Preservation act 1 and 2 - Sleepwalker - Low Budget - One For The Road are among the great albums of all time
🙂👍 The melody is extremely similar to "Puff The Magic Dragon." I live in Los Angeles, and whenever The Kinks performed here from 1972 onward, they always made it a point to include this song in their set for obvious reasons.
The Kinks did so many folky 'singer songwriter' style songs. Please check out Strangers and this time tomorrow.
Contentment makes us happy. Wanting what you have, not having what you want.
Need to give a listen to the Kink's (Ray's) Waterloo Sunset
Kinks are highly forgotten and underappreciated
NO WAY!!!
Epic humbling song. Lessons from popular culture really The original is best, this is a crimped version. Knowing the characters in its story brings the composition far more alive.
Hats off to the The Kinks, the best of the Invasion.
Rest in peace John ❤
The irony of people seeking 'fame' is that it is conferred on you by others and there seems to be no end of people luxuriating in anointing some artist as the 'king' of this or the 'queen' of that or the 'greatest' that ever lived as though that confers some kind of esteem on themselves...it's like a form of symbiosis that allows the entertainment industry to thrive.
👏👏👏👏👏👏
There are so many more verses in this song in other versions
There is a longer version of this song on the Album, but it does not add a great deal to flesh out the main messages of the song. The Kinks were (are) a GREAT band, fantastic live, a really wide array of material, whats not to like...