Still one of the most underrated bands from the sixties in my opinion, the Kinks are at least to be considered a legendary group for some of the fine songs Ray Davies wrote and for some of his social comments in his lyrics, the likes as "Dedicated Follower of Fashion" or "Well Respected Man", and, not to forget, "Demon Alcohol". Being known for some rather straight-forward rock tunes ("You Really Got Me" and the notorious "Lola", for example) on the one hand, they have also contributed rather poetic songs to the song book of popular music on the other hand, like "Days" (there are versions of that song by Kirsty MacColl and Elvis Costello amongst others) and the one Kinks song that I have most often in mind: Waterloo Sunset. It belongs to my childhood (primary school days) when i frequently used to listen to Kinks tunes on the radio. They were among my favourite bands although I did not understand the lyrics back then. Here is a video from UTUBE featuring the song in good audio quality - everybody knows it, i have heard it a thousand times or more, nevertheless, it is still beautiful:
Dirty old river must you keep rolling flowing into the night
people so busy make me feel dizzy taxi light shines so bright
but I don't need no friends
as long as I gaze on Waterloo Sunset I am in paradise
people so busy make me feel dizzy taxi light shines so bright
but I don't need no friends
as long as I gaze on Waterloo Sunset I am in paradise
Every day I look at the world from my window
but chilly chilly is the evening time Waterloo Sunset's fine
but chilly chilly is the evening time Waterloo Sunset's fine
Terry meets Julie Waterloo Station every Friday night
but I am so lazy don't want to wander I stay at home at night
but I don't feel afraid
as long as I gaze on Waterloo Sunset I am in paradise
but I am so lazy don't want to wander I stay at home at night
but I don't feel afraid
as long as I gaze on Waterloo Sunset I am in paradise
Every day I look at the world from my window
but chilly chilly is the evening time Waterloo Sunset's fine
but chilly chilly is the evening time Waterloo Sunset's fine
Millions of people swarming like flies 'round Waterloo Underground
but Terry and Julie cross over the river where they feel safe and sound
and they don't need no friends
as long as they gaze on Waterloo Sunset they are in paradise
but Terry and Julie cross over the river where they feel safe and sound
and they don't need no friends
as long as they gaze on Waterloo Sunset they are in paradise
Waterloo Sunset's fine
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI agree you can listen again and again and hear the beauty in Waterloo Sunset. I first heard it as a child as well - must have been about eight or nine - and have written about that experience in my own blog:
http://sweetwordsofpismotality.blogspot.com/2010/09/gnome-thoughts-8.html
Tony