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Rating:
Year of grace 1967: the year in which several masterworks of pop-rock come to light. Music that over these forty years has captivated millions and has revolutionized customs and trends. The band I am reviewing here is certainly one of those groups that deserved better fate.
In my opinion, the Kinks are, along with a few other bands, among the best of what popular music produced in the latter half of the iconic '60s. After releasing two albums of good quality (especially the previous "Face To Face") in which they demonstrated their ability to create excellent singles like "You Really Got Me" (later covered by Van Halen) and "Sunny Afternoon", the Kinks released this "Something Else By The Kinks", a pivotal album between their early career and the later phase where they would even tackle the concept album. Surprising is the ability that leader Ray Davies now has in telling stories and characters. Emblematic is the poignant "Death Of A Clown" (Doesn't it remind you of Chaplin's "Limelight"?) which I consider the peak of the album in terms of pathos, but which is also interesting from a musical standpoint.
The opening track "David Watts" with its piano setting the pace shouldn't be forgotten, nor should the psychedelic "Lazy Old Sun" that seems to draw from the Beatles of those years; but also the splendid melody of "Waterloo Sunset" and the surprising "Harry Rag" with its military rhythm.
With this album, the Kinks start getting really serious and soon after they would produce two masterpieces like "The Village Green Preservation Society" and "Arthur" which immortalized English society of those years. Unable to decide whether to give it 4 or 5 stars, in the end, I decided to give it one less considering the two great subsequent albums. If you love the Beatles, Stones, and Who, you'll certainly appreciate it.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 David Watts (02:39)
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 can't 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)
02 Death of a Clown (03:13)
My makeup is dry and it clags 'round my chin
I'm drowning my sorrows in whisky and gin
The lion tamer's whip doesn't crack anymore
The lions they won't fight and the tigers won't roar
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
So let's all drink to the death of a clown
Won't someone help me to break up this crown
Let's all drink to the death of a clown
Let's all drink to the death of a clown
The old fortune teller lies dead on the floor
Nobody needs fortunes told anymore
The trainer of insects is crouched on his knees
And frantically looking for runaway fleas
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Let's all drink to the death of a clown
So won't someone help me to break up this crown
Let's all drink to the death of a clown
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Let's all drink to the death of a clown
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
03 Two Sisters (02:02)
Sylvilla looked into her mirror
Percilla looked into the washing machine
And the drudgery of being wed
She was so jealous of her sister
And her liberty, and her smart young friends
She was so jealous of her sister
Sylvilla looked into the wardrobe
Percilla looked into the frying pan
And the bacon and eggs
And the breakfast is served
She was so jealous of her sister
And her way of life, and her luxury flat
She was so jealous of her sister
She threw away her dirty dishes just to be free again
Her women's weekly magazines just to be free again
And put the children in the nursery just to be free again
Percilla saw her little children
And then decided she was better off
Than the wayward lass that her sister had been
No longer jealous of her sister
So she ran 'round the house with her curlers on
No longer jealous of her sister
04 No Return (02:02)
If, if I could see
Just how lonely my life would be
If you passed me by and said farewell
And there is no return
Stars would shine no more
I would walk up and down this lonely room
I would have friends, but be alone
For there is no return
For you were my first love
And now it looks like you've gone
And I have waited too long
For if, if I could see
Just how lonely my life would be
If you passed me by and said farewell
And there is no return
There is no return
05 Harry Rag (02:17)
Oh, Tom is young and tom is bold
Tom is as Bold as a night of old
But whenever he gets in a bit of a jam
There's nothing we won't do to get a harry rag
Harry rag, harry rag
Do anything just to get a harry rag
And he curses himself for the life he's lead
Then he rolls himself a harry rag and puts himself to bed.
Oh, tom's old mum is a dying lass
Soon they recon she'll be pushing up the grass
And he bones might break and her skin might sag
But she's still got enough strength to have a harry rag
Harry rag, harry rag
Do anything just to get a harry rag
And she curses himself for the life he's lead
Then she rolls herself a harry rag and puts herself to bed.
Oh, bless your taxman bless his soul
He may take some, but will never take it all
If I give it all, I won't feel sad
As long as I have enough to buy a harry rag
Harry rag, harry rag
Do anything just to get a harry rag
And I curse myself for the life I've lead
Then I roll myself a harry rag and puts myself to bed.
Oh, the smart young ladies of the land
Country lasses without a harry in their hand
Then they light one up and boast and brag
So content they got a harry rag
Harry rag, harry rag
Do anything just to get a harry rag
Then they light one up and boast and brag
So content they got a harry rag
Hey, harry rag, harry rag,
I'll do anything just to get a harry rag
And I curse myself for the life I've lead
Then I roll myself a harry rag and puts myself to bed
07 Situation Vacant (03:11)
Suzy and Johnny were happy
Earned enough to pay the rent
But Johnny's mother-in-law had too much ambition
And this made Johnny very upset
So to keep his little mama satisfied
He went and bought the weekly classified
All for peace and quiet's sake
Johnny gave up his position
Just to please his mother-in-law
So he left the job where he'd been all his life
He left and turned his back on door
Now he's looking at the situations vacant
Situations vacant
Just to keep his little mama satisfied
He went and bought the weekly classified
All for peace and quiet's sake
Then he had to leave the apartment
And sought a less plush residence
And poor Suzy and Johnny had to skimp and save
Just to help to pay the weekly rent
So to keep his little mama satisfied
He went and bought the weekly classified
All for peace and quiet's sake
Johnny's got no money
Got no where to go
Johnny's in a great big hole
Suzy's separated, living with her ma
Now little mama's satisfied
11 Funny Face (02:27)
You're walking 'round in my memory
That only gets stronger and stronger
Smudged mascara and pill-shaped eyes
Everything you want was bought with lies.
But what can I do about it
The say you won't last any longer
All the gates of love you won't walk through
The only gates you see are colored blue.
I see you peering through frosted windows
Eyes don't smile, all they do is cry
Funny Face, she's all right
Funny Face, she's all right
Funny Face, she's all right
Oh how can I live without her
The doctors won't let me see her
But I can catch a glimpse through the doorway
Of the girl that I love and care for
I see you peering through frosted windows
Eyes don't smile, all they do is cry
Funny Face, she's all right
Funny Face, she's all right
Funny Face, she's all right
13 Waterloo Sunset (03:16)
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
Sha-la-la
Every day I look at the world from my window
Sha-la-la
But chilly, chilly is the evening time
Waterloo sunset's fine (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
Sha-la-la
Every day I look at the world from my window
Sha-la-la
But chilly, chilly is the evening time
Waterloo sunset's fine (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
Waterloo sunset's fine
Waterloo sunset's fine
Waterloo sunset's fine
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