The Kinks — Come Dancing
Album: Best Of The Kinks 1977-1980Avg rating:
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Total ratings: 751
Length: 3:53
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They put a parking lot on a piece of land
Where the supermarket used to stand
Before that, they put up a bowling alley
On the site that used to be the local palais
That's where the big bands used to come and play
My sister went there on a Saturday
Come dancing
All her boyfriends used to come and call
Why not come dancing?
It's only natural
Another Saturday, another date
She would be ready, but she'd always make him wait
In the hallway, in anticipation
He didn't know the night would end up in frustration
He'd end up blowing all his wages for the week
All for a cuddle and a peck on the cheek
Come dancing
That's how they did it when I was just a kid
And when they said come dancing
My sister always did
My sister should have come in at midnight
And my mom would always sit up and wait
It always ended up in a big row
When my sister used to get home late
Out of my window I could see them in the moonlight
Two silhouettes saying good nights by the garden gate
''What are you doing out there?
Come on! Are you gonna be out there all night?''
The day they knocked down the palais
My sister stood and cried
The day they knocked down the palais
Part of my childhood died, just died
Now I'm grown up and playing in a band
And there's a car park where the palais used to stand
My sister's married, and she lives on an estate
Her daughters go out, now it's her turn to wait
She knows they get away with things she never could
But if I asked her, I wonder if she would
Come dancing
Come on, sister, have yourself a ball
Don't be afraid to come dancing
It's only natural
Come dancing
Just like the palais on a Saturday
And all her friends would come dancing
While the big bands used to play
Where the supermarket used to stand
Before that, they put up a bowling alley
On the site that used to be the local palais
That's where the big bands used to come and play
My sister went there on a Saturday
Come dancing
All her boyfriends used to come and call
Why not come dancing?
It's only natural
Another Saturday, another date
She would be ready, but she'd always make him wait
In the hallway, in anticipation
He didn't know the night would end up in frustration
He'd end up blowing all his wages for the week
All for a cuddle and a peck on the cheek
Come dancing
That's how they did it when I was just a kid
And when they said come dancing
My sister always did
My sister should have come in at midnight
And my mom would always sit up and wait
It always ended up in a big row
When my sister used to get home late
Out of my window I could see them in the moonlight
Two silhouettes saying good nights by the garden gate
''What are you doing out there?
Come on! Are you gonna be out there all night?''
The day they knocked down the palais
My sister stood and cried
The day they knocked down the palais
Part of my childhood died, just died
Now I'm grown up and playing in a band
And there's a car park where the palais used to stand
My sister's married, and she lives on an estate
Her daughters go out, now it's her turn to wait
She knows they get away with things she never could
But if I asked her, I wonder if she would
Come dancing
Come on, sister, have yourself a ball
Don't be afraid to come dancing
It's only natural
Come dancing
Just like the palais on a Saturday
And all her friends would come dancing
While the big bands used to play
Comments (163)add comment
Like another poster, growing up in the 80s this song introduced me to the Kinks via MTV. always enjoyed this song and video. Thanks for including it on the rotation. Brings back good memories.
Makes me smile
I like the modulation...key change.
The first song on radio paradise which caused me to turn it off. 
lawman wrote:
Because it's a lovely, happy song, with a great beat, you dork! :-D
Well said.
Because it's a lovely, happy song, with a great beat, you dork! :-D
Well said.
Ahnyer_Keester wrote:
Right there with you buddy. I never understood why this song was a hit.
Because it's a lovely, happy song, with a great beat, you dork! :-D
Right there with you buddy. I never understood why this song was a hit.
Because it's a lovely, happy song, with a great beat, you dork! :-D
....nice....
............not.......
............not.......Like the Kinks, this was not one of their better efforts. MTV back in the day ran the video putting a bad image to it.
Ahnyer_Keester wrote:
Right there with you buddy. I never understood why this song was a hit.
Same reason that Taco's Puttin' On the Ritz was popular.
Right there with you buddy. I never understood why this song was a hit.
Same reason that Taco's Puttin' On the Ritz was popular.
Not a Kinks fan, but this one is tolerable. Seems they are appropriately not taking themselves too seriously.
I wish I could give this one a negative rating.
I couldn't find "mute" so I tried the PSD button on the top of the radio paradise home page and the station changed the song! Cool, much better than having to mute this song... Thanks!
How can such a great band come up with such a lame tune?
MattB099 wrote:
Right there with you buddy. I never understood why this song was a hit.
Its very rare that I mute this station but this is the track that I have to mute every time.
please stop!
please stop!
Right there with you buddy. I never understood why this song was a hit.
Its very rare that I mute this station but this is the track that I have to mute every time.
please stop!
please stop!
Isn't this lame or what?
My first exposure to the Kinks (thanks MTV)
Still awesome
Still awesome
rachlan wrote:
I did when I was kid and naw, you really don't.
i want to live on an estate.
I did when I was kid and naw, you really don't.
Oh no Bill - You didn't!
I did not expect to hear "suppe-steg-is" music on RP..!
fredriley wrote:
I've always loved this - it's such a wonderful story-song. The big-band sound only makes me long for simpler times when it really WAS about a guy spending his hard-earned money on a woman, hoping to get more than a hug and kiss. Um, Fred, what's "houghmagandy"? If I take that word in context, it sounds like another word for "romance," without the romance.''
Whatever the case, the song holds a soft spot in my heart. (God, I'm getting sappy these days!)
Ah, how society changes over time. The idea that a guy could "blow his wages for the week" for "a cuddle and a kiss on the cheek" is so dated these days. With women and men working, it's as likely that a woman could be wining and dining a bloke in expectation of a bit of houghmagandy for her efforts. And rightly so, IMO :o)
I've always loved this - it's such a wonderful story-song. The big-band sound only makes me long for simpler times when it really WAS about a guy spending his hard-earned money on a woman, hoping to get more than a hug and kiss. Um, Fred, what's "houghmagandy"? If I take that word in context, it sounds like another word for "romance," without the romance.''
Whatever the case, the song holds a soft spot in my heart. (God, I'm getting sappy these days!)
crogers wrote:
Simply wretched; ugghhh.
SO true. How the hell did this ever get released? Even the lyrics are forced, jammed into the song. Sounds so ... boyish. Ah, how society changes over time. The idea that a guy could "blow his wages for the week" for "a cuddle and a kiss on the cheek" is so dated these days. With women and men working, it's as likely that a woman could be wining and dining a bloke in expectation of a bit of houghmagandy for her efforts. And rightly so, IMO :o)
This song reminds me of a filthy old joke about Peter West, who used to compere the old BBC show Come Dancing (forerunner to Strictly Come Dancing):
Q: Why does Peter West wear tight leather trousers?
A: So that he can come dancing.
I'll get me coat...
This song reminds me of a filthy old joke about Peter West, who used to compere the old BBC show Come Dancing (forerunner to Strictly Come Dancing):
Q: Why does Peter West wear tight leather trousers?
A: So that he can come dancing.
I'll get me coat...
garycha wrote:
End of the pier stuff is exactly what this song is about and it represents it very well.
What have they done since Waterloo Sunset that is worthy ? Try Low Budget, the whole album is a masterpiece and listenable from beginning to end. It may just be their best album in the context of an album of related songs, period.
Can't stand the naff fairground organ sound production and the poor singing. End of the pier stuff. What have the Kinks (Ray Davies) ever done that bettered Waterloo Sunset?
End of the pier stuff is exactly what this song is about and it represents it very well.
What have they done since Waterloo Sunset that is worthy ? Try Low Budget, the whole album is a masterpiece and listenable from beginning to end. It may just be their best album in the context of an album of related songs, period.
Splendid little artifact from every angle; stands as a reminder of things past. A production in itself, regardless of rough edges.
Tone down out for the knee-jerks, fer heaven's sake, compadres.
Tone down out for the knee-jerks, fer heaven's sake, compadres.
gee whiz it's not bad
garycha wrote:
Can't stand the naff fairground organ sound production and the poor singing. End of the pier stuff...
Ah, a reference as campy as this sweet (mostly harmless) song! crogers wrote:
+1
Had to leave the room. The little lady had to turn it off.
Simply wretched; ugghhh.
+1
Had to leave the room. The little lady had to turn it off.
Simply wretched; ugghhh.
rachlan wrote:
I once lived in an estate wagon !
i want to live on an estate.
I once lived in an estate wagon !
I wonder, outside of The Beatles mind you, if there was an invasion band more inventive across so many genres as The Kinks. Amazing band, and this song is emblematic of how very eclectic they could be.
omfg! The worst Kinks song in the history of the universe!
This man can't sing!
I didn't like it when it was released and don't like it now.
Yuk on every level.
Yuk on every level.
one of the best videos ever! we miss you Martha Quinn!
Dillinquent wrote:
I think the album you are referring to is "Sleepwalker", which this song is not on. This was on "State of Confusion" IIRC.
haresfur wrote:
This one comes from their album 'Nightstalker' which is very dark and well worth a listen.
Is there any band with more compilation albums than the Kinks?
Probably not. This one comes from their album 'Nightstalker' which is very dark and well worth a listen.
I think the album you are referring to is "Sleepwalker", which this song is not on. This was on "State of Confusion" IIRC.
LowPhreak wrote:
Ditto.
Kills me when someone criticizes a song for poor singing then gives 10s to Bob Dylan.
Ditto.
Kills me when someone criticizes a song for poor singing then gives 10s to Bob Dylan.
garycha wrote:
Ditto.
Can't stand the naff fairground organ sound production and the poor singing. End of the pier stuff.
Ditto.
garycha wrote:
I would say all of "Arthur."
Can't stand the naff fairground organ sound production and the poor singing. End of the pier stuff. What have the Kinks (Ray Davies) ever done that bettered Waterloo Sunset?
I would say all of "Arthur."
Can't stand the naff fairground organ sound production and the poor singing. End of the pier stuff. What have the Kinks (Ray Davies) ever done that bettered Waterloo Sunset?
TimeWaster wrote: True. Ray does not exactly have a mellifluous tenor. I have no idea what anyone ever saw in them.
*snerk*
That's some bad singing right there...
*snerk*
That's some bad singing right there...
Ray Davies always does an excellent job of painting an image in my mind with his lyrics, this one is no exception.
i want to live on an estate.
Awww. This song just made me sad. Last night I went to see Billy Kreutzman & The Seven Walkers @ Revolution Hall in Troy, NY. The place is closing next month. It's my favorite venue in the world. Had such a great time last night. This song reminds me of all we're gonna miss. *sniff
Sure, many Kinks fans don't like this era as much as the classic, early material, but this just brings back good memories, so it gets a 7!
Somehow I catch this everytime it rolls around...WTF?
This past hour has been one outstanding set. Not just one tune, but the conglomeration has risen to an ethereal height.
While I can relate to the "scenario" being from London...I woke up with this song in my head the other morning...now this!!
Rolls eyes.....
Rolls eyes.....
AdyMiles wrote:
No no no . . . This makes one happy.
Ho hum. This is bad
No no no . . . This makes one happy.
haresfur wrote:
Probably due to a pile of bad record deals. Ray was/is an astonishing songwriter, but it seems he's a horrible business man. I reckon a lot of those compilations were released whether he wanted them to be or not.
Is there any band with more compilation albums than the Kinks?
Probably due to a pile of bad record deals. Ray was/is an astonishing songwriter, but it seems he's a horrible business man. I reckon a lot of those compilations were released whether he wanted them to be or not.
haresfur wrote:
This one comes from their album 'Nightstalker' which is very dark and well worth a listen.
Is there any band with more compilation albums than the Kinks?
Probably not. This one comes from their album 'Nightstalker' which is very dark and well worth a listen.
haresfur wrote:
Yes, every band today that can't seem to sell a full album, only single iPod tunes.
Is there any band with more compilation albums than the Kinks?
Yes, every band today that can't seem to sell a full album, only single iPod tunes.
Is there any band with more compilation albums than the Kinks?
Remember sitting in a bar in Jamaica listening to a steel drum reggae band and they broke into this one. Go figure.
As part of the original MTV generation, this is a classic... Hooray RP! 
Heh, they used to play this a lot when I'd go roller skating as a kid back in the early 80s. Anyone remember what roller skates are?
Do they even sell them anymore?
Yes! Great 5 p.m. song. So out of character... but I like it!
romeotuma wrote:
This song is good for the ears...
you'd say that about boxing
This song is good for the ears...
you'd say that about boxing
Ho hum. This is bad
Meh. Because I'm feeling really, really generous.
Is this meant to be that cheesy ?
reminds me of the infamous Goombay Dance Band.
reminds me of the infamous Goombay Dance Band.
bobcat1963 wrote:
Yeah, that cheesy Farfisa will get you every time...except this one's a Wurlitzer.
nice song
remands me of Doug Sahm's "Mendicino"!
remands me of Doug Sahm's "Mendicino"!
Yeah, that cheesy Farfisa will get you every time...except this one's a Wurlitzer.
Adore the wurlitzer harmonies.
The History of Pop music in one song!
The History of Pop music in one song!
7 to 8
Kinks is Kinks and as time passes and you get away from the boring repetition of terradio playlists old things sound better.
Kinks is Kinks and as time passes and you get away from the boring repetition of terradio playlists old things sound better.
ok, now we're at the barn party 
Oh, gosh. My brother and I had a Top 40 compilation record called "Dance Madness" and we wore it out as kids in the playroom. This song was on there.
Ray Davies has always been more creative, talented, intelligent, and successful than his critics.
bobcat1963 wrote:
Ooooh a fan of the Sir Douglas Quintet. Cool.
nice song
remands me of Doug Sahm's "Mendicino"!
remands me of Doug Sahm's "Mendicino"!
Ooooh a fan of the Sir Douglas Quintet. Cool.
TanteJensen wrote:
This ain't tripe. I thought so, too, but then I read the lyrics. Actually, I think it is very clever. 'Cos it's not at all about childhood or adolescence nostalgia. It's not about his (the singer's) sister then, but about her now, how much she has changed and has forgotten about how it was to let loose and have fun and just enjoy yourself. For now she sits up and rows with her kids.
But that doesn't come up until the last verse, where everyone is into the nostalgia picture they don't see why she shouldn't come dancing today. OK, so not everyone, as some have bailed out already. Maybe not that clever after all.
Clever or not, I always first concentrate on the music, and in this case I really don't like it..
This ain't tripe. I thought so, too, but then I read the lyrics. Actually, I think it is very clever. 'Cos it's not at all about childhood or adolescence nostalgia. It's not about his (the singer's) sister then, but about her now, how much she has changed and has forgotten about how it was to let loose and have fun and just enjoy yourself. For now she sits up and rows with her kids.
But that doesn't come up until the last verse, where everyone is into the nostalgia picture they don't see why she shouldn't come dancing today. OK, so not everyone, as some have bailed out already. Maybe not that clever after all.
Clever or not, I always first concentrate on the music, and in this case I really don't like it..
gekkosan wrote:
True that.
The power of nostlagia... Used to dislike this song intensely when it first came out.
It was fun listening to it again, now.
No need to play it too often, though.
It was fun listening to it again, now.
No need to play it too often, though.
True that.
nice song
remands me of Doug Sahm's "Mendicino"!
remands me of Doug Sahm's "Mendicino"!
Kinks are always great.
musically this differs from most
lyrically it is especially sweet and sentimental
coffee-eyes wrote:
Better this than Lo-Lo-Lo-Lo-LA!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love the Kinks, but alas, do not love this. Eh. 
Better this than Lo-Lo-Lo-Lo-LA!!!!!!!!!!!!
no comment - 8.
snitramc wrote:
This ain't tripe. I thought so, too, but then I read the lyrics. Actually, I think it is very clever. 'Cos it's not at all about childhood or adolescence nostalgia. It's not about his (the singer's) sister then, but about her now, how much she has changed and has forgotten about how it was to let loose and have fun and just enjoy yourself. For now she sits up and rows with her kids.
But that doesn't come up until the last verse, where everyone is into the nostalgia picture they don't see why she shouldn't come dancing today. OK, so not everyone, as some have bailed out already. Maybe not that clever after all.
Uckkk! Yugghh! This is the worst piece of tripe from some of the best songwriters ever to walk the planet. Hate it hate it hate it.
This ain't tripe. I thought so, too, but then I read the lyrics. Actually, I think it is very clever. 'Cos it's not at all about childhood or adolescence nostalgia. It's not about his (the singer's) sister then, but about her now, how much she has changed and has forgotten about how it was to let loose and have fun and just enjoy yourself. For now she sits up and rows with her kids.
But that doesn't come up until the last verse, where everyone is into the nostalgia picture they don't see why she shouldn't come dancing today. OK, so not everyone, as some have bailed out already. Maybe not that clever after all.
This is really painful to listen to - even moreso than most other Kinks songs.
TanteJensen wrote:
Q: Why does Peter West wear skin-tight leather trousers?
A: So he can come dancing
It's the way I tell 'em :o)
I read in an interview that the first version of the chorus didn't go
.. and when they said "come dancing
my sister always did.
That reminds me of an ancient joke about Peter West, who used to compere a BBC TV prog called Come Dancing:.. and when they said "come dancing
my sister always did.
Q: Why does Peter West wear skin-tight leather trousers?
A: So he can come dancing
It's the way I tell 'em :o)
I read in an interview that the first version of the chorus didn't go
.. and when they said "come dancing
my sister always did.
but
.. and when they said "come dancing
my sister always declined and said, she'd rather stay here complaining about the music currently playing, as the original version of the song was highly superior.
But the record company didn't go for it. Damn.
.. and when they said "come dancing
my sister always did.
but
.. and when they said "come dancing
my sister always declined and said, she'd rather stay here complaining about the music currently playing, as the original version of the song was highly superior.
But the record company didn't go for it. Damn.
Ray Davies & co actually wrote, recorded and released this?! The thought scares me.
Uckkk! Yugghh! This is the worst piece of tripe from some of the best songwriters ever to walk the planet. Hate it hate it hate it. I'd rather vote for gwb than listen to this. And I've stated my opinion before, but as long as Bill keeps playing it, I'll keep hatin' on it.
Odd to hear the word 'row' in two consective songs on rp. Bicker and row, end up in a row. It's also odd now to look at the word here, it seems more to do with oars.
I'm an old time radio guy. What did you do to your mic on the break right before the kinks?
It sounded way compressed and fat. Not as good as the old sound.
Did anyone else notice besides me?
snitramc wrote:
i love this! 
and i love the kinks. this song...meh. nice to hear once every 10 or so years...
The Kinks are cool. This song is so lame it makes Jim Croce sound like Frank Zappa.
i love this!
and i love the kinks. this song...meh. nice to hear once every 10 or so years...
The power of nostlagia... Used to dislike this song intensely when it first came out.
It was fun listening to it again, now.
No need to play it too often, though.
No need to play it too often, though. Even an elevator wouldn't play it... Where have you found this track ? No. don not answer, but please don't try more of this stuff...
Candela wrote:
This rocks! 
:)
I agree!!
This song is like a memory of something I never really experienced (I was born in a different time and place). It always gives me a warm melancholy feeling.
:)Love the Kinks, but alas, do not love this. Eh.
The day they knocked down the palais
My sister stood and cried.
The day they knocked down the palais
Part of my childhood died, just died.
dancingfox wrote:
(trash deleted)
Isn't this the kind of crap we don't want to see here? This is a classy place, one we want our kids to be able to check out as they discover music, so please keep your salacious and immature - not to mention egocentric - comments to yourself.
Saw Ray and Co. tear em up in Seattle in "76."
But, which person on this cover is Ray. . well ya know wadd I mean..."Kinks"
Old school MTV, Ray Davies was so slick...
This rocks! :)
:)This song sounds like those played by cheap tropical musicians on fifteen-year birthdays and weddings in Mexico's poor neighborhoods (I am mexican, nationalist chauvinists, go back!)
Oh my god: cheap and ugly. Rigo Tovar should have a cover of this... let me look around...
The Kinks are cool. This song is so lame it makes Jim Croce sound like Frank Zappa.
Waybo wrote:
Crap-itude.
Craptacular.
Crap-itude.
(trash deleted)
Mustache Ride Anyone?
Shit!
Love the album cover.
Am I the only guy who remembers the old B&W film noire flicks back the 30's and 40's where all the guys trimmed their moustashio's like the guy on the album cover? The all had this tiny stripe on their upper lips.
"20th Century Man," this is not. 
iTuner wrote:
This is where the Kinks jumped the shark.
no doubt
LongGoneDaddy wrote:
makes me think of Martha Quinn back in the day...
Stuffin' Martha's Muffin!
This song stopped me from taking the Kinks seriously for about 20 years and I still find the (what I assume must be) deliberate cheesie-ness difficult to take.
If you like The Kinks, listen to Underground Garage on Sirius. I think Ray Davies has stock in it or something.
makes me think of Martha Quinn back in the day...
This is one of those that will be forever linked with a Time. I hear it and I'm back then, just like that.
This is where the Kinks jumped the shark.
The day they knocked down the palais
My sister stood and cried.
The day they knocked down the palais
Part of my childhood died, just died.
Wow what a song to hear here! Now where is Leader of The Laundromat and Troglodyte?
horstman wrote:
This song is so "pop" for the Kinks. It just grates when compared to the rest of their library.
But it helped to fill the coffeurs, what the hell.
Take it or leave it for me.
4
if you don't have a sentimental or nostalgic side you're not going to like it I guess or a lot of other music - the rest of us get it I imagine
Wake up, California people!! I loved watching this video back in the early days of MTV.
I still have the 45.
Schlager at RP. Interesting... kind of...This song is so \"pop\" for the Kinks. It just grates when compared to the rest of their library.
But it helped to fill the coffeurs, what the hell.
Take it or leave it for me.
4
Alpine wrote:
What is talking about? Going to the "Parly"? Knock down the "Parly"?
palais
What is talking about? Going to the \"Parly\"? Knock down the \"Parly\"?
On his off time, Dad took some Arthur Murray dance lessons, and was soon frequenting the late 1940's dance halls, where he met my Mom.
Dad became a really good dancer, and passed on his love of dancing to me. It just doesn't get any better than dancing to a good live band on a crowded dance floor - thanks Dad!