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Sex was bad, called obscene
And the rich were so mean
Stately homes for the Lords
Croquet lawns, village greens
Victoria was my queen
Victoria
Victoria
Victoria, 'toria
I was born, lucky me
In a land that I love
Though I'm poor, I am free
When I grow, I shall fight
For this land, I shall die
Let her sun never set
Victoria
Victoria
Victoria, 'toria
Victoria
Victoria
Victoria, 'toria
Land of hope and gloria
Land of my Victoria
Land of hope and gloria
Land of my Victoria
Victoria, 'toria
Victoria
Victoria
Victoria, 'toria
Canada to India
Australia to Cornwall
Singapore to Hong Kong
From the west to the east
From the rich to the poor
Victoria loved them all
Victoria
Victoria
Victoria, 'toria
Victoria
Victoria
Victoria
Lola?
I confess that I thought this song was by The Fall until just now.
I should have known better!
Me too!
I should have known better!
Since my plan is to move there in just over a year from now, from Winnipeg.
Thank you RP for the subtle encouragement as I prepare to embark on a new chapter of my life !
This album was one of the first real rock operas. I don't know how many ever thought of it as that, but it is what it is.
I sure did!!
Called my daughter, held the phone to the speaker. Guess what her name is.
Kink! ?
Kinky...
Sex was bad, called obscene
after hearing 'Victoria' on the radio.
Loved the rhythm guitar.
But Sir Droseph: how can you write all that impassioned claptrap about the subversiveness of the Kinks when the song at hand is Victoria--an unabashed paean to the glory of British Imperialism? Or do you think they're just being ironic?
But it is, essentially, being ironic. The lyric is stated from the perspective of a blindly loyal subject of Queen Victoria.
GREAT TUNE!! ICONIC!!
I Agree!!
Bump.
RParadise
(Hastings-on-Hudson, NY)
Since the subject at hand is the album Arthur, I can only assume that you've never sat down and listened to this album straight through. It puts the lie to your statement that they were a "garage band". Songs like Some Mother's Son, Australia and She's Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina are as brilliant lyrical attacks on war, emmigration dreams and worship of the Royals as have ever been written. These songs would be booed off the stage by the audience that I assume you think frequent skating rinks and proms. But for the rebellious youth of the late 60s and early 70s (who could listen to the lyrics of Lola in 1970 and not feel part of a subversive experience?), Ray Davies spoke to us loud and clear. For those of us who lived through the Kinks' era, they are neither overrated or underrated. We know exactly where they stand.
But Sir Droseph: how can you write all that impassioned claptrap about the subversiveness of the Kinks when the song at hand is Victoria--an unabashed paean to the glory of British Imperialism? Or do you think they're just being ironic?
Small bar band in KC asked for requests back when I was in college....they said, "Hey, how about a request from a girl?!" and called on me in the crowd. I requested Victoria and they said "Who? Never heard of it." I was mortified that I let down my entire gender and have never requested a song from a band again. I'm 62.
In uni, my group of friend would regularly harass bands to play some Kinks. I suppose we were pretty obnoxious but they really should have learned some.
Their Loss.
They sound like Canned Heat on the verses.
justin4kick wrote:
This song is from 1969.
It sounds a lot like Canned Heat's Going up the Country which is from 1968.
Vindication! ; )
I know, right? they were very underrated I love them more and more as I get older
Me too.
Nice to hear!
I'll work on it.
Me too.
Yes, Canned Heat.
btw, this song came out in 1969, the year of . . . Woodstock.
Canned Heat had already been around for 4 years.
It was just a lighthearted comment; try not to get yourself so worked up.
Ah, come on guys (or girls). Two of my favourite commentators having a go at each other.
Shane fired the Pogues?
So true. People always say, "Who would you rather: The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?" I always say The Kinks. It usually throws them
It's all the bad weather... really gets you all cooped-up and introspective....
Yes, Canned Heat.
btw, this song came out in 1969, the year of . . . Woodstock.
Canned Heat had already been around for 4 years.
It was just a lighthearted comment; try not to get yourself so worked up.
I'll work on it.
Not only does it have short comments from 20+ big name musicians about what the Kinks mean to them but the highlight is a short essay by David Bowie talking about when he first heard the Kinks and moments in his life when their music were his touch points.
Canned Heat - the hippie, quasi-blues band? It sounds to me, like The Kinks, who were putting out records before Canned Heat existed.
Yes, Canned Heat.
btw, this song came out in 1969, the year of . . . Woodstock.
Canned Heat had already been around for 4 years.
It was just a lighthearted comment; try not to get yourself so worked up.
It does a bit. I've just spent 10 minutes copying, pasting, rotating and mirroring in my signwriting program. I can't post the graphic 'cos it's only on my PC. God, I'm bored.
This song is from 1969. It sounds a lot like Canned Heat's Going up the Country which is from 1968.
It has a similar "thin" guitar sound and strumming tempo, with an entirely different chord progression.
This song is from 1969. It sounds a lot like Canned Heat's Going up the Country which is from 1968.
No, no it simply doesn't!
That rhythm guitar got me about 40 years ago ~
As for The Kinks, from raw and raucous You Really Got Me to the fun but thoughtful social critique of Victoria. That's its own truth.
TerryS
(Another SW)
mdnlsn wrote:
Yes, though many heavy, difficult issues woven through those catchy lyrics. Here in Canada, we're going through a whole Truth & Reconciliation Commission to deal with the effects of that colonial mess.
The Kinks formed 1963
Canned Heat formed 1965
This song is from 1969. It sounds a lot like Canned Heat's Going up the Country which is from 1968.
Yes, though many heavy, difficult issues woven through those catchy lyrics. Here in Canada, we're going through a whole Truth & Reconciliation Commission to deal with the effects of that colonial mess.
Perhaps the Church should shoulder some of the burden/blame.
Maybe cause they is a sh%t ton of them up here now.
Yes, though many heavy, difficult issues woven through those catchy lyrics. Here in Canada, we're going through a whole Truth & Reconciliation Commission to deal with the effects of that colonial mess.
This whole album is brilliant start to finish - written for a left wing TV programme that never got made.
The Kinks formed 1963
Canned Heat formed 1965
(and yes, I know that's a different album).
Canned Heat - the hippie, quasi-blues band? It sounds to me, like The Kinks, who were putting out records before Canned Heat existed.
Both Waterloo Sunset and Victoria are on the "Classics: The Best of the Kinks" album available on iTunes.
awesome. i wonder if walter is, too. will have to check.
the village green society i need to purchase. been too long without.
Both Waterloo Sunset and Victoria are on the "Classics: The Best of the Kinks" album available on iTunes.
Thanks very, very much for the tip, Hannio!
It is a nice sound, very clean electric with the acoustic rhythm. I think Dave Davies was using a Les Paul a lot around this time.
LAst time I checked, you couldn't buy the single version of "Waterloo Sunset" on iTunes either. A serious shame. The Kinks did a lot of interesting work in the 60s and 70s like this album that somehow got blocked from most American listeners in the 80s and beyond. Dumb contractual obligations? Ray Davies keeping his older work from the digital age? Idiotic record companies? I don't understand.
Both Waterloo Sunset and Victoria are on the "Classics: The Best of the Kinks" album available on iTunes.
RParadise
(Hastings-on-Hudson, NY)
sirdroseph wrote:
Since the subject at hand is the album Arthur, I can only assume that you've never sat down and listened to this album straight through. It puts the lie to your statement that they were a "garage band". Songs like Some Mother's Son, Australia and She's Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina are as brilliant lyrical attacks on war, emmigration dreams and worship of the Royals as have ever been written. These songs would be booed off the stage by the audience that I assume you think frequent skating rinks and proms. But for the rebellious youth of the late 60s and early 70s (who could listen to the lyrics of Lola in 1970 and not feel part of a subversive experience?), Ray Davies spoke to us loud and clear. For those of us who lived through the Kinks' era, they are neither overrated or underrated. We know exactly where they stand.
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LAst time I checked, you couldn't buy the single version of "Waterloo Sunset" on iTunes either. A serious shame. The Kinks did a lot of interesting work in the 60s and 70s like this album that somehow got blocked from most American listeners in the 80s and beyond. Dumb contractual obligations? Ray Davies keeping his older work from the digital age? Idiotic record companies? I don't understand.
Definitely some intrigue with how their material has been released over the years. I have this on vinyl fortunately.
I had to wait for the mid 90's or so for their album Low Budget to finally get released on CD. Worth the wait.
Got to see them over the years many times in Cleveland in small halls. Always a great show.
saw them when I was a kid - at the school dance!
LAst time I checked, you couldn't buy the single version of "Waterloo Sunset" on iTunes either. A serious shame. The Kinks did a lot of interesting work in the 60s and 70s like this album that somehow got blocked from most American listeners in the 80s and beyond. Dumb contractual obligations? Ray Davies keeping his older work from the digital age? Idiotic record companies? I don't understand.
most definitely
Since the subject at hand is the album Arthur, I can only assume that you've never sat down and listened to this album straight through. It puts the lie to your statement that they were a "garage band". Songs like Some Mother's Son, Australia and She's Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina are as brilliant lyrical attacks on war, emmigration dreams and worship of the Royals as have ever been written. These songs would be booed off the stage by the audience that I assume you think frequent skating rinks and proms. But for the rebellious youth of the late 60s and early 70s (who could listen to the lyrics of Lola in 1970 and not feel part of a subversive experience?), Ray Davies spoke to us loud and clear. For those of us who lived through the Kinks' era, they are neither overrated or underrated. We know exactly where they stand.
Thanks for that smackdown RParadise! Some folks are clueless.
This reminds me of a great vignette from Ray Davies autobiography: Once while opening for the Beatles he met John Lennon before going on stage. Lennon told him that "with the Beatles no one gets a turn, you're just here to keep the crowd occupied until we go on" and finished with, "well lads, if you get stuck and run out of songs to play, we'll lend you some of ours."
As the Beatles fans were screaming for their favorite band, Ray decided to change up the playlist and shouted out for the others to play You Really Got Me. "Dave turned up his amplifier, which caused it to feedback slightly. The high pitched frequency cut through the screams of the Beatles fans. For a moment the audience was silent. As soon as Dave played the opening chords they were with us. It was as if we had taken round one off the Beatles. As John Lennon and Brian Epstein watched from the wings, I felt like shouting in my best Liverpudlian accent, 'This is not one of yours. It's one of OURS!' "
Shouc wrote:
...jepp..........
Sounds nothing like Ray Davies.
It does to me (or at least the way he sounded in the late 1960's) - his brother was doing backing vocals.
yes!!
radioparadisehead wrote:
Haven't heard this one in some time. Just like most of the Kinks songs it sucks, however I really like it!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love it.
Since the subject at hand is the album Arthur, I can only assume that you've never sat down and listened to this album straight through. It puts the lie to your statement that they were a "garage band". Songs like Some Mother's Son, Australia and She's Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina are as brilliant lyrical attacks on war, emmigration dreams and worship of the Royals as have ever been written. These songs would be booed off the stage by the audience that I assume you think frequent skating rinks and proms. But for the rebellious youth of the late 60s and early 70s (who could listen to the lyrics of Lola in 1970 and not feel part of a subversive experience?), Ray Davies spoke to us loud and clear. For those of us who lived through the Kinks' era, they are neither overrated or underrated. We know exactly where they stand.
Hear, hear!
Since the subject at hand is the album Arthur, I can only assume that you've never sat down and listened to this album straight through. It puts the lie to your statement that they were a "garage band". Songs like Some Mother's Son, Australia and She's Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina are as brilliant lyrical attacks on war, emmigration dreams and worship of the Royals as have ever been written. These songs would be booed off the stage by the audience that I assume you think frequent skating rinks and proms. But for the rebellious youth of the late 60s and early 70s (who could listen to the lyrics of Lola in 1970 and not feel part of a subversive experience?), Ray Davies spoke to us loud and clear. For those of us who lived through the Kinks' era, they are neither overrated or underrated. We know exactly where they stand.
Great to hear after another stellar Victoria Day weekend here in Canada.
More often than not referred to as "May two-four weekend".
With 30C in Ontario many two-fours consumed to good tunes.
I am pretty sure that Queen Vicky wasn't about all of that but her legacy is now synonymous with parties.
Actually that is refreshing, they knew their place.
But Sir Droseph: how can you write all that impassioned claptrap about the subversiveness of the Kinks when the song at hand is Victoria--an unabashed paean to the glory of British Imperialism? Or do you think they're just being ironic?
I’ve been recalled from the dead to answer this post.
The song is not an unabashed paean to the glory of British imperialism. It drags the Victorian period through the mud. The verses make clear (verse 1) that life was great for the Peerage and the wealthy, and (verse 2) the destiny for those born poor, our narrator, was likely to die in some foreign war and say they like it. Stop listening to the peppy chorus and listen to the whole song, including the tone of Ray Davies’ voice. Of course he’s being ironic.
You also need to place this song in the context of the entire album. This is the opening to an album that constantly contrasts the current (1969) state of a soulless British middle-class existence to the supposed glories of a vanished empire, a royal family that exists on another plane from our narrator, and a class system that you can’t break out of without leaving the country.
As I pointed out to sirdroseph, whom I am not (see original post from 14 years ago), I assume that you also have not listened to the album. You really should. It’s a remarkable feat of unified writing with wonderful musical range. Listen to it and come back and let us know what you think. I am always ready to listen to differing opinions, if they are reasonably stated. The use of words like “claptrap” to describe another’s post does not advance the argument.