The Debate Continues: Top Ten Kinks Songs Ever?

Yup, we are back after a crazy few weeks where our attention was diverted elsewhere.  We had a few requests in the meantime and here is one of them fulfilled...What are the ten best Kinks songs ever?

The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential British groups of all time, with millions of record sales and countless awards and accolades to their name. From their explosive beginnings as part of the British Beat movement to forays into concept albums, stadium rock and acoustic balladeering, The Kinks have left an unimpeachable legacy of classic songs, many of which form the building blocks of popular music as we know it today.
Read more at http://www.thekinks.info/about-the-kinks/the-band/#yD3GqcDwfKIMphCS.99

The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential British groups of all time, with millions of record sales and countless awards and accolades to their name. From their explosive beginnings as part of the British Beat movement to forays into concept albums, stadium rock and acoustic balladeering, The Kinks have left an unimpeachable legacy of classic songs, many of which form the building blocks of popular music as we know it today.
Read more at http://www.thekinks.info/about-the-kinks/the-band/#yD3GqcDwfKIMphCS.99

If you are unfamiliar with Ray and Dave Davies and the rest of the boys, please read up on them here.

In their 32 year run, the Kinks had five Top 10 singles on the US Billboard chart. Nine of their albums charted in the Top 40. The RIAA has certified four of The Kinks' albums as gold records. In 1990 the original four members of The Kinks were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. They have released 24 studio albums and seemingly multiple compilations and other live albums as well.

The kinks were steeped in blues and rhythm and blues but had a heaver rock sound as the years went on. They could be very unpredictable with one song being soft and dreamy and another coming right down on your head. Many credit them as being the first punk band ever.

They never achieved the commercial success as the Rolling Stones or Beatles. but they have a fanatical following to this very day. To that point, many of their songs continue to be underrated. "God save the Kinks!

The staff at Monahan's Song of the Week offers the following ten songs as our favorites. If you want to add to this list or have a comment, drop us a line here.

Ten Best Kinks Songs Ever:

10. "A Gallon of Gas" (1979) That was the year you couldn't get one and the feeling still resonates today.



9. "Sitting in the Midday Sun." (1973) A great song that should have charted.

8. "Sunny Afternoon" (1966) The Kinks take on living in a tax world where they take it all.

"The tax man's taken all my DOUGH, And left me in my stately home, Lazing on a sunny afternoon. 
And I can't sail my yacht, He's taken everythin' I've got, All I've got's this sunny afternoon." 

7. "Lola" (1970) WAY ahead of its time. A song that helped a lot of people get a clue.

6. "Dedicated Follower of Fashion" (1966) Bet you know someone just like this.

5. "Waterloo Sunset" (1967) Hard to not smile and relax listening to this one. Simple pleasures...

"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 "

4. "Come Dancing" (1982) A coming of age song with KILLER horns...



3. "Celluloid Heroes" (1972) Featured on this blog in August 2013 Few songs like this one exist. A masterpiece tribute to Hollywood. Still underrated.

2. "Better Things" (1982) What a brilliant song of faith, hope and encouragement. We could use a lot more like this one in our lives.

"It's really good to see you rocking out

 And having fun,

 Living like you've just begun.

 Accept your life and what it brings,

I hope tomorrow you'll find better things"

1. "All the Day and All of the Night" (1964) One of the greatest rock songs of all time and the power chord intro is second to none. This is the song that got it all started for them.

The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential British groups of all time, with millions of record sales and countless awards and accolades to their name. From their explosive beginnings as part of the British Beat movement to forays into concept albums, stadium rock and acoustic balladeering, The Kinks have left an unimpeachable legacy of classic songs, many of which form the building blocks of popular music as we know it today.
Read more at http://www.thekinks.info/about-the-kinks/the-band/#yD3GqcDwfKIMphCS.99

The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential British groups of all time, with millions of record sales and countless awards and accolades to their name. From their explosive beginnings as part of the British Beat movement to forays into concept albums, stadium rock and acoustic balladeering, The Kinks have left an unimpeachable legacy of classic songs, many of which form the building blocks of popular music as we know it today.
Read more at http://www.thekinks.info/about-the-kinks/the-band/#yD3GqcDwfKIMphCS.99

Honorable mention: Tired of Waiting (1965) We should have said the to 11 Songs...

Robbie Robertson: "Somewhere Down the Crazy River" (1987)

Robbie Robertson was born Jaime Robert Klegerman in Toronto, Canada. His father was Jewish and mother Mohawk. After his father died, his mother remarried and took the name Robertson and so did Robbie.

 

He grew up playing in a number of local bands and met Ronnie Hawkins, who performed sever songs Robbie had written. He played lead guitar in Ronnie's band know as the Hawks and by the time he had left the band in 1963, he was known to be a guitar wizard. 

 The rest of the Hawks, (Levon Helm, Richard Manuel, Rick Danko, and Garth Hudson) left as well and would together form The Band. The Band would back Bob Dylan for years and they would be famous of their own accord as well until the stopped touring in 1976. Their final concert "The Last Waltz" was filmed by Martin Scorsese and is a concert film classic. Ronnie Hawkins and countless stars appeared as guests in the concert. The most interesting moment for us is on "Further On Up the Road", where Eric Claptons's guitar strap falls off just as he was going into the opening lead. Robbie took the lead and didn't miss a note until Clapton was re-strapped.

Robertson released his first solo album in 1987 cleverly called "Robbie Robertson".  

According to Wikipedia: "When asked about the inspiration for the album's single "Somewhere Down the Crazy River", producer Daniel Lanoithes commented: "Robbie Robertson was describing what it was like to hang out in Arkansas with Levon Helm in his old neighborhood. He was telling me about the hot nights and fishing with dynamite, and was asking someone for directions for someplace somewhere down the crazy river. ... I had presented him with this instrument that Eno introduced me to called the Suzuki Omnichord, like an electric autoharp. He found a little chord sequence with it that was sweet and wonderful. As he was developing his chord sequence I recorded him and superimposed his storytelling, which I was secretly recording, on top. That was the birth of 'Somewhere Down The Crazy River.' It's kind of like a guy with a deep voice telling you about steaming nights in Arkansas.”

 

Robertsons narration led to some film work and he would wind up narrating,acting or composing music for over 20 movies.

"Wait, did you hear that?
Oh this is sure stirring up some ghosts for me
She said "There's one thing you've got to learn
Is not to be afraid of it."
I said "No, I like it, I like it, it's good."
She said "You like it now,
But you'll learn to love is later."

Robbie composed some very famous songs including "The Weight", "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", "Up On Cripple Creek", and "Broken Arrow".

A few things to watch for in this excellent video. The bass player is playing a fret less bass. The autoharp the song was composed on is visible in a few shots as well. Also watch for Sam Llanas, from The BoDeans, who provides a unique backing voice on the song. The BoDeans were featured on this blog in 2012.



Mose Allison: "Your Mind is on Vacation" (1962)

It is almost his birthday. Mose John  Allison Jr. was born November 11, 1927 in Mississippi. He would go to school, learn piano, serve in the military and finish college.

He was heavily influenced by the blues and his Mississippi upbringing but of all places, brought it to New York were he played with Stan Getz, Zoot Sims and Gerry Mulligan among others. He would get a record deal in 1957, but his label would not let him sing at all. He would not put out an all vocals album until 1963. It featured his trio doing covers of Sonny Boy Williamson, Willie Dixon and others but it was his original work that stood out. He had a hit with "Parchman Farm", which would be one of his most popular songs.

In 1962, Mose came out with "I Don't Worry About a Thing", which included "Your Mind is on Vacation."  Reviewer Alan Kurtz gives us these observations: 

"In the culture-clash of jazz and psychiatry, shrinks have gotten short shrift. Mose Allison, however, plays Devil's advocate, enacting the role of long-suffering clinician who's endured more bellyaching than even the highly compensated can tolerate. "You're sittin' there yakkin' in my face," declares Dr. Allison at wit's end. "I guess I'm gonna have to put you in your place." Technically called counter-resistance, this can seriously impair the doctor-patient relationship. But when delivered with Mose Allison's Laid-back Sage of the Mississippi Delta aplomb and set to his funky down-home piano, such in-your-face attitude is delectably therapeutic."

You're sitting there yakkin' right in my face
I guess I'm gonna have to put you in your place
Y'know if silence was golden
You couldn't raise a dime
Because your mind is on vacation and your mouth is
Working overtime

His songs are thoughtful, yet playful at the same time. You can jut picture him sitting in a bar in the Village laying this song on the audience.

Mose, now in his 80's has well over 40 albums to his credit.  He has influenced the likes of The Who, Elvis Costello and Hendrix while his songs have been covered by countless musicians.
We believe him to be one of the most talented songwriters and underrated jazzman ever.

Several staff at Monahan's Song saw Mose walk into a bar at Disney World and sit down at the piano and play ten songs. Someone who did not know it was him walked up and dropped a dollar on the piano as a tip. Mose burst out laughing...
 

Lou Reed Has Left the Building...

Few people impacted the New York music scene than Lou Reed did. His formation of the Velvet Underground with John Cale led to "Sweet Jane"and his many hit songs as a solo artist will be remembered a long time "A Walk on the Wild Side". He married performer Laurie Anderson in 2008. There will no doubt be talk about the recent liver transplant he received. Lou Reed passes on at the age of 71. Read the USA Today version here.

Staff would like to offer you his iconic live version of "Sweet Jane" from his album Rock and Roll Animal...

"Some people, they like to go out dancing
And other peoples, they have to work, Just watch me now!
And there's even some evil mothers
Well they're gonna tell you that everything is just dirt
Y'know that, women, never really faint
And that villains always blink their eyes, woo!
And that, y'know, children are the only ones who blush!
And that, life is just to die!
And, everyone who ever had a heart
They wouldn't turn around and break it
And anyone who ever played a part
Oh wouldn't turn around and hate it!"

Anna Kendrick: "Cups (Pitch Perfect's When I'm Gone)" (2013)

With a voice as clear as Joni Mitchell's, and an attitude reminiscent of Linda Ronstadt,  Anna Kendrick breathes new life into a country classic, When I'm Gone.  Written in 1931 by A.P. Carter, it was recorded by the Carter Family in the same year.
 
Remade by Charlie Monroe and Mainer's Mountaineers, it was brought to the attention of modern day audiences by the English band Lulu and the Lampshades, who added percussion through the use of plastic cups.  A viral video of the song was released by Anna Burden on YouTube in 2011.

Kendrick has acted and sang in both movies and on Broadway.  Her 1998 role as Dinah Lord in High Society earned the then 13 year old a Tony nomination, the third youngest actor to ever receive the honor.  She has starred in such movies as Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, End of Watch, all of the Twilight movies and Pitch Perfect, in which she sings "When I'm Gone". It is all of 1:17 seconds in the movie. This version fleshes it out...

This version, later having two minutes added, is a soulful rendition, putting emphasis on a young woman's wanderlust, and the need to have a special companion on the journey.  It is proof that great songs remain great, even 82 years after their original release.

We have the Kendrick version right here. Feel free to check out the other versions which we have included. Amazing how an old song can evolve.

 

 

Carter Family Version:

http://vimeo.com/groups/74230/videos/73266216

Charlie Monroe Version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wojgGSKsKw

Mainer's Mountaineers Version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmXSOPDe5-Y

LuLu and the Lampshades:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdnyEOljsUY

Anna Burden:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKcChGsDqnU

Z.Z. Top: "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide" (1979)

This "Little old band from Texas" was formed in 1969 by guitarist Billy Gibbons (William Frederick Gibbons), who would become the lead singer and composer for many of the band's songs.

The band solidified the following year when Dusty Hill became bass player and Frank Beard took over as drummer. Typical Z.Z irony, Frank is the one who does NOT sport a beard.

The band got a recording contract and released "Z.Z. Top's First Album." The record did not do well, but subsequent albums did, and their bluesy Texas rock caught on. While they sold a lot of albums in the two phases of the bands existence, they are mostly known as a huge concert draw that filled stadiums and arenas worldwide.

Lyrically, they are always looking for a wry statement or double meaning.

Their primarily Texas-boogie style morphed with the issuance of "Duegello". The term duegello means no quarter as in taking no prisoners.

As their sixth album, it was still a blues album, but the shape of rock to come was now beginning to show itself. While "Cheap Sunglasses" was the hit, "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide" is our pick as one of their best and most fun.

Well I was rollin' down the road in some cold blue steel,
I had a blues man in back, and a beautician at the wheel.
We going downtown in the middle of the night
We laughing and I'm jokin' and we feelin' alright.
Oh I'm bad, I'm nationwide.
Yes I'm bad, I'm nationwide.

Nobody is having a bad time here. 

Wiki: "Z.Z. Top would go on to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. They achieved 11 gold records and 7 platinum albums  Eliminator, remains the group's most commercially successful record, selling over 10 million units. " The band is still touring after 40 years...

So get in the car and let's be bad with our own badness...

Gin Blossoms: "Allison Road" (1994)

According to a Billboard interview, Robin Wilson passed by a sign on his way to El Paso 1n 1989 that read "Next Exit Allison Road." His friend with whom he was riding had a sister named Allison, and so they stopped to take a picture. Five months later, Wilson had the picture and was bored:

"I walked to the other room, sat down in front of the television and turned on CNN. And the moment the TV turned on I heard that little melody in my head; 'On Allison Road.'  So I turned off the TV, climbed over the couch and went back in my bedroom and the song was pretty much done 20 minutes later.^"

The exit sign for Allison Road is located on I-10 in Roosevelt, Texas.

"Allison Road" is about a guy who breaks up with a girl and then realizes He's made the wrong choice but can't go back. which explains why he keeps saying 'I couldn't see I was lost at the time.' (quote from a fan entry about the lyrics).

I’ve lost my mind on what I’d find
And all of the pressure that I left behind
On Allison road
Fools in the rain if the sun gets through
Fire’s in the heaven of the eyes I knew
On Allison Road
Dark clouds file in when the moon is near
Birds fly by a.m. in her bedroom stare
There was no tellin’ what I might find
I couldn’t see I was lost at the time...
Yeah I didn’t know I was lost at the time
On Allison Road

Wilson replaced the band's co-founder Richard Taylor as guitarist of the Gin Blossoms in 1988, but switched places early on with vocalist Jesse Valenzuela. He remained a member of the band until their breakup in 1997, during which time the band came out with two albums.

Their hit debut album New Miserable Experience went double platinum and featured singles "Hey Jealousy", "Found Out About You", "Mrs. Rita", "Until I Fall Away", and Wilson's "Allison Road".

"Hey Jealousy" and "Found Out About You" are both excellent songs and are perhaps the best known by the Gin Blossoms. It would be negligent, in writing about the Gin Blossoms, to not mention the tragic genius of Doug Hopkins, the bands other co-founder.

Hopkins had suffered from chronic depression and had been battling alcoholism for years. At the time, the band was hugely popular in the Tempe, Ariz. area. As a result, they were signed to  A&M Records.

Hopkins thought this was a sell out, and went on drinking binges. According to Wikipedia: "It was reported that Hopkins was unable to stand during his recording sessions. Faced with the prospect of firing Hopkins or being dropped by A&M, the band terminated Hopkins. He was replaced by Scott Johnson. As a result, the band withheld $15,000 owed to Hopkins until he agreed to sign over half of his publishing royalties. Hopkins also had to relinquish his mechanical royalties to Johnson, his replacement. Hopkins reluctantly agreed to these demands because of his dire financial situation."

He would receive a gold record for "Hey Jealousy". But this made him feel even more despondent. He committed suicide 12/5/1993.

Another note via Wiki: "At his memorial service, band mate Robin Wilson recalls, a woman approached his former band members with a message from Hopkins upon his death: he was the one who had poured sugar in the gas tank of their tour van in 1992."

The first video is straightforward off the album. The second is an excellent live acoustic version worth your attention...

The band is currently touring and will be at the Hard Rock in Orlando on Oct. 31st.




Robin Wilson

The Impressions: "It's Alright" (1963)

Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler were both steeped in gospel and sang in the same group. By 1958, they had joined a band called the Roosters and were subsequently renamed Jerry Butler and the Impressions. Curtis did most of the writing, but Jerry was at first, the star. They had a smash hit the same year with "Your Precious Love" and another song that would crack the top 30. Jerry subsequently left, taking Curtis to play guitar for his solo act, but Curtis went back and reformed the Impressions. 

In 1961, "Gypsy Woman" would chart at #2 and was their biggest hit to date. After that however, little happened and personnel changes would affect the group.

But Curtis was not done. Moving the group to Chicago, they worked with a new producer who helped them achieve a more soulful gospel sound. This led to "It's Alright", which would become a number one hit on the R & B charts and cross over and pop at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. This would be one of six songs they would place on the R & B charts.

It is a simple song of encouragement and perseverance. Perhaps the first song to hint of Mayfield's impending social activism that would be reflected in all of his work when he went solo in 1970.

When you wake up early in the morning
Feelin' sad like so many of us do
Hum a little soul
Make life your goal
And surely something's got to come to you
And say it's all right (it's all right)Say it's all right (it's all right)
It's all right, have a good time
'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right

There are many who feel that the drum playing on "It's Alright" is among the best drum R & B performances ever. It contains triplets on the hi- hat and  and fast rolls across the kit. What is curious is that nobody seems to know for sure who it was! Some claim it was Maurice White who did studio work for the Impressions as well as others and would be part of Earth, Wind and Fire.
Many people were influenced by Mayfield's work and that included Bob Marley and the Wailers who covered several of his songs. He is hailed as a Soul and Funk pioneer, and is even referred to as the founder of Psychedelic Soul. This can be easily observed on his masterful soundtrack for the movie "Superfly".

According to Wikipedia. "Two significant characteristics distinguish Mayfield's sound. First, he taught himself how to play guitar, tuning it to the black keys of the piano, thus giving him an open F-sharp tuning—F#, A#, C#, F#, A#, F#---that he used throughout his career. Second, he primarily sang in falsetto register, adding another flavor to his music. This was not unique in itself, but most singers sing primarily in the modal register."

While Jerry Butler and Mayfield went on to successful solo careers, the Impressions carried on and all of them have received prestigious awards and hall of fame credentials.

On August 13, 1990, Mayfield was paralyzed from the neck down after stage lighting equipment fell on him at an outdoor concert at Wingate Field in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York.  He was unable to play guitar, but he wrote, sang, and directed the recording of his last album, New World Order. Mayfield's vocals were painstakingly recorded, usually line-by-line while lying on his back. He was diagnosed with diabetes and died on December 26, 1999.

Prior to his death, (1993), Huey Lewis and the News recorded a cover of "It's All Right" for People Get Ready: A Tribute to Curtis Mayfield. Their rendition peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart. It is such a great cover from this blues band turned pop, that we are including it here. This particular version by them is from a live and superbly recorded concert in Japan (1993).