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...

The Kinks: "Celluloid Heroes" (1972)

The Kinks, one of the most celebrated and concurrently one of the most underrated bands in history started in England in 1964 by brothers Ray and Dave Davies. In their 32 years of playing and recording, they put out 24 albums of which no less than nine made the U.S. Top 40. They also had ten top selling singles in the U.S.

Experts agree that the Kinks may well have been the first "punk" (protopunk) band, and the missing link between two generations of rock and roll.

Despite their success in the U.S., they remained a very English band with a devout following. "God Save the Kinks" was a frequently heard mantra used by their fans. Many of those fans might point to their less commercial work as being their best, and the staff here at Monahan's Song wish to offer one of these for your consideration.

Released as a single, "Celluloid Heroes" never charted, but was a staple on FM radio and became a rock anthem that was always on the Kinks set list. Very similar to "Room to Move" by John Mayall as we highlighted in our last post.

"Celluloid Heroes" is one of many songs that go contrary to their commercial hits like "You Really Got Me", "Destroyer" and "All Day and All of the Night" which are fast, three chord songs that influenced The Ramones, The Clash and Oasis, among others.

But really, the Kinks were hard to nail down. "Waterloo Sunset," "Better Things" and "Come Dancing" are departures as well.

Ray Davies wrote "Celluloid Heroes" and created a masterpiece of matching lyrics and arrangement. Wikipedia's entry on the song says it best: "Davies uses the technique of personification (of the Walk's concrete stars) to create an intimate connection with the subject matter. The lyric has a warm, melancholy and nostalgic feel, and is driven by three underlying themes. First, "Celluloid Heroes" specifically cites the inhumane and exploitative manner in which the film industry can use its stars. Second, Davies suggests the escapist fantasy world of movies as an attractive respite. "I wish my life were a non-stop Hollywood movie show," he writes, "because celluloid heroes never feel any pain," and "never really die." Finally, Davies treats as metaphor the sometimes ethereal and elusive nature of Hollywood fame and success. "Everybody's a dreamer, everybody's a star" is followed by a cautionary note to the listener - those who find success must maintain their guard, because "success walks hand-in-hand with failure along the Hollywood Boulevard."

"If you covered him with garbage
George Sanders would still have style
And if you stamped on Mickey Rooney
He would still turn round and smile
But please don't tread on dearest Marilyn
'Cause she's not very tough
She should have been made of iron or steel
But she was only made of flesh and blood"

We get a feeling that Davies is saying that successful or not, famous or not, we are all the same. All that from a pretty famous artist so he show great perspective.

There are other Kink's songs that need to be included as part of the mission of Monahan's Song, but none as thoughtful or resonant as "Celluloid Heroes".

Artists who have covered this song include Joan Jett, Steve Vai, Bon Jovi, Tim Curry and Richie Blackmore...