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Predictable (The Kinks Song)
"Predictable" is the fourth track from The Kinks' 1981 album, '' Give the People What They Want''. It was written by Ray Davies. Lyrics The lyrics of "Predictable" describe the monotony of the average person's life. "Yeah, ain't life a bore," the singer complains, saying that he doesn't "know why I'm even bothering." However, the singer has hope, claiming that "one day it's gonna get better some way," but would even settle to "wish it would get worse any way." He goes as far to say that it "feels like a good time to die." The song, like many written by Davies, comments on the life of the middle class in a sarcastic fashion. Release and reception "Predictable" was first released in the U.K. as a single, backed with "Back to Front." The single was unsuccessful, despite the popularity of its predecessor, " Better Things." However, in America, it was only released on the '' Give the People What They Want'' album (and not as a single.) Robert Christgau said that "Predictable" was ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, north London, in 1963 by brothers Ray and Dave Davies. They are regarded as one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s. The band emerged during the height of British rhythm and blues and Merseybeat, and were briefly part of the British Invasion of the United States until their touring ban in 1965. Their third single, the Ray Davies-penned "You Really Got Me", became an international hit, topping the charts in the United Kingdom and reaching the Top 10 in the United States. The Kinks' music drew from a wide range of influences, including American R&B and rock and roll initially, and later adopting British music hall, folk, and country. The band gained a reputation for reflecting English culture and lifestyle, fuelled by Ray Davies' wittily observational writing style, and made apparent in albums such as '' Face to Face'' (1966), '' Something Else'' (1967), '' The Village Green Preservation Society'' (19 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Give The People What They Want (The Kinks Album)
''Give the People What They Want'' is the nineteenth studio album by the English rock group the Kinks. It was released in August 1981 in the US but not until January 1982 in Europe. It was delayed because lead singer Ray Davies wanted to produce a full-length video for the album but financing fell through. Also scrapped were plans to remix the album for the European market. It was initially aimed to be a statement on the media. Reissue When the Kinks' six Arista studio albums, initially released between 1977 and 1984, were reissued in 1999, ''Give the People What They Want'' was the only one that did not contain bonus tracks, although the single release of "Better Things" was slightly different from the album version. The British single of "Better Things" also included a non-album B-side, "Massive Reductions", which was different from the version of the song from the band's 1984 album ''Word of Mouth''. Track listing Personnel The Kinks * Ray Davies – guitar, keyboards ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Arista Records
Arista Records () is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the North American division of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. The label was previously handled by BMG Entertainment, the North American division of German conglomerate Bertelsmann. Though the label was founded in November 1974 by Clive Davis, Arista in its current form was re-established in 2018. Along with Epic Records, RCA Records, and Columbia Records, Arista is one of Sony Music's four flagship record labels. History Background After being fired from CBS Records, Clive Davis was recruited by Alan Hirschfield, CEO of Columbia Pictures, in June 1974 to be a consultant for the company's record and music operations. Shortly after his hiring by CPI, Davis became president of Bell Records, replacing the departing Larry Uttal. Davis's real goal was to reorganize and revitalize Columbia Pictures' music division. With a $10 million investme ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ray Davies
Sir Raymond Douglas Davies ( ; born 21 June 1944) is an English musician. He was the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and main songwriter for the rock band the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother Dave on lead guitar and backing vocals. He has also acted in, directed, and produced shows for theatre and television. Known for focusing his lyrics on English culture, nostalgia, and social satire, he is often referred to as the "Godfather of Britpop", though he disputes this title. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Kinks in 1990. After the dissolution of the Kinks in 1996, he embarked on a solo career. Early years Raymond Douglas Davies was born at 6 Denmark Terrace in the Fortis Green area of London on 21 June 1944. He is the seventh of eight children born to working-class parents, including six elder sisters and younger brother Dave Davies. His father, Frederick George Davies (1902–1975), was a slaughterhouse worker.London, Eng ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Better Things (The Kinks Song)
"Better Things" is a song by The Kinks, released as a single in June 1981 in the UK and November 1981 in the US. A slightly shorter version was later released on their album '' Give the People What They Want''. Written about Ray Davies's failing marriage, the song originated during the '' Low Budget'' sessions. The song was completed in 1981 and released as a single, reaching number 46 in the UK and number 92 in America. The single marked the band's first appearance in the UK charts since 1972. In 2011 ''American Songwriter'' named "Better Things" their Favorite Break Up Song. Background "Better Things" was penned by Ray Davies in New York City about the "impending split" from his second wife, Yvonne. Davies told Jeff Tamarkin of ''The Aquarian Weekly'' that the time when the song was written was a "depressing" time for him. Musically, Davies characterized the song as prototypically Kinks-style, explaining, "It's got a musical phrase in it that makes it a song like 'Days'. It's ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Come Dancing (song)
"Come Dancing" is a 1982 song written by Ray Davies and performed by British rock group the Kinks on their 1983 album '' State of Confusion''. The song was inspired by Davies' memories of his older sister, Rene, who died of a heart attack while dancing at a dance hall. The lyrics, sung from the perspective of an "East End barrow boy," are about the boy's sister going on dates at a local Palais dance hall. When first released as a single in United Kingdom in November 1982, "Come Dancing" failed to chart. Although Arista Records founder Clive Davis had reservations about releasing the single in the United States due to the English subject matter of dance halls, the track saw an American single release in April 1983. "Come Dancing" reached number six on the Hot 100, becoming the band's highest US charting single in over a decade and tying with "Tired of Waiting for You" as the band's highest-charting single ever. This success was achieved largely with the help of a promotional m ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Don't Forget To Dance
"Don't Forget to Dance" is a song performed by British rock group The Kinks, released as a single in 1983 and included on their album ''State of Confusion''. Production "Don't Forget to Dance" was initially recorded at Grand Slam Studios in New Jersey and Konk Studios in London in September and October 1982. Mixing and editing continued through late 1982 and into early 1983. Although the ballad was ultimately released as the follow-up single to "Come Dancing", also from ''State of Confusion'', the Kinks' label, Arista Records, originally wanted to release it as the first single off the album. Ray Davies convinced Arista to release "Come Dancing" first and ultimately prevailed. "Don't Forget to Dance" was eventually released as a single in August 1983 in the US and the following month in the UK. Reception The song charted at No. 58 in the UK, and it was the band's final single to make the top 40 of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in the US, peaking at No. 29. In the US, it also ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
State Of Confusion (song)
"State of Confusion" is a song written by Ray Davies and first released by The Kinks as the title track of their 1983 album ''State of Confusion''. Although it was not released as a single in the United States, it reached #26 on ''Billboard'''s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. It was released as a single in Continental Europe. Lyrics and music The lyrics of "State of Confusion" depict numerous sources of frustration to the singer. Among these are technological failures, such as a television that's "on the blink," a clothes dryer that doesn't work and a video machine that breaks down. In addition, there are more domestic problems as the basement is flooded, the attic has woodworm and the ceiling has collapsed. To make matters worse, when the video machine breaks, the singer's girlfriend gets bored and leaves him. Later in the song, the singer is frustrated by trying to cross the street amidst traffic. The song ends with the singer unable to sleep due to financial worries ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Kinks Songs
''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the most frequently used word in the English language; studies and analyses of texts have found it to account for seven percent of all printed English-language words. It is derived from gendered articles in Old English which combined in Middle English and now has a single form used with nouns of any gender. The word can be used with both singular and plural nouns, and with a noun that starts with any letter. This is different from many other languages, which have different forms of the definite article for different genders or numbers. Pronunciation In most dialects, "the" is pronounced as (with the voiced dental fricative followed by a schwa) when followed by a consonant sound, and as (homophone of the archaic pr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Songs Written By Ray Davies
A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetition and variation of sections. Written words created specifically for music, or for which music is specifically created, are called lyrics. If a pre-existing poem is set to composed music in classical music it is an art song. Songs that are sung on repeated pitches without distinct contours and patterns that rise and fall are called chants. Songs composed in a simple style that are learned informally "by ear" are often referred to as folk songs. Songs that are composed for professional singers who sell their recordings or live shows to the mass market are called popular songs. These songs, which have broad appeal, are often composed by professional songwriters, composers, and lyricists. Art songs are composed by trained classical composers ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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