Ray Davies is absolutely one of the great songwriter/poets of the 20th century. The deeper you dive into his writings , the more you understand that

@peterclarke3201

Жыл бұрын

Just the best, doesn,t care if he is famous or not, as long as he does what he feels, .The Kinks must have influenced hundreds of musicians since You Really Got Me.

@alabhaois

7 ай бұрын

Absolutely!!!!! 💕💕💕

Thank you, Beth. This is one of my favorite Kinks songs. Another one is their 1980's hit "Come Dancing". It has a very sad back story. Most people only know their hit songs, but they have so many amazing songs that never got any radio play.

@iznot2

Жыл бұрын

This has always.been one.of my favorite Kink songs. Ray Davies is a great song writer.

@dan112965

Жыл бұрын

One of my favorite Kinks classics

@BC-ui9yt

Жыл бұрын

I'm with you. These are arguably their two best songs. Love the backstory on "Come Dancing", as sad as it is. My sister passed a few years ago, and left me some money. I blew it all, but I learned a lot of skills from magic to acting with it..... a gift from a much loved family member who was gone far too soon.

@lannydante9390

11 ай бұрын

The kinks have 700 songs in their catalog- 100’s just as good as their hits.

This is an absolute masterpiece. I really like "Sunny Afternoon" also. Actually, most kinks songs hit the spot.

@alabhaois

7 ай бұрын

They really do!!

I love the Kinks, Ray Davies is such a great storyteller and always creates great characters. His lyrics are fantastic!

@alabhaois

7 ай бұрын

My absolute favorite group!!! 💕😎

"Waterloo Sunset" is Ray's best song, but "Celluloid Heroes" is Ray's masterpiece!!

A song that makes you think, that's Ray and the Kinks. They have great rock songs, and good ballads, and slow songs. Such a varied songbook.

Songwriting genius. From garage rockers to theatrics to sentimentality to arena rockers, the Kinks covered all the bases in their career. Thanks.

Beth, thank you so much for reacting to The Kinks. Surely rock music's most underrated band and Ray Davies is a songwriter of the very highest quality. Almost without peer. The original studio version of "Celluloid Heroes" actually goes back as far as 1972. On the same album is another mini masterpiece called "Sitting In My Hotel".

This has always been my favorite Kinks song!

What was really impressive was the bass line. An incredible player.

One of the most beautiful songs ever written ❤

One of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands! Absolute heartbreaker.

Your reaction to this beautiful piece by Ray Davies, is one of my favorite reactions. No one could respond any more sincerely for this one than you.

Ray Davies has always been my number one choice for greatest UK songwriter, ahead of Lennon, McCartney or whoever else the runners up might be.

@wayneelliott7011

11 ай бұрын

Correct. Ray Davies is the Greatest Songwriter from the UK. Lennon- McCartney don't come close.

@lannydante9390

11 ай бұрын

I agree 100%

@kurthauser343

11 күн бұрын

The Kinks were the better Beatles...

First time I saw them live was 1981. I had never heard this song. I walked out of the venue singing it

Thank you for doing this, Beth. One of the best Kinks songs. Ray Davies was one of the great songwriters of the 20th century, and unfortunately not well enough known by the younger generation.

The Kinks, "The Road" sums up the life of a rock n roll band. A Great song for sure!

This is one of my faves from them. Loved the Kinks since my first listen to Lola when I was about 12. So much great music

This is such a great song. If you think of fame, image, success and how not only the stars,but the followers of the stars, can get lost in those illusions. Ray Davies has many songs that deal with illusion and how people can lose themselves not facing reality. Ray suffered great melancholy, he writes about yearning for an ideal time in the past that could never be relived. His songs show great personal suffering.

This is my new favorite version,I've grown up listening to the album version all these years.💘💘💘

1st concert I ever saw....love the kinks and this song is great

One for the Road cut of this song is unbelievable- GSTK- 700 songs they have written- 100’s just as good their hits ….around the dial…..I need you ….2 sisters…..artificial man…..holiday Romance….dreams…..to the bone ….big sky …..0nly a dream ….the list goes on and on!!!!

I forgot how much I love this song..

Isn’t it beautiful that ‘Whistle Test’ embraced our greatest artists. I loved Whistle Test, and in the 60’s I loved the genius of Ray Davies.

One of my fave Kinks tracks. Sentiment reminds me of the John Waters quote: "Most everybody secretly imagines themselves in show business and everyday on their way to work, they're a little bit depressed because they're not...People are sad they're not famous in America".

@bonniebickett4520

Жыл бұрын

Bit I am famous at my job! I work the meat counter in a grocery store in America. I am proud my customers love me!

There's so many (very) different live versions of this. This one is fairly close to the studio version from 1972, but the fact they took it in so many different directions when doing it live is just another dimension to love about this song.

Terrific exploration of this song! I was 10 years old when this song came out, and I remember having an emotional response to it, even though I did not understand it then. Beth: I really like the particular way you look at music. You reveal reveal technical aspects of songs that I have long been familiar with but had not noticed what you're pointing out. At the same time, you so naturally explore the emotional pathways into the lyrics and music.

Happiness is an emotion and like any emotion it is fleeting. Contentment is a state of mind and gives more stability to handle emotions. I find strength in being content and wish that I had realised this in my earlier years rather than my late 50's.

I love how someone from England can so succinctly grasp the American Dream. "Celluloid heros never feel any pain, and celluloid heros never really die".

Wonderful, great to see it's on the old grey whistle test, so much great music was captured by that show.

Such of a beautiful song. Usually when you think of the Kinks the first song that comes to mind is "Lola".

I hadn't been a Kinks fan, but am becoming one. Many of his lyrics are simple and yet highly evocative.

I loved this, especially the OGWT performance you chose. It really captures the reverence that Ray is trying to evoke for the toll that a life of fame and being in the public eye takes on the soul of those who "succeed" (for as you point out, success is a relative measurement and necessarily implies within it a certain level of failure in other parts of a performer's life). I don't think that the impact that the band's success had on his relationship with his brother should be overlooked as inspiration for the song as well. Given their mercurial and combative personalities, they probably would have been at odds with each other regardless what career paths they chose. But I am sure that Ray could not help but reflect about whether what it took to be rock superstars conversely contributed to his alienation with Dave. I would also love to hear your take on "Waterloo Sunset" and Don Maclean's "Vincent" (another name-dropper and examination of the soul-crushing pressures of the world - obviously due to other causes than "Celluloid Heroes," Vincent's mental illness and sensitive nature rather than celebrity)

I've loved this song from the first time I heard it, on their great live album. But this is the best version I've ever heard- the one I go to when I want to hear it. The video is so interesting. The background singers are exactly what I think of when I think of the 70s lol. But the song.... brilliant imagery, and there are so many levels to the story. Ray Davies is an underrated songwriter.

I'd listen to a Ray Davies "failure" rather than to most people's "successes"; he is soul full. I have learned a lot of humanness from Ray, throughout the years and years. Thanks to you Beth, for your music appreciation lessons. I have learned some things. But I do have a question: Would you give an example and discuss something that you don't like to establish a context for what you do. Thanks again. And, just saying, I have enjoyed your singing too!

Beautiful commentary Beth! Love voice and demenor. Sooths my anexity. Love ya!!

It's actually older than 77. It was on their Everybody's in showbiz album from 72. The version there rocks a bit more.

I adore Ray and the Kinks and this number.

I love this song, Celluloid heroes. It was Ray Davies greatest, brilliant song. He is a great genius songwriter and poet. When you hear his voice it's so mesmerizing and you know it's Ray Davies and the Kinks. I grew up with their musical genius and the music helped me survive my early teen years. Long love the Kinks.

The chord progression on this is simple, but beautiful.

One of my favorite Kinks songs. I’m not sure why this live version omitted the following verse but, it’s probably my favorite verse of the song… 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

@luisalonsoecheverria

Жыл бұрын

They probably had to edit the song length for TV.

@501625abc

Жыл бұрын

From my recollection of all the live Kinks shows I attended, Ray never sang that verse live.

@jimwilson5148

Жыл бұрын

A favorite verse of mine. It's why I always preferred the studio version

Such a great band from the 60's-70's era. Many mentioned favorites worth listening to in comments. Mine...'A Well-respected Man.' Kinks sarcasm and commentary at its best.

I love this song. Can listen to it over and over. I am happy going for a hike with my saxophone and seeing how people react to a sax in the woods. Dogs are a little confused.

''Celluloid Heroes" has meaning for me because it was the name of my ball hockey team in university. Not sure if our Captain knew of this song or if it had anything to do with our name; however, our team name was my favourite team moniker of all-time. LOL

cheers to you beth roars - you've achieved wisdom...

So insightful. Thanks Beth.

Should have done the live version from "One More For the Road" . Was awesome in concert. Twice

@andyhayman3077

Жыл бұрын

Agree, the opening guitar solo is killer.

@ddbedguy

Жыл бұрын

Agree. One For The Road is one of the greatest live records ever recorded. Every cut is fantastic

@Dee-JayW

3 ай бұрын

Saw them in 1980 ! Pure genius, and of course I bought the album, One for the road a year later ❤❤❤

@MrNegative57

3 ай бұрын

Best live album. 1980 tour same I saw them first time. Celluloid Heroes perfect performance

Quite simply one of the most beautiful songs ever written. As with all Rays work its long on intelligence and rich in wonderful melody. Nice that you comment on his vocal delivery as its something I feel is overlooked often - always feel his diction is a great strength. To me personally he is pretty peerless as a writer. Thanks for posting.

@BethRoars

8 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching Richard!

You would enjoy the song "Days" another Kinks masterpiece.

I love this song

Wonderful reaction Beth! You rock!

One of my favorite songs

Always loved this song

Fabuleux Kinks . Des mélodies qui traversent le temps et les générations. Des étoiles filantes pour l'éternité. 💫💫💫💫

Very interesting. I'm a musician and I credit Ray for teaching me to sing. (Won't mention it to Dave) your interpretation told me much I knew, and a fair amount I hadn't thought of. Well done. Catch you next time.

I think the ideal we should all strive for is contentment,that we have what we need and no more.

This sounds so beautiful

There's another great version of this song is on One for the Road live Album. Has a bit of heavier guitar but the song is still outstanding.

Great reaction to an insightful song.

Perhaps my favorite Kinks song. Thank you.

I don't know how successful this song was on the charts, but when I was a kid in the 70s in New York State, they would play this every once in a while on the rock radio station. Considered sort of a masterpiece back then. Probably a lot of younger people aren't as familiar with this as songs by other groups from that period, but is such a great and unique song. The Kinks were a group that had a number of songs I didn't really like, but they also had a lot of songs I loved. They basically created the distortion sound by cutting a speaker cone with a razor on You Really Got Me. Plus, that and All Day And All Of The Night were really the first hard rock songs. I had their album Misfits and Low Budget and thought both albums were great (every song). I had their live album One For The Road, which is really a best of album done live. I recommend getting that album if you want to really know what the Kinks are all about. This was after Van Halen covered You Really Got Me and they did a more hard rocking version of it which was great (of course Dave Davies ain't Eddie Van Halen, but he didn't need to be. Great guitarist all on his own).

John Gosling, RIP 10/05/'023. Listen to that tasteful piano setting the mood for Ray's vocals.

Awesome! Shouting Out GR8 Job To That Grand Ginger Beth!

Great message. Love your focus on the content.

And, yet, that was a Kinks live track from their mid-70's live-show! I really thought they were done around that time, but have a listen to anything from their State of Confusion album after that! Heh, talk about renewing themselves for a new audience...

John Dalton, John Gosling and Mick Avory are superb on this.

The Kinks "One for the road" is one of the greatest live albums ever recorded imo

This is my favorite reaction you've done, great song and so much true .

Fantastic song and reaction,,,,💥💥💥👍😎

The best name dropping song is The Beverly Hills Telephone Directory Cha Cha Cha. Literally somebody singing the phone book. Genius.

Greta Garbo whose movie Ninotchka a great movie btw was banned in Soviet Union and the Kinks who were later banned in USA just shows the power that film and phonograph possess

Your really good at expressing what a song makes you feel and the thoughts it promulgates. It started w/ Shania Twain, a Canadian in whom the industry backed and foisted the idea of what Country music should be, too a country raised on Don Williams and Marty Robbins or Bakersfield Slim. Simultaneously, the OJ Simpson trial ushered in reality TV; next Paris Hilton, famous for being 'famous', and contemporary Pop-Culture was hatched. Vacuous, vapid and banal modern music: conversely, the song a ballad, a ballad the story, and the sharing of stories makes us happy!

I recently saw a performer introduce a song by saying, " The answer to the question, "Who's the better band--The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?" is The Kinks."

This and Waterloo Sunset...

This was from “The old Grey Whistle Test “ tapes - an absolute goldmine of stuff. Check out Billy Joel and Piano Man

This song really gets me going

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@s.keikhosro_5555

Жыл бұрын

Again u are better than music

The Joanie Mitchell connection - Wow! I never picked up on that and I know this song since 1973. Great observation!

Beautiful

the album version and video are great

The Kinks did so many folky 'singer songwriter' style songs. Please check out Strangers and this time tomorrow.

You're dressed appropriately I haven't heard this song for eons. I don't think that the Kinks got the airplay that they deserved.

Anyone who can appreciate Celluloid Heroes is alright in my book. The Kinks are the kings of underrated and this might be their most under-rated song of all!

Una canción un tanto relajante 🆗 bien 👏👏🍀🍀

Kinks are highly forgotten and underappreciated

@alabhaois

6 ай бұрын

NO WAY!!!

I vaguely remember Ray on an american talk show( 1970's ?) and he told a story about him and wife walking on the street in New Orleans. A man ran by, grabbing her purse and Ray gave chase. The thief turned and fired a gunshot at Ray. Ray eventually recovered from the gunshot wound.(I think it was on The Les Crane Show on KTTV channel 11).

@lucyfoster4082

10 ай бұрын

Yes his femur was shattered. Not his first brush with near death-had a failed tracheostomy as a teen in England, nearly suffocated--survived the night and next morning nurse wheeled him out to a balcony overlooking Waterloo Bridge.

🙂👍 The melody is extremely similar to "Puff The Magic Dragon." I live in Los Angeles, and whenever The Kinks performed here from 1972 onward, they always made it a point to include this song in their set for obvious reasons.

That's such a great song. The album version is much longer with more dynamics.

Need to give a listen to the Kink's (Ray's) Waterloo Sunset

Sir Ray Davies is a national treasure. It was said that the Rolling Stones were pornographic whilst the Kinks were geographic.

@peterjonas4971

25 күн бұрын

NO!!! Ray, too, fell for that aristo- bullsh*t??? That's so depressing. I thought he would take the John Lennon, Keith Richards, David Bowie route.

There are so many more verses in this song in other versions

There is a longer version of this song on the Album, but it does not add a great deal to flesh out the main messages of the song. The Kinks were (are) a GREAT band, fantastic live, a really wide array of material, whats not to like...

Great song

❤️❤️❤️

The irony of people seeking 'fame' is that it is conferred on you by others and there seems to be no end of people luxuriating in anointing some artist as the 'king' of this or the 'queen' of that or the 'greatest' that ever lived as though that confers some kind of esteem on themselves...it's like a form of symbiosis that allows the entertainment industry to thrive.

@andrespalacios1122

Жыл бұрын

👏👏👏👏👏👏

Contentment makes us happy. Wanting what you have, not having what you want.

A band I saw nine times in the 70's. I met them once. Of course, the studio version is more poignant. As other's have said, 'Waterloo Sunset' is peerless. I once read that Ray Davies' recorded singing voice style is adenoidal. But, you would know more about this.There was a tune by his 60's contemporaries, Tony Rivers and The Castaways, who's 'Come On and Love Me Too' is reminiscent of Ray Davies' sixties vocal style.

This hit you also.

At some point I would love for you to listen to An English Lady of a Certain Age by The Divine Comedy. You like wonderful lyrics? Then Neil Hannon is your guy.

Not only a great song, but that is not a “loser album”.