The 3 Best Kinks Singles Of All Time - And Why
The recording career of The Kinks spanned over 30 years and generated 17 UK top 20 singles and 7 US top 20 singles.
78 singles were released in all - a huge catalogue, which is quite rightly regarded as one of the most important and significant in the history of popular music.
But which ones are the best Kinks singles from this huge list? If one looks at the most successful singles in terms of chart position, the UK list would be: - You Really Got Me Tired Of Waiting For You Sunny Afternoon All of these made UK#1, whereas the US list would be: - Tired Of Waiting For You (#6) Come Dancing (#6) You Really Got Me (#7) All Day And All Of The Night (#7) If you asked me to rate the 3 most significant singles by The Kinks, I would say: - You Really Got Me Waterloo Sunset Lola These I think were the most innovative at their time, each taking the world to somewhere new, and each remaining hugely popular ever since.
A large proportion of people regard Waterloo Sunset as the finest song of the 60's, if not of all time.
I absolutely love all of the above listed tracks, but for my top 3, I'm going to delve a lot deeper into some far less successful releases.
These are my personal favourites: - 1.
Sweet Lady Genevieve (did not chart) From the 1973 album, Preservation Act 1.
This beautiful, rhythmic ballad is simply divine.
My favourite lines are those of the opening verse: - "Once under a scarlet sky I told you never ending lies But they were the words of a drunken vagabond Who knew very well he would break your heart before long Oh forgive me Genevieve" 2.
Scattered (did not chart) From 1993 album, Phobia.
This fabulous track is a highly philosophical number about loss.
It works on different levels, alluding I think to separation both by distance and by death.
My favourite lines are: - "And the soul that is free can live on eternally And the spirit can live on though it's scattered in the world beyond And I've been out of my mind ever since she's been gone" 3.
Better Things (UK#46; US#92) From 1981's Give The People What They Want.
A wonderfully uplifting and optimistic song.
My favourite lines: - "Here's wishing you the bluest skies and hoping something better comes tomorrow Hoping all the verses rhyme and the very best of choruses too"
78 singles were released in all - a huge catalogue, which is quite rightly regarded as one of the most important and significant in the history of popular music.
But which ones are the best Kinks singles from this huge list? If one looks at the most successful singles in terms of chart position, the UK list would be: - You Really Got Me Tired Of Waiting For You Sunny Afternoon All of these made UK#1, whereas the US list would be: - Tired Of Waiting For You (#6) Come Dancing (#6) You Really Got Me (#7) All Day And All Of The Night (#7) If you asked me to rate the 3 most significant singles by The Kinks, I would say: - You Really Got Me Waterloo Sunset Lola These I think were the most innovative at their time, each taking the world to somewhere new, and each remaining hugely popular ever since.
A large proportion of people regard Waterloo Sunset as the finest song of the 60's, if not of all time.
I absolutely love all of the above listed tracks, but for my top 3, I'm going to delve a lot deeper into some far less successful releases.
These are my personal favourites: - 1.
Sweet Lady Genevieve (did not chart) From the 1973 album, Preservation Act 1.
This beautiful, rhythmic ballad is simply divine.
My favourite lines are those of the opening verse: - "Once under a scarlet sky I told you never ending lies But they were the words of a drunken vagabond Who knew very well he would break your heart before long Oh forgive me Genevieve" 2.
Scattered (did not chart) From 1993 album, Phobia.
This fabulous track is a highly philosophical number about loss.
It works on different levels, alluding I think to separation both by distance and by death.
My favourite lines are: - "And the soul that is free can live on eternally And the spirit can live on though it's scattered in the world beyond And I've been out of my mind ever since she's been gone" 3.
Better Things (UK#46; US#92) From 1981's Give The People What They Want.
A wonderfully uplifting and optimistic song.
My favourite lines: - "Here's wishing you the bluest skies and hoping something better comes tomorrow Hoping all the verses rhyme and the very best of choruses too"
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