Seen as many to be the “quintessential English band”, The Kinks were formed by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in North London way back in 1963.
Often linked to the so-called ‘mod-scene’, the boys dabbled in a number of different musical styles such as folk, rhythm and blues, music hall and country and helped pave the way for genres like hard rock and heavy metal.
Although they wrote some of Britain’s best-loved pop songs (‘Sunny Afternoon’, ‘Days’, ‘Lola’ and ‘Waterloo Sunset’) one of their finest contributions to music is ‘The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society’ – a concept album in which the band pay homage to all things English.
Pour yourself a cup of tea and check out the title track for yourself.
LYRICS:
We are the Village Green Preservation Society
God save Donald Duck, Vaudeville and Variety
We are the Desperate Dan Appreciation Society
God save strawberry jam and all the different varieties
Preserving the old ways from being abused
Protecting the new ways for me and for you
What more can we do
We are the Draught Beer Preservation Society
God save Mrs. Mopp and good Old Mother Riley
We are the Custard Pie Appreciation Consortium
God save the George Cross and all those who were awarded them
We are the Sherlock Holmes English Speaking Vernacular
Help save Fu Manchu, Moriarty and Dracula
We are the Office Block Persecution Affinity
God save little shops, china cups and virginity
We are the Skyscraper condemnation Affiliate
God save tudor houses, antique tables and billiards
Preserving the old ways from being abused
Protecting the new ways for me and for you
What more can we do
God save the Village Green.