The Village Green Preservation Society
| "The Village Green Preservation Society" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "Do You Remember Walter?" (US) "Picture Book" (Denmark) |
"The Village Green Preservation Society" is a single by the British rock group The Kinks. Written by Ray Davies, the song is a nostalgic reflection on cultural English "village green", country, and hamlet lifestyle, and references many different characteristics and features of it, such as Tudor houses and draught beer. At the same time, it speaks negatively of modern, industrial traits, such as office blocks and skyscrapers.
As the opening track of The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society, it sets the theme for the majority of the rest of the album. It is also, according to AllMusic, the best-known track from the album.[1]
The song has been part of the Kinks' live setlist. The song inspired the band's slogan, "God Save the Kinks".[1]
Reception
"The Village Green Preservation Society" generally received positive reviews. Rolling Stone magazine praised the songs vocals and stated that "the tune, the rhythm, are more of a delight with each verse".[2] AllMusic's Stewart Mason felt that the song was "one of Davies' sweetest creations", but felt that it is overrated and not as successful lyrically as 1967's "Autumn Almanac".[1]
The song was the second single released in America from The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society (the first being "Starstruck"), but it did not chart.
Album appearances
Studio albums
Live albums
- The Kinks at the BBC
- To the Bone
- Live in London: 1973–1977
Compilation albums
Personnel
- Ray Davies – lead vocals, guitar, keyboard[3]
- Dave Davies – acoustic guitar, backing vocals[3]
- Pete Quaife – bass guitar, backing vocals [3]
- Mick Avory – drums[3]
References
- ^ a b c Stewart Mason. "The Village Green Preservation Society - The Kinks | Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
- ^ Paul Williams (14 June 1969). "Village Green Preservation Society | Album Reviews". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
- ^ a b c d "AllMusic review".
