The Kinks’ third and final No 1 soundtracked the golden summer of 1966, when England lifted the World Cup and London was the place to be. “Days” has since become a beloved anthem, with Kirsty MacColl’s 1989 version rivalling the original. Surprisingly omitted from The Village Green Preservation Society album, the song has a wistful elegance and longing for the past that would have fitted perfectly with the album’s themes. You can bet Pete Townsend was listening closely too. In 1964, no one was making music quite like this and its influence is clear on the Doors “Hello, I Love You”. Taking breakthrough single “You Really Got Me” as its template, the follow-up was even rawer, sexier and almost as successful. It was the first of many acutely observed character studies, and offered hints of the music hall influence that would permeate Ray’s future work. He trained his jaundiced eye on the prototype social climber, with England’s class divide also in the firing line. Peerless satire from Ray Davies here marked a pronounced stylistic shift in his songwriting.
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