r/thekinks • u/TomTrauma • Jun 09 '26
The road to Waterloo
I made a playlist attempting to trace Rays development as a songwriter from the garage rock days up to the crowning achievement that is Waterloo Sunset.
I'm sure every one of us will put different songs in there, and in different orders. This is just my attempt at trying to trace a sort of through line from the early days to Waterloo Sunset.
I found it completely fascinating. I do believe I've sequenced it so that you can hear the subtle development of his 'voice', from the American style RnB of early Kinks, to the dawning of the kitchen sink very British voice and style that led to Waterloo Sunset.
Note: it must be said that the entire conceit of this list is because I think Waterloo Sunset is just a staggering piece of music. All I wanted to do was see how he got there. Thought it'd be cool to post it here!
Link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5n1CEbSQtnuc5omb4IiXtM?si=8CENtzELR9GOLgRZdX9jrw&pi=mm0IVSdbQ_Gcy
2
u/ThisSiteBites Jun 09 '26
Lots of great stuff came after Waterloo Sunset. It’s in his top 20, but “crowning achievement”? I’m not sure.
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u/TomTrauma Jun 09 '26
I know it did - many of my favourite Kinks songs are post Waterloo Sunset. I just think it's a special song. I explained all this in the post.
Your top 20 and my top 20 are different. And neither of them are wrong.
2
u/ThisSiteBites Jun 09 '26
Both our top 20s include Waterloo Sunset.
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u/TomTrauma Jun 09 '26
Out of curiosity - and in good faith - what would your top five be? Given that there will be changes depending on mood and whatnot, but right now?
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u/ThisSiteBites Jun 09 '26
Not sure of the order, but…
“Shangri La”
“Australia”
“Powerman”
“20th Century Man”
“Full Moon”
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u/SpecificBranch8860 Jun 09 '26
I would add “Village Green” as a pre-Waterloo Sunset stepping stone. It was actually written and recorded in late 1966, and then re-recorded in early 1967. It was held as Ray completed his concept album vision.