Sitting by the Riverside

The Kinks

About Sitting by the Riverside

"Sitting by the Riverside" is a song by the British rock band the Kinks, written by their main songwriter Ray Davies. It appeared on their 1968 album The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society.


Year:
1968
2:21
219 

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Out in the country,
Far from all the soot and noise of the city,
There's a village green.
It's been a long time
Since I last set eyes on the church with the steeple
Down by the village green.
Twas there I met a girl called daisy
And kissed her by the old oak tree.
Although I loved my daisy, I saw fame,
And so I left the village green.

I miss the village green,
And all the simple people.
I miss the village green,
The church, the clock, the steeple.
I miss the morning dew, fresh air and Sunday school.

And now all the houses
Are rare antiquities.
American tourists flock to see the village green.
They snap their photographs and say "gawd darn it,
Isn't it a pretty scene?"
And daisy's married tom the grocer boy,
And now he owns a grocery.

I miss the village green,
And all the simple people.
I miss the village green,
The church, the clock, the steeple.
I miss the morning dew, fresh air and Sunday school.

And I will return there,
And I'll and daisy,
And we'll sip tea, laugh,
And talk about the village green.
We will laugh and talk about the village green.

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The Kinks

The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, the Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock groups of the era. Their music was influenced by a wide range of genres, including rhythm and blues, British music hall, folk and country. Ray Davies (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Dave Davies (lead guitar, vocals) remained members throughout the group's 32-year run. Original members Pete Quaife (bass guitar, vocals) and Mick Avory (drums and percussion) were replaced by John Dalton in 1969 and Bob Henrit in 1984, respectively. Dalton was in turn replaced by Jim Rodford in 1978. Keyboardist Nicky Hopkins accomp… more »

8 fans

Written by: RAYMOND DOUGLAS DAVIES

Lyrics © Abkco Music Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Sitting by the Riverside" is a song by the British rock band "The Kinks".
Album Release
The song was released in the band's fifth studio album "The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society" in 1968.
Songwriting Credits
The song was written by Ray Davies, the band's lead vocalist and the main songwriter. His songwriting throughout the band's career was remarkable, diverse, and influential.
Lyrics
The lyrics of the song depict a feeling of yearning for simplicity and a slower pace of life, which is a common theme throughout the album.
Musical Style
The song has a dreamy, pastoral sound that is characteristic of much of "The Kinks" music. Its elaborate arrangement features Ray Davies' mellifluous vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar, chiming piano, and soft percussion.
Album Theme
The album "The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society" is considered a concept album as it focuses on themes of English rural life and the loss of old English traditions.
Reception
While "Sitting by the Riverside" was not released as a single, the album itself has been considered by music critics as one of the most influential British albums of all time, regarded as a cult classic.
Influence
Ray Davies and "The Kinks" have been noted for their influence on a range of music genres, and "Sitting by the Riverside" is a prime example of their unique ability to combine rock and pop with a distinctive British flavor.
Live Performances
Despite its popularity, "Sitting by the Riverside" was rarely performed live by "The Kinks". The band focused more on their hit singles during live performances.
Cover Versions
Although "Sitting by the Riverside" has not been extensively covered by other artists, the album as a whole has been recognized for its significant influence on later musicians, and several songs from the album have been covered by a variety of artists.

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