One of the Survivors

The Kinks

About One of the Survivors

"One of the Survivors" is a song by the British rock band The Kinks. Appearing on their 1973 concept album Preservation Act 1, the song was written by the band's main songwriter, Ray Davies.


Year:
1973
4:31
114 
#2

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See Johnny Thunder sitting on his motorbike 
Riding along the highway, 
Rock and roll songs from the nineteen-fifties 
Buzzing around in his brain. 
Johnny Thunder he's one of the original bebop generation 
And he's got no time for complicated music 
Or too much sophistication. 

He's one of the survivors, 
The motorbike riders. 
You ought to see Johnny Thunder 
Riding down the highway 
One of the rock and roll survivors, 
Twelve bars flowing through his brain. 
He digs Jerry Lee Lewis, Dion and The Belmonts, 
And Johnny and The Hurricanes. 

He plays Hound Dog, Oh Boy, 
And Great Balls of Fire 
And Boppin' At The High School Hop. 
And he's got no time for phonies or posers 
Cause they don't know how to reel and rock. 
And he plays Little Egypt and Ooh Poo Pah Doo, 
And he plays Poison Ivy and Blue Suede Shoes, 
The Hollywood Argyles, Danny and The Juniors, 
Dion and The Belmonts, Johnny and The Hurricanes. 

He's one of the survivors, 
The boppers and the jivers, 
Yeah and he rocks all day. 
Johnny and The Hurricanes, Johnny and The Hurricanes. 

Got my freedom riding along the freeway. 
I ride a hundred miles an hour 
But I don't mess up my D.A. 
Rock, rock, rock, rock, rock 'n' roll. 
You can't stop rock 'n' rollin' music play. 
Rock, rock, rock, rock, rock 'n' roll. 
You can't stop rock 'n' rollin' music play. 

Feel those vibrations flow in my brain. 
Got my freedom riding down the highway, 
Keeps me sane, feel alive, 
I'm one of the survivors. 

Feel all right. 
First gear, second gear, 
Third gear, fourth gear, all right. 
Old Johnny Thunder looks a little overweight, 
And his sideburns are turning grey. 
But he still likes to bebop, boogie and jive 
To his worn out seventy-eights. 
Johnny Thunder. 
He's alright. 
He's one of the survivors, 
Twelve bars flowing through his brain, 
Jerry Lee Lewis, Dion and The Belmonts, 
Johnny and The Hurricanes, 
Johnny and The Hurricanes.

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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 »

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Written by: RAY DAVIES

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song History
"One of the Survivors" is a song by the British band The Kinks. It was included in their acclaimed 1973 album, "Preservation Act 1."
Genre Classification
Known for their innovative and varied musical styles throughout their career, in "One of the Survivors," The Kinks explore a mixture of rock, pop, and theater music.
Concept Album
The song is part of "Preservation Act 1," a concept album. Concept albums tell a story throughout the songs, and "One of the Survivors" specifically depicts a character in the story.
Inspiration behind the song
The song loosely describes the band's lead guitarist, Dave Davies. The character is portrayed as an aging rocker who resists changes in popular music and holds on to his youthful rock-and-roll spirit.
Songwriting
Like all the songs on "Preservation Act 1," "One of the Survivors" was written by Ray Davies, the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of The Kinks.
Track Position
The song is the seventh track on "Preservation Act 1" album.
Live Performances
Although the song was not released as a single, it has been included in The Kinks' live performances.
Critical Reception
Critics have praised "One of the Survivors" for its sharp lyrics, energetic rock melody, and portrayal of a character in decline, which are classic elements of The Kinks' style.
Album success
"Preservation Act 1," the album on which "One of the Survivors" appears, reached number 177 on the US Billboard chart.
Band Legacy
"One of the Survivors," like many of The Kinks' songs, is often cited as an influence by many modern rock bands. For instance, artists like Damon Albarn of Blur and Paul Weller of The Jam have vocalized their admiration for The Kinks and their music.

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