1968 saw The Kinks move away from the incendiary guitar riffs of “You Really Got Me” and embrace more nuanced, melancholy songwriting. “The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society”, released that year, is a testament to this evolution. This album, now a cult but at the time commercially ignored, is a celebration of the average Englishman, a tribute to the little things that make up the fabric of everyday life.
But 1968 was not just a year of musical transition for the Kinks. It also marked the beginning of internal difficulties and struggles with their record company. As Davies recounted, “We were sort of the outcasts of rock music. We didn't fit the mould. These tensions undoubtedly contributed to the more introspective and critical tone of their work during this period.
The band wasn't in tune with the mainstream of 1968, the hippy movement or the political revolution. They were in their own universe, a universe that resonated with those seeking meaning beyond spectacle and excess.
The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society album
The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society album, with its cover evoking an England of yesteryear, is a collage of songs celebrating themes such as nostalgia, simplicity and a certain rural idealism. Tracks like ‘Picture Book' and ‘Big Sky' reflect a tenderness and introspection rarely explored with such finesse.
A famous anecdote tells how Ray Davies was inspired to write “Animal Farm”: “I was sitting in my garden one day, looking out over the hills of England, and I suddenly felt this urgent need to speak for those who couldn't speak. Hence the line ‘This world is big and wild and half insane'.”
The album's initial reception was lukewarm, a commercial failure that affected Davies deeply. With hindsight, however, ‘Village Green' has become a cult album, a precious record of a bygone era. As Davies said, “I wanted to create something that would never grow old.”
In “Village Green”, The Kinks didn't just create an album; they painted a fresco of England, a canvas where each song is a pinch of colour added to a larger picture. It's an album that not only stands the test of time, but seems to become more relevant as the years pass.
The song: The Village Green Preservation Society
Musically, the song features a relatively simple but effective arrangement. The melody is catchy, with an upbeat rhythm and a catchy chorus. Traditional instruments such as piano and acoustic guitar reinforce the song's retro theme. Ray Davies' voice is clear and expressive, conveying both amusement and affection.
The chorus, “Preserving the old ways from being abused / Protecting the new ways, for me and for you / What more can we do?” is particularly memorable. It encapsulates the essence of the song's message: a desire to preserve the past while embracing change.
On its release, “The Village Green Preservation Society” was not a great commercial success, but over time it has become emblematic of the Kinks' work and of the album itself. The song is often cited as a prime example of Ray Davies' talent for capturing the spirit of England and its cultural nuances.
The song has achieved classic status, appreciated for its ability to evoke a bygone era with affection and a touch of criticism. It is often repeated and evoked in contexts celebrating British culture and tradition.
Where to listen The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society ?
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