SONG OF THE DAY

“A Well-Respected Man” by The Kinks (Kywet Kinks, Reprise Records, 1965).

INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia)

- It was released as a sin­gle in the US in Octo­ber and reached #13.

- Musi­cally, it marked the begin­ning of an expan­sion in the Kinks’ inspi­ra­tions, draw­ing much from British music hall tra­di­tions, as well as from Amer­i­can rhythm-and-blues used later in songs such as “Ded­i­cated Fol­lower of Fashion”.

- Fol­low­ing the suc­cess of that sin­gle, “A Well Respected Man” was also released as a sin­gle in main­land Europe in March 1966.

- It was one of three Kinks songs included on The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll along with “You Really Got Me” and “Lola”.

- Davies com­posed the song based on a neg­a­tive expe­ri­ence with upper class guests at a lux­ury resort where he was stay­ing in 1965. He crafted the song to mock what he per­ceived as their con­de­scen­sion and self-satisfaction.

- The song was recently fea­tured in the 2007 film Juno and its award-winning soundtrack.

- The song can be heard dur­ing the end cred­its of the 2004 film The Life and Death of Peter Sell­ers.

- The song can also be heard in the Homi­cide: Life on the Street episode, “Colors”.