A Well Respected Man

The Kinks

About A Well Respected Man

"A Well Respected Man" is a song by the British band The Kinks, written by the group's lead singer and rhythm guitarist Ray Davies, and originally released in the United Kingdom on the EP Kwyet Kinks in September 1965 (see 1965 in music), but the song was released on the album Kinkdom in the United States. The song was also released as a single in the US and Continental Europe. "A Well Respected Man" remains one of the band's most popular and best known songs. It is one of four 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," "Waterloo Sunset," and "Lola".  


Year:
1991
2:41
21 
#1

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'Cause he gets up in the morning
And he goes to work at nine
And he comes back home at five-thirty
Gets the same train every time
'Cause his world is built 'round punctuality
It never fails

And he's oh, so good
And he's oh, so fine
And he's oh, so healthy
In his body and his mind
He's a well-respected man about town
Doing the best thing so conservatively

And his mother goes to meetings
While his father pulls the maid
And she stirs the tea with councilors
While discussing foreign trade
And she passes looks, as well as bills
At every suave young man

'Cause he's oh, so good
And he's oh, so fine
And he's oh, so healthy
In his body and his mind
He's a well-respected man about town
Doing the best thing so conservatively

And he likes his own backyard
And he likes his fags the best
'Cause he's better than the rest
And his own sweat smells the best
And he hopes to grab his father's loot
When Pater passes on

'Cause he's oh, so good
And he's oh, so fine
And he's oh, so healthy
In his body and his mind
He's a well-respected man about town
Doing the best thing so conservatively

And he plays at stocks and shares
And he goes to the regatta
He adores the girl next door
'Cause he's dying to get at her
But his mother knows the best about
The matrimonial stakes

'Cause he's oh, so good
And he's oh, so fine
And he's oh, so healthy
In his body and his mind
He's a well-respected man about town
Doing the best thing so conservatively

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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: RAY DAVIES

Lyrics © BROADWAY MUSIC CORPORATION, Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Song Background
"A Well Respected Man" is a song by the British rock band, The Kinks, released in 1965.
Musical Style Classification
This song is often classified under the genre of Rock, British Invasion, and Pop.
Songwriter Identification
It was written by the band's lead vocalist and principal songwriter, Ray Davies.
Album Information
This song was initially released as a single in the UK and included in the US version of the band's album "Kinkdom". Later, it also appeared on several compilation albums such as "The Kink Kronikles" and "Picture Book".
Chart Performance Overview
The song reached number 13 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it one of The Kinks' biggest hits in the United States.
Lyrical Analysis
The lyrics of "A Well Respected Man" provide a biting, satirical commentary on British class and social structure.
Hailing from Beatles' Era
Despite being contemporaries of the Beatles, The Kinks had a distinct style and were known for their influential contributions to the British Invasion of the US music scene.
Notable Recognition
Rolling Stone magazine has named "A Well Respected Man" as one of The Kinks' standout tracks.
Live Performance Fact
It was less frequently performed live by the band, compared to their other hits.
Societal Impact
The song has been covered and referenced by various artists, demonstrating its enduring influence and relevance in pop culture.
Delayed UK Release
Despite its success in the United States, "A Well Respected Man" wasn't released as a single in the UK until 1977, about 12 years after its initial release.
Video Appearance
The music video, which incorporates elements of mime, was directed by Mike Mansfield.
Song Structure Description
The song features a distinctive melody and harmonized chorus, which is a hallmark of The Kinks' sound.
Recording Location
"A Well Respected Man" was recorded at Pye Studios in London, England.
Inclusion in Film
The song was included in the 2000 film, "High Fidelity", as part of the film's soundtrack.

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    A Well Respected Man

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1966

    Billboard #13


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