Well Respected Man

The Kinks

About 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:
1965
2:38
1,085 
#2

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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


10 facts about this song

Song Background
"Well Respected Man" was released by British rock band The Kinks in 1965.
Songwriter
The song was written by The Kinks' frontman Ray Davies, who was known for his keen social observations.
Music Genre
The song is typically classified as both rock and British invasion. "Well Respected Man" also fits into the genre of British music hall, a type of popular music in Britain during the mid to late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Chart Performance
In the United States, "A Well Respected Man" reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Song Inspiration
Ray Davies reputedly wrote "Well Respected Man" after overhearing a conversation between American record executives, who were speaking fondly of their standard company "man in a gray flannel suit."
Musical Style
"Well Respected Man" is distinctive for its folk-rock sound, heavily influenced by Bob Dylan.
Lyrics Content
The lyrics mock the British class system and the aspirations of the middle class.
Musical Accompliments
The song features solely on acoustic instruments – mostly guitars and a bit of percussion, which made it a standout in The Kinks' repertoire.
Release Controversy
Although it was a hit in America, "A Well Respected Man" wasn't released as a single in the UK due its pointed commentary on British society.
Cover Versions
Several artists have covered "Well Respected Man," including Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip and American singer-songwriter J.K. Coltrain.

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