Picture Book
The Kinks
Lyrics currently unavailable…
11 facts about this song
Album Origin"Picture Book" is a song by the British rock band The Kinks and comes from their sixth studio album "The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society."
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Release TimelineThe song was released in November, 1968, and again reissued in January, 2012.
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Music Style"Picture Book" is grounded in the genres of rock and pop, reflecting The Kinks' signature blend of accessible melodies and sharp storytelling.
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Song ThemeThe song features a nostalgic theme, portraying the reminiscence of a person looking back on his past through faded old family photographs.
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Song Composition"Picture Book" boasts a unique composition where the lyrics are entirely in strophic form. This means the melody for every verse is essentially the same, with only the words changing.
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Lead ContributorsThe song features Ray Davies as the lead vocalist, his brother Dave Davies on lead guitar and backing vocals, Peter Quaife on bass, and Mick Avory on drums.
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Variation in PerformancesInterestingly, live performances of 'Picture Book' often included extended instrumental jams, diverging from the original 2-minute, 34-second studio version.
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Critic's PerspectiveCritics praise "Picture Book" for its storytelling prowess, where The Kinks cleverly uses the concept of family photographs as metaphorical vehicles to reflect on the fleeting nature of time, youth, and memory.
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AdvertisementsThe song became widely popular in the US following its use in a 2004 Hewlett-Packard television commercial where digital photography was promoted. This commercial successfully brought the almost-forgotten track back to public attention.
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Chart PerformanceDespite its initial lukewarm response, the re-release of "Picture Book" in the digital age made it a frequently streamed The Kinks track on Spotify, displaying its timeless appeal.
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Cover VersionsVarious artists have covered "Picture Book" over the years, which highlights the song’s continued influence in music, despite its initial commercial shortcomings.
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Citation
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"Picture Book Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/22987055/The+Kinks/Picture+Book>.
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