Shangri-La

About Shangri-La

"Shangri-La" is a song written by Ray Davies of The Kinks. The song appeared on the 1969 concept album, Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire). The song's inspiration can be traced back to when the band visited the Davies brothers' sister, Rose, and her family in Australia, the "designed community" that the family lived in serving as the initial lyrical inspiration. The song's highly ironic lyrics comment on British class society while portraying Arthur, the album's ill-fated protagonist, and his empty life in the suburbs. The musical aspects of the song both reflect and comment on the mood of the lyrics. "Shangri-La" was released as the second single from Arthur in the United Kingdom, backed with "This Man He Weeps Tonight." The single was a commercial failure, not reaching the charts in any countries besides the Netherlands. The members of the band, however, thought highly of the song, with both Dave Davies and John Dalton singling it out for praise. more »

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Now that you've found your paradise
This is your kingdom to command
You can go outside and polish your car
Or sit by the fire in your Shangri-la

Here's your reward for working so hard
Gone on the lavatories in the back yard
Gone all the days when you dreamed of that car
You just want to sit in your shangri-la

Put on your slippers and sit by the fire
You've reached your top and you just can't get any higher
You're in your place and you know where you are
In your Shangri-la
Sit back in your old rocking chair
You need not worry, you need not care
You can't go anywhere
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la

The little man who gets the train
Has got a mortgage hanging over his head
But he's too scared to complain
'Cause he's conditioned that way
Time goes by and he pays off his debts
Got a T.V set and a radio
For seven Shillings a week
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la

All the houses on the street have got a name
'Cause all the houses in the street they look the same
Same chimney pots, same little cars, same window panes
The neighbors call to tell you things that you should know 
They say their lines, they drink their tea, and then they go 
They tell your business in another Shangri-la 
The gas bills and the water rates, and payments on the car 
Too scared to think about how insecure you are 
Life ain't so happy in your little Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la la la la la la la la la

Put on your slippers and sit by the fire 
You've reached your top and you just can't get any higher 
You're in your place and you know where you are 
In your Shangri-la 
Sit back in your old rocking chair 
You need not worry, you need not care 
You can't go anywhere
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la

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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 »

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