Oklahoma U.S.a.
The Kinks
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All life we work but work is bore, If life's for livin' what's livin' for, She lives in a house that's near decay, Built for the industrial revolution, But in her dreams she is far away, In Oklahoma U.S.A. With Shirley Jones and Gordon McRea, As she buys her paper at the corner shop, She's walkin' on the surrey with the fringe on top, 'Cause in her dreams she is far away, In Oklahoma U.S.A., She walks to work but she's still in a daze, She's Rita Hayworth or Doris Day, And Errol Flynn's gonna take her away, To Oklahoma U.S.A., All life we work but work is a bore, If life's for livin' then what's livin' for.
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10 facts about this song
Band Creation"Oklahoma U.S.A." is a song by The Kinks, an influential rock band from England, that was formed by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in the early 1960s. The Kinks are known for their energy and rawness of their early music.
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Album InclusionThe song "Oklahoma U.S.A." is part of the band's eight studio album "Muswell Hillbillies", released in 1971. The album marked a departure from their more pop-oriented songs, instead exploring more complex themes and experimenting with country and folk music.
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Song ThemeThe song is ultimately about longing for a place and a simpler life that doesn't actually exist. The lyrics reveal a woman whose dreams of America are based solely on romantic Hollywood movies, a theme that rings true no matter what era you're in.
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Lead VocalistThe lead vocals for "Oklahoma U.S.A." were provided by Ray Davies, who was the main songwriter for The Kinks. He is known for his distinct voice and his ability to express complex emotions through his lyrics.
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Musical StyleThe song has a quiet and mellow vibe, which starkly contrasts to its album mates on "Muswell Hillbillies". It conveys a strong feeling of nostalgia and longing through its slow tempo and introspective lyrics.
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Musical InstrumentsOne unique feature of "Oklahoma U.S.A." is the sparse instrumentation. The song mainly features an acoustic guitar, with Ray’s voice front and center, and occasional backing vocals and harmonica, emphasizing the raw emotion of the song.
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ReceptionAlthough "Muswell Hillbillies" wasn't a commercial hit, "Oklahoma U.S.A." has over time gained critical appreciation from fans and critics for its poignant and evocative depiction of longing for a simpler life.
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InspirationRay Davies is said to draw upon his time living in Muswell Hill, North London to create the personified characters in "Muswell Hillbillies", including the woman in "Oklahoma U.S.A.".
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Other Artist's Cover"Oklahoma U.S.A." was covered by Yo La Tengo, an indie rock band from New Jersey, on their 2015 album "Stuff Like That There".
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Live PerformancesDespite the song's popularity among fans, "Oklahoma U.S.A." is rarely performed live by The Kinks, making any live performance of the song something of a rarity.
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Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
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"Oklahoma U.S.a. Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 4 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/8512326/The+Kinks/Oklahoma+U.S.a.>.
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