 Ultimate Collection (1990) [ larger cover art ] |
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Musicbrainz DBEverybody's a dreamer
And everybody's a star
And everybody's in movies
It doesn't matter who you are
There are stars in every city
In every house and on every street
And if you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Their names are written in concrete
Don't step on Greta Garbo
As you walk down the boulevard
She looks so weak and fragile
That's why she tried to be so hard
But they turned her into a princess
And they sat her on a throne
But she turned her back on stardom
Because she wanted to be alone
You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognise, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
Rudolph Valentino
Looks very much alive
And he looks up ladies' dresses
As they sadly pass him by
Avoid stepping on Bela Lugosi
'Cause he's liable to turn and bite
But stand close by Bette Davis
Because hers was such a lonely life
If you covered him with garbage
George Sanders would still have style
And if you stamped on Mickey Rooney
He would still turn 'round and smile
But please don't tread on dearest Marilyn
'Cause she's not very tough
She should have been made of iron or steel
But she was only made of flesh and blood
You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognise, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
Everybody's a dreamer
And everybody's a star
And everybody's in show-biz
It doesn't matter who you are
And those who are successful
Be always on your guard
Success walks hand in hand with failure
Along Hollywood Boulevard
I wish my life was a non-stop Hollywood movie show
A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes
'Cause celluloid heroes never feel any pain
And celluloid heroes never really die
You can see all the stars as you walk along Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognise, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
La la la la, la la la la la la la la la
La la la la, la la la la la la la la la
Oh, celluloid heroes never feel any pain
Oh, celluloid heroes never really die
I wish my life was a non-stop Hollywood movie show
A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes
Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain
And celluloid heroes never really die
| kaviksdad (Mission Control...) | Posted: May 02, 2013 - 14:25 Sasha2001 wrote: If this song were written about the movie stars of today I would totally agree with your statement. But mr. Davies is referencing an era when the cinema inhabited a space far more influential and mythic. Movie stars of the 30s and 40s literally were heroes in the way they lifted the spirits of Americans and Europeans suffering through the Great Depression and the horrors of World War II. Many of them actually donated their talents to produce war fims for the U.S. government. Later, many of these same icons would be called before the House Comittee on UnAmerican Activities where their patriotism would be called into question by the demagogic senator from Wisconsin, Joseph McCarthy. In the 1950s and 60s European and then American intellectuals wrote about American cinema as a great art form worthy of it's own kind of criticism. Their writings no doubt influenced war babies like Mr. Davies to think about popular entertainment in a new and exciting way. It's from this context that mr. Davies offers his ballad to the cinema icons of his recent past. For many English war babies, American culture was a great respite from the often abusive treatment they received from an older generation that fought during the war and most likely suffered from post traumatic stress disorder. Pete Townsend has talked and written about this, and I think if you look closely at the work of most of the great British songwriters of this time, you'll find similar themes of longing and escape. But In my humble opinion Ray Davies was one of the best at encapsulating a spirit of British repression, escape, and release. For a young boy looking to drown out the sad realities of post war England where are you going to go? To the movie theater or the dance hall. And once you get there the performers take on a mythic, almost heroic status. Yes, this is spot on. I couldn't have said it better myself, and doubt anyone else could as well. To me, this song, and the album it originally came from, is The Kinks crowning achievement. |
| Sweet_Virginia | Posted: May 02, 2013 - 14:20 Sasha2001 wrote: If this song were written about the movie stars of today I would totally agree with your statement. But mr. Davies is referencing an era when the cinema inhabited a space far more influential and mythic. Movie stars of the 30s and 40s literally were heroes in the way they lifted the spirits of Americans and Europeans suffering through the Great Depression and the horrors of World War II. Many of them actually donated their talents to produce war fims for the U.S. government. Later, many of these same icons would be called before the House Comittee on UnAmerican Activities where their patriotism would be called into question by the demagogic senator from Wisconsin, Joseph McCarthy. In the 1950s and 60s European and then American intellectuals wrote about American cinema as a great art form worthy of it's own kind of criticism. Their writings no doubt influenced war babies like Mr. Davies to think about popular entertainment in a new and exciting way. It's from this context that mr. Davies offers his ballad to the cinema icons of his recent past. For many English war babies, American culture was a great respite from the often abusive treatment they received from an older generation that fought during the war and most likely suffered from post traumatic stress disorder. Pete Townsend has talked and written about this, and I think if you look closely at the work of most of the great British songwriters of this time, you'll find similar themes of longing and escape. But In my humble opinion Ray Davies was one of the best at encapsulating a spirit of British repression, escape, and release. For a young boy looking to drown out the sad realities of post war England where are you going to go? To the movie theater or the dance hall. And once you get there the performers take on a mythic, almost heroic status. This is a fabulous, insightful response. One of the reasons I love this station (as well as the great music). |
| docblume (Germany) | Posted: Mar 17, 2013 - 03:42 thx for this great song. |
| ambrebalte (Beijing most of the time - Wolxheim in France now) | Posted: Jan 13, 2013 - 10:57 Sasha2001 wrote: If this song were written about the movie stars of today I would totally agree with your statement. But mr. Davies is referencing an era when the cinema inhabited a space far more influential and mythic. Movie stars of the 30s and 40s literally were heroes in the way they lifted the spirits of Americans and Europeans suffering through the Great Depression and the horrors of World War II. Many of them actually donated their talents to produce war fims for the U.S. government. Later, many of these same icons would be called before the House Comittee on UnAmerican Activities where their patriotism would be called into question by the demagogic senator from Wisconsin, Joseph McCarthy. (...) Thank you for your insight, nicely written. Couldn't agree more. |
| Sasha2001 (The business end of Bloomberg's education machine.) | Posted: Oct 26, 2012 - 16:20 rubenbeagle wrote: Oh Pul-eeeeze. I enjoy a good movie as well as the next guy, but our culture's obsession with the actors and actresses is a bit much....
If this song were written about the movie stars of today I would totally agree with your statement. But mr. Davies is referencing an era when the cinema inhabited a space far more influential and mythic. Movie stars of the 30s and 40s literally were heroes in the way they lifted the spirits of Americans and Europeans suffering through the Great Depression and the horrors of World War II. Many of them actually donated their talents to produce war fims for the U.S. government. Later, many of these same icons would be called before the House Comittee on UnAmerican Activities where their patriotism would be called into question by the demagogic senator from Wisconsin, Joseph McCarthy. In the 1950s and 60s European and then American intellectuals wrote about American cinema as a great art form worthy of it's own kind of criticism. Their writings no doubt influenced war babies like Mr. Davies to think about popular entertainment in a new and exciting way. It's from this context that mr. Davies offers his ballad to the cinema icons of his recent past. For many English war babies, American culture was a great respite from the often abusive treatment they received from an older generation that fought during the war and most likely suffered from post traumatic stress disorder. Pete Townsend has talked and written about this, and I think if you look closely at the work of most of the great British songwriters of this time, you'll find similar themes of longing and escape. But In my humble opinion Ray Davies was one of the best at encapsulating a spirit of British repression, escape, and release. For a young boy looking to drown out the sad realities of post war England where are you going to go? To the movie theater or the dance hall. And once you get there the performers take on a mythic, almost heroic status. |
| Phlegmaticman (270 miles south of Paradise, CA) | Posted: Oct 26, 2012 - 15:09 The Kinks can make me feel wistful. |
| cc_rider (Austin Texas. Y'all.) | Posted: Oct 11, 2012 - 08:24 rubenbeagle wrote: Oh Pul-eeeeze. I enjoy a good movie as well as the next guy, but our culture's obsession with the actors and actresses is a bit much.... I don't disagree, but movies have also been agents of change. 'I was a Fugitive from a Chain Gang' exposed the abuses of the chain gang prisons and led to reforms (several scenes in 'Cool Hand Luke' are practically shot-for-shot remakes). 'The Snake Pit', among others, led to reforms in mental institutions. Hedy Lamar (sp?) made breakthroughs in communication technology that are still used today. Many stars served in WW II, and not just in promo pieces either. Jimmy Stewart flew a B-24, for example. Movies have the opportunity to reveal the best, and the worst, of human behavior. For every 'Inherit the Wind' there are a dozen 'Booty Call's. |
| h8rhater | Posted: Oct 11, 2012 - 08:21 Cynaera wrote: When I first heard this song, I took it very literally. Now, hearing it again with a lot more sense and cynicism, it's even more pertinent. It's good - like settling into a well-worn chair with an old friend and feeling comfortable enough to say anything without fear of repercussion. Love this song. Always. Old friends will be missed. |
| max_p | Posted: Oct 11, 2012 - 08:19 smartn1 wrote: Blah tune and worse lyrics at least one can recognize these rock lyrics. |
| thubeav (Decatur, GA) | Posted: Oct 11, 2012 - 08:17 Priceless. Not talking about them talking about yourself. In a class with Cortez the Killer and The Rain Song. |
| smartn1 | Posted: Oct 11, 2012 - 08:17 Blah tune and worse lyrics |
| dougmbrown (Denver) | Posted: Oct 11, 2012 - 08:15 Thank you for adding this smile to my work day. Perhaps my favorite Kinks song of all time. |
| rubenbeagle (Deep in the heart of Illinois) | Posted: Sep 09, 2012 - 18:59 Oh Pul-eeeeze. I enjoy a good movie as well as the next guy, but our culture's obsession with the actors and actresses is a bit much.... |
| 4merdj (donde el viento se devuelve) | Posted: Aug 24, 2012 - 15:35 Simply ... beautiful ... Happy B-Day, my friend!!  |
| jbunniii (San Jose, CA) | Posted: Aug 24, 2012 - 15:33 It's a good song but I don't like this version that much. The live version on the "Come Dancing" compilation is much better. |
| toterola (Further) | Posted: Jun 22, 2012 - 18:39 Love it, always have. One of the best live bands ever to take the stage, back when. |
| franta | Posted: May 06, 2012 - 09:54 sirdroseph wrote: No, I change my mind, this one sucks too.  |
| Bobert_ParkCity (Park City Utah) | Posted: May 06, 2012 - 09:42 This song, in this set, is like the rug that really ties the room together. |
| Proclivities (Carrboro, NC) | Posted: Apr 20, 2012 - 05:51 sajitjacob wrote: I never really got the Kinks and this song is nauseatingly reverential. Sorry.   |
| ziggytrix (Dallas, TX) | Posted: Apr 04, 2012 - 16:56 sajitjacob wrote: I never really got the Kinks and this song is nauseatingly reverential. Sorry. I can relate. First 15 times I heard this song I despised it for the lyrics, but I have to admit, the tune itself is damn catchy if you tune the words out. 2->5 |
| Bozo (Steeler Penguin Pirate land) | Posted: Mar 19, 2012 - 12:58 Ray Davies is a storyteller of the nth degree: it's a shame that he couldn't reconcile with his brother. He played Pittsburgh last year with a bunch of young-uns and more than one reviewer called it the concert of the year |
| sajitjacob (Christchurch NZ) | Posted: Mar 19, 2012 - 12:54 I never really got the Kinks and this song is nauseatingly reverential. Sorry. |
| gemtag (Texas) | Posted: Feb 16, 2012 - 19:06 lemmoth wrote: Welcome to RP newbie. Went to check out what your highest and lowest rated songs and realized you were brand new with only a comment on this classic, brilliant, pop rock masterpiece by the underappreciated and brilliant Kinks. Please listen more and share your views on other tunes played here.  |
| lemmoth (NYC) | Posted: Feb 01, 2012 - 08:02 milleronic wrote: Please stop playing this godawful song! Welcome to RP newbie. Went to check out what your highest and lowest rated songs and realized you were brand new with only a comment on this classic, brilliant, pop rock masterpiece by the underappreciated and brilliant Kinks. Please listen more and share your views on other tunes played here. |
| cc_rider (Austin Texas. Y'all.) | Posted: Feb 01, 2012 - 08:00 milleronic wrote: Please stop playing this godawful song! Some of us really like this song. Note the average ranking.Just sayin'. |
| milleronic | Posted: Dec 31, 2011 - 13:36 Please stop playing this godawful song! |
| treatment_bound (Duluth to Madison) | Posted: Nov 29, 2011 - 19:48 daveesh wrote: is mickey rooney the only one mentioned that's still alive? yup |
| linzie | Posted: Nov 29, 2011 - 19:42 Never a huge Kinks fan, but this one I've always liked-a solid 8 |
| daveesh (birthplace of the american revolution) | Posted: Nov 29, 2011 - 19:41 is mickey rooney the only one mentioned that's still alive? |
| ginger (Connecticut) | Posted: Sep 11, 2011 - 12:55 Just have to reiterate my Sucko-Barfo rating for this one. Sorry...I just can't find anything to like about this song. |
| vo1dza | Posted: Sep 11, 2011 - 12:54 Great song, although I prefer the live version on 'One For The Road'. |
| Cynaera (Kenneth's Frequency) | Posted: Jul 26, 2011 - 17:44 Ahnyer_Keester wrote: Never really cared for The Kinks. Not my cuppa. Thank you for not using that puke icon. And I think The Kinks are an acquired taste, like oysters or jalapenos. Not your cuppa? That's okay, because your cuppa probably has some wonderful stuff in it. How cool that RP provides for anyone's cuppa, if they'll listen long enough... ;-) (And I still think you need to find a poster that's named KnockU and post immediately after it...) I guess I'm an acquired taste, too... |
| alcal74 | Posted: Jul 26, 2011 - 17:43 Amen. |
| Cynaera (Kenneth's Frequency) | Posted: Jul 26, 2011 - 17:41 When I first heard this song, I took it very literally. Now, hearing it again with a lot more sense and cynicism, it's even more pertinent. It's good - like settling into a well-worn chair with an old friend and feeling comfortable enough to say anything without fear of repercussion. Love this song. Always. |
| Pieter (Sydney Australia) | Posted: Jun 09, 2011 - 03:36 Baby_M wrote: Very poignant:
...and those who are successful, be always on your guard You see, success walks hand in hand with failure down the Hollywood Boulevard.... No, almost got it, but ended up cliched. |
| cc_rider (Austin Texas. Y'all.) | Posted: May 24, 2011 - 14:31 I love this song. |
| lemmoth (NYC) | Posted: May 24, 2011 - 14:31 sirdroseph wrote: No, I change my mind, this one sucks too. Another in a long line of examples of your complete lack of taste. |
| Bleyfusz | Posted: May 24, 2011 - 14:28 Ahnyer_Keester wrote: Never really cared for The Kinks. Not my cuppa. Rather your loss. |
| Ahnyer_Keester (Chicago Il) | Posted: Mar 22, 2011 - 12:01 Never really cared for The Kinks. Not my cuppa. |
| Baby_M (a 100+-year old building in downtown Akron, Ohio) | Posted: Mar 22, 2011 - 11:59 Very poignant: ...and those who are successful, be always on your guard You see, success walks hand in hand with failure down the Hollywood Boulevard.... |
| sirdroseph (Yes) | Posted: Mar 22, 2011 - 11:56 sirdroseph wrote: The Kinks in general suck ass IMO, but this one is alright. No, I change my mind, this one sucks too. |
| NinerSevenTango | Posted: Mar 06, 2011 - 10:21 Always sounds like Mother Of Pearl by Roxy Music to me. |
| Dahlia_Gumbo (San Francisco) | Posted: Mar 06, 2011 - 10:18 I like it. |
| rdo (DC) | Posted: Dec 18, 2010 - 10:28 westslope wrote: This song is still fresh because since it was penned, the cult of celebrity in the USA has grown.
Though some may argue that the cult of celebrity peaked with the two-time election of Ronald Reagan to the presidency of the USA. Opinion of someone who does not live in the USA  FACT |
| jools (Brighton UK) | Posted: Dec 02, 2010 - 04:38 Mawkish and nearly as bad as Candle in The wind. Bleah! |
| sirdroseph (Yes) | Posted: Dec 02, 2010 - 04:38 The Kinks in general suck ass IMO, but this one is alright. |
| Art_Carnage (DeepintheheartofTexas) | Posted: Nov 16, 2010 - 16:34 Not their best, by a long shot. Each rhyme lands with the thud of dropped sandbag. |
| farley (Bushey, UK) | Posted: Aug 13, 2010 - 05:26 more narrative genius for Ray, great tune Paradise :) |
| robbeek (the foothills above El Lay....) | Posted: Jul 27, 2010 - 21:00 God bless the Kinks for this one...and a few others as well.
Wait, it's skipping over dearest Marilyn! |
| RParadise (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY) | Posted: Jul 12, 2010 - 08:27 tfodden wrote: how come I'm still listening to Sufjan? Hannio wrote: I always ask myself that very question five seconds into s Sufjan song. That is hilarious! I like Sufjan, but come on. That's really funny. |
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