![14. 'Apeman' - a satirical play on hippy culture, tinged with steel drums and reggae off-beats, this Kinks track may be unashamedly silly, but it's certainly unavoidably catchy. Ray Davies also had to re-record a clearer version of the line]()
14. 'Apeman' - a satirical play on hippy culture, tinged with steel drums and reggae off-beats, this Kinks track may be unashamedly silly, but it's certainly unavoidably catchy. Ray Davies also had to re-record a clearer version of the line "a-foggin up my eyes" because it sounded a bit too rude.
![13. 'See My Friends' - Infusing Indian raga sounds four months before The Beatles had done with 'Norwegian Wood', this Kinks track is one of their more psychedelic numbers and provides a template for psychedelic rock to date.]()
13. 'See My Friends' - Infusing Indian raga sounds four months before The Beatles had done with 'Norwegian Wood', this Kinks track is one of their more psychedelic numbers and provides a template for psychedelic rock to date.
![12. 'Autumn Almanac' -The Kinks' whimsical side never detracted from the quality of their music and 'Autumn Almanac' is a perfect example of this. Ray Davies once claimed the song was inspired by a hunchback gardener; its joyful melodies and thrashing cymbals maybe reflective of the frivolous theme but it's pieced together perfectly to create a timeless Kinks classic.]()
12. 'Autumn Almanac' -The Kinks' whimsical side never detracted from the quality of their music and 'Autumn Almanac' is a perfect example of this. Ray Davies once claimed the song was inspired by a hunchback gardener; its joyful melodies and thrashing cymbals maybe reflective of the frivolous theme but it's pieced together perfectly to create a timeless Kinks classic.
![11. 'Celluloid Heroes' -The Kinks aren't necessarily best-known for producing pretty ballads, but 'Celluloid Heroes' is one that displays the diverse nature of Ray Davies' songwriting talent. Drawing inspiration from the film, Sunset Blvd, Davies lyrics reflect the vicious nature of Hollywood.]()
11. 'Celluloid Heroes' -The Kinks aren't necessarily best-known for producing pretty ballads, but 'Celluloid Heroes' is one that displays the diverse nature of Ray Davies' songwriting talent. Drawing inspiration from the film, Sunset Blvd, Davies lyrics reflect the vicious nature of Hollywood.
![10. 'A Well Respected Man' - targeting the upper and middle classes became a theme for The Kinks and 'A Well Respected Man' perhaps best embodies Ray Davies' discontent with the polished 9-5 gentleman. Above all else, it's inescapably catchy.]()
10. 'A Well Respected Man' - targeting the upper and middle classes became a theme for The Kinks and 'A Well Respected Man' perhaps best embodies Ray Davies' discontent with the polished 9-5 gentleman. Above all else, it's inescapably catchy.
![9. 'Where Have All The Good Times Gone' - although originally released as a B-side to 'Till The End Of The Day', this Kinks track has grown into one of their best. The Kinks' reflection of the older generation still resonates to this day and has since been covered by David Bowie, Van Halen and Supergrass.]()
9. 'Where Have All The Good Times Gone' - although originally released as a B-side to 'Till The End Of The Day', this Kinks track has grown into one of their best. The Kinks' reflection of the older generation still resonates to this day and has since been covered by David Bowie, Van Halen and Supergrass.
![8. 'The Village Green Preservation Society' - taken from their concept album of the same name, this Kinks number basks in British nostalgia. Village greens, country houses and draught beers are all contrasted with modernity and gentrification. It's a charmingly delightful song with a strong political undercurrent. An unforgettable classic.]()
8. 'The Village Green Preservation Society' - taken from their concept album of the same name, this Kinks number basks in British nostalgia. Village greens, country houses and draught beers are all contrasted with modernity and gentrification. It's a charmingly delightful song with a strong political undercurrent. An unforgettable classic.
![7. 'Tired Of Waiting For You' - the light guitar picking that sits above a thick and heavy second guitar part makes for a unique sound that only the Kinks get away with. It's a sad number reflecting a more mature and vulnerable side of The Kinks. An incredible sonic journey. Whilst it's a brief departure away from their usual style, it will always be one of their best.]()
7. 'Tired Of Waiting For You' - the light guitar picking that sits above a thick and heavy second guitar part makes for a unique sound that only the Kinks get away with. It's a sad number reflecting a more mature and vulnerable side of The Kinks. An incredible sonic journey. Whilst it's a brief departure away from their usual style, it will always be one of their best.
![6. 'Victoria' - a cynical and satirical reflection of Britain during the 19th century, The Kinks hold two fingers up to the late monarchy. 'Sex was bad and obscene/and the rich were so mean' is a great lyric - and the chorus will be bellowed back throughout the ages. Genius.]()
6. 'Victoria' - a cynical and satirical reflection of Britain during the 19th century, The Kinks hold two fingers up to the late monarchy. 'Sex was bad and obscene/and the rich were so mean' is a great lyric - and the chorus will be bellowed back throughout the ages. Genius.
![5. 'All Day And All Of The Night' - Following up from 'You Really Got Me', this classic cemented the Kinks as power-chord kings. The riff is instantly recognisable and Dave Davies' piercing guitar solo propels the track from high-octane into overdrive.]()
5. 'All Day And All Of The Night' - Following up from 'You Really Got Me', this classic cemented the Kinks as power-chord kings. The riff is instantly recognisable and Dave Davies' piercing guitar solo propels the track from high-octane into overdrive.
![4. 'Sunny Afternoon' - the high level of tax imposed by Harold Wilson inspired the Beatles to write 'Taxman' and forced the Stones to flee to France. The Kink's response was to write a no.1 classic with an iconic descending riff that would stand the test of time.]()
4. 'Sunny Afternoon' - the high level of tax imposed by Harold Wilson inspired the Beatles to write 'Taxman' and forced the Stones to flee to France. The Kink's response was to write a no.1 classic with an iconic descending riff that would stand the test of time.
![3. 'Waterloo Sunset' - 'Waterloo Sunset's simple melody and equally simple chorus makes for a busker's favourite. It's a neatly packaged song with a satirical commentary that remains prevalent today.]()
3. 'Waterloo Sunset' - 'Waterloo Sunset's simple melody and equally simple chorus makes for a busker's favourite. It's a neatly packaged song with a satirical commentary that remains prevalent today.
![2. 'You Really Got Me' - never has a two-chord riff ever been so iconic. It's raw, powerful and makes for the ultimate rock song. No one makes a love song sound as cool as the Kinks do here, making even the Beatles and the Stones seem like tame rockstars in comparison.]()
2. 'You Really Got Me' - never has a two-chord riff ever been so iconic. It's raw, powerful and makes for the ultimate rock song. No one makes a love song sound as cool as the Kinks do here, making even the Beatles and the Stones seem like tame rockstars in comparison.
![1. 'Lola' - perhaps one of the best songs of all time, 'Lola' ticks all the boxes of a perfect acoustic rock song: an instantly recognisable opening riff, smooth but sophisticated verses augmented by engagingly quirky lyrics, an anthemic chorus and silky electric guitar licks. An all round excellent song that raised the bar to unreachable lengths for most songwriters to date. It just feels like being embraced by an old friend.]()
1. 'Lola' - perhaps one of the best songs of all time, 'Lola' ticks all the boxes of a perfect acoustic rock song: an instantly recognisable opening riff, smooth but sophisticated verses augmented by engagingly quirky lyrics, an anthemic chorus and silky electric guitar licks. An all round excellent song that raised the bar to unreachable lengths for most songwriters to date. It just feels like being embraced by an old friend.