Locator: 48731TAXMAN.
A reader sent me a note regarding taxes.
For that reader: link here.
Having just paid my taxes for calendar year 2024, the reader's note could not have come at a better time.
Personally I don't care for the Beatles' "Tax Man."
On the other hand I love the Kinks version:
I think after a nightcap I could reminisce about my years in England, particularly the time spent along the Scottish border. It's funny. I met two of my best friends ever in northern England. After I left England, I lost all track of both of them. Sad. Probably best that I don't have a nightcap tonight. LOL.
From ChatGPT:
The Kinks, one of the most influential British rock bands of the 1960s and beyond, have a rich catalog of music spanning multiple styles and eras. Here are some of their best and most beloved songs, covering both commercial hits and critically acclaimed deep cuts:
Most Popular & Iconic Songs:
1. “You Really Got Me” (1964): raw, distorted guitar riff that laid the groundwork for hard rock and punk.
2. “All Day and All of the Night” (1964): a powerful follow-up to “You Really Got Me,” with a similar proto-metal sound.
3. “Waterloo Sunset” (1967): a beautifully melodic and nostalgic ballad; often considered their masterpiece.
4. “Sunny Afternoon” (1966): a satirical take on wealth and leisure, with a laid-back vibe.
5. “Lola” (1970): a witty and catchy song about an ambiguous romantic encounter.
6. “Tired of Waiting for You” (1965): combines pop sensibilities with melancholy and longing.
7. “Victoria” (1969): a rousing, ironic anthem from the concept album Arthur.
Critically Acclaimed Deep Cuts:
1. “Shangri-La” (1969): a powerful, cinematic critique of suburban life.
2. “Big Sky” (1968): reflective and existential, from The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society.
3. “The Village Green Preservation Society” (1968): a quirky ode to British tradition and nostalgia.
4. “David Watts” (1967): satirical and sharply observed, with a tight, rhythmic drive.
5. “Death of a Clown” (1967): amoody, circus-inspired tune sung by Dave Davies.
Why They’re Important:
- The Kinks were masters of satire, storytelling, and British cultural critique.
- Ray Davies’ songwriting evolved from aggressive garage rock to introspective and theatrical songwriting.
- their 1968 album The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society is now considered one of the greatest albums of all time despite its initial commercial failure.
If you’re just getting into The Kinks, a great starting point would be their compilation albums like “The Kinks Kronikles” or “The Ultimate Collection.”
What separates the Beatles from all the rest?
All the rest had one album's worth of songs that could compete with whatever the Beatles could produce. But that was it. "All the rest" had just one album's worth of such songs. The Beatles had a dozen albums' worth of songs.
