The Kinks: Waterloo Sunset and Village Green Preservation Society (1972)

An amazing live performance of two brilliant, wistful songs. Ray Davies has the greatest romantic heart in the history of rock music. The horns on Village Green Preservation Society are a nice touch.

Waterloo Sunset

Dirty old river
must you keep rolling,
flowing into the night
People so busy
make me feel dizzy
taxi light shines so bright.

But I don’t feel afraid
as long as I gaze at Waterloo Sunset
I am in Paradise
Every day I look at the world from my window
chilly, chilly is the evening time
Waterloo Sunset’s fine

Terry meets July
Waterloo Station
every friday night
But I’am so lazy
don’t want to wonder
I stay at home at night

But I don’t feel afraid
as long as I gaze at
Waterloo Sunset
I am in Paradise
Every day I look at the world from my window
chilly, chilly is the evening time
Waterloo sunset’s fine

Millions of peopleswarming like flies round
Waterloo Underground
but Terry and July
crossover the river
where they feel save and sound

And they don’t feel afraid
as long as they gaze at
Waterloo Sunset
they are in Paradise

Waterloo Sunset’s fine

The Village Green Preservation Society

We are the Village Green Preservation Society
God save Donald Duck, Vaudeville and Variety
We are the Desperate Dan Appreciation Society
God save strawberry jam and all the different varieties

Preserving the old ways from being abused
Protecting the new ways for me and for you
What more can we do

We are the Draught Beer Preservation Society
God save Mrs. Mopp and good Old Mother Riley
We are the Custard Pie Appreciation Consortium
God save the George Cross and all those who were awarded them
We are the Sherlock Holmes English Speaking Vernacular
Help save Fu Manchu, Moriarty and Dracula

We are the Office Block Persecution Affinity
God save little shops, china cups and virginity
We are the Skyscraper condemnation Affiliate
God save tudor houses, antique tables and billiards

Preserving the old ways from being abused
Protecting the new ways for me and for you
What more can we do