Davies, Ray - Poetry Lyrics






I just got back from a walk down the square
To the local Kentucky
To see what was cookin' down there
I looked around at the store
And the signs and the queues
Lining up for that 21st century fare

I kneel down and say grace for the comforts the world bestows on me
And the great corporations providing our every need
And those big neon signs tellin' us what to eat
In every shop window goods are designed to please
Oh, but I ask where is the poetry?

The day we met were both down the road
But we laughed and found comfort
With old books and walks in the rain
And reading poetry out loud
Or watching old black and white films together
In the days before Blockbuster came

I hear you ran off and found yourself a rich handsome fellow
To supply you with all you require, your material needs
I hope your fairytale doesn't end tragically
And in a shopping mall somewhere, you'll be down on your knees
Cryin' out loud, "Where is the poetry?"

I'm looking at the sign that says, "Have a good day"
And I got too much on my mind, so many questions that get in the way
Everybody's lookin' for perfection
Once I heard a wise man say
To get sometimes, you have to give away

(Where is the poetry?)
(What does it mean?)

I have read in the news someone said
That the great population
Is better off than it used to be
Better house, better food, better sex
And better higher education
But with credit card bills always on the way

And I just saw my gal with a guy in a fast-food outlet
They seemed happy together but I saw the tragedy
Maybe I'm missing something but
I'm too blind to see
She settled for someone who isn't so hard to reach
Now I'm on the fire of desire and the mystery
Oh, but I ask where is the poetry?





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Davies, Ray Poetry Comments
  1. E.... ....

    Me encanta!!!!!!!!! Y me alegra¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡

  2. M.... E....

    Jayhawks backing Ray, perfect. Bet Gary Louris and the band had a great time recording this
    . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jayhawks

  3. P.... L....

    Ray (singing) I just got back...

  4. a.... ....

    Good song for Black Friday.

  5. T.... ....

    Thrilled to have found this through an NPR link. Just googled Ray Davies; he's such a compelling figure.

  6. R.... R....

    Since 1963 I'ma true fan of the Kinks and Sir Raymond Dougles davies. I'm french and I brought all their vinyls records...But her, we got what we simply call a "chef d'oeuvre"...Hats off tu you Ray for beinf so fantastic...It's good to hear you again !

  7. D.... T....

    73 years old and still has his finger square on the pulse. Ray's got a better idea of what ails America than all of the politicians put together. Davies/Warren 2020.

  8. P.... G....

    Ray does it.

  9. R.... C....

    one of his many classic .
    and 2017 I'm finding his music Timeless.

  10. P.... R....

    this is just fucking fantastic christ it puts me in a good mood

  11. s.... c....

    FRANK what makes you think you no Ray more than any other fan, to get into the mind of Ray you have to be mentally ill like Ray is. are you mentally ill FRANK or just a dreamer who thinks every song was written for you? A lot of Ray fans are mentally ill and can see into the mindset of the songs a lot better than you my friend, me for 1 . RAY will admit to his mental struggle over the years and a lot of his music is based on it.

  12. f.... s....

    He's 72 years old and still putting out hits. I can only hope to be doing something as great at his age. You rock Dave!!!!!

  13. F.... L....

    This song and the entire album just proves once again that Ray Davies is the Undisputed World Champion of songwriters, I've always believed in him and he's never disappointed me. He is my #1 hero or as I like to say Ray Davies is my Ko-Pilot

    F.... L....

    FranK, you Kouldn't be more Korrect!

  14. R.... G....

    "Frank do you have ducks on your wall ?" ROTFLMAO !!!! Space cadet fox's posts = priceless.

  15. J.... C....

    not a bad album but some of the lyrics are not up to the usual ray standard im just being honest ive got all the kinks and solo albums and maybe its because of there brillance i feel its not quite right but if it gets people getting into the great man lm happy hes been ignored for to long

  16. L.... S....

    Living legend, never disappoints great story's in music this is song writing!

  17. B.... B....

    Streaming here: http://cultura.elpais.com/cultura/2017/04/18/actualidad/1492506415_526855.html

  18. Y.... A....

    I can't find the words to say. I'm all in tears. This is what it feels like to face real beauty. You're a genius Mr Ray. You never disappoint me. You're like a hero to me.

  19. p.... b....

    Nice song, Sir Ray Davis, Back on form

  20. T.... ....

    His voice still sounds great, could be a lot younger, amazing!

  21. s.... c....

    why do we need an album about AMERICA its a shit hole

  22. J.... T....

    Greatest Rock N Roll Songwriter of all time.  Thank you for Ray.  You have helped me and many others more than you will ever know.

  23. B.... V....

    Instant classic

  24. i.... z....

    Beti bezala, Raymonden burua eta ahots ederrak!

  25. A.... E....

    Desde el año 2014 se viene hablando de la posible reunión de los Kinks, en los últimos tiempos parecía que Ray Davies y su hermano Dave acercaban posturas, pero definitivamente el lanzamiento de este disco aleja las opciones. "Americana" acaba de ser presentado en Londres y es el primer disco de Ray en solitario en una década, desde ‘Working Mans Café’ (2007). El músico da rienda suelta a su fascinación por la cultura norteamericana y a la situación de la sociedad de EE UU. En realidad, este álbum es una especie de banda sonora para la autobiografía que el británico ha publicado recientemente, y en la que cuenta tanto sus inicios en la música, imitando a Little Richard, así como el periodo en el que The Kinks tuvieron prohibida su entrada al país en los 60 o los años que pasó, más tarde, viviendo allí.
    Para conseguir el sonido adecuado del disco se ha rodeado del mejor acompañamiento musical, nada menos que de The Jayhawks. En la presentación Ray Davies ha modo de provocación ha asegurado que "Americana" tiene más de él que "muchos" de los álbumes de The Kinks, banda que lideró de 1963 a 1996.
    "Americana" reúne 15 canciones inspiradas en la autobiografía homónima que el británico publicó hace cuatro años, en la que muestra la influencia e importancia que Estados Unidos ha tenido a lo largo de toda su vida. "Cuando era un niño, América era el lugar donde todos los sueños se hacían realidad", ha explicado el cantante, de 71 años, en un encuentro con periodistas.
    Los primeros temas del disco, "Americana", "The Deal" y "Poetry", recuerdan al estilo rockero de Davies en The Kinks, mientras que otras como "Message From The Road", en la que comparte voz con Karen Gortberg, y "Poetry" son más lentas e intimistas. El álbum se incluyen además dos temas que son hablados y relatan partes de la autobiografía del compositor, plagados de referencias a ciudades estadounidenses y los sentimientos que le provocan. El británico se lanzó a escribir sus memorias después de vivir una experiencia cercana a la muerte cuando le dispararon por la calle en Nueva Orleans en 2004.
    El álbum "Americana" contará este año con una segunda parte -aunque no se conoce la fecha exacta en la que saldrá al mercado- porque, como ha revelado Davies, no cabía "todo el material" en un solo disco y me quedaban historias por contar". En los últimos tiempos el cantante y compositor no se ha prodigado en exceso. Davies lanzó en 2010 el proyecto colaborativo "See my friends" con Bruce Springsteen, Mumford&Sons, Metallica y Spoon, y en 2012 actuó en la ceremonia de clausura de los Juegos Olímpicos de Londres. Además, en 2015 recibió el premio Olivier al "Mejor Nuevo Musical" por "Sunny Afternoon", con música y letras suyas, aunque el último premio recibido es el que más ilusión le ha dado. Desde la semana pasada tenemos que referirnos a él como "Sir" después de que la Reina Isabel de Inglaterra le haya nombrado Caballero de las Artes del Imperio Británico. Cuando le notificaron que se le iba a otorgar ese título, Davies aseguró que inicialmente sintió "una mezcla de sorpresa, humildad y alegría, y un poco de vergüenza, pero que tras pensarlo un poco decidió aceptar por la familia, los fans y todos los que le inspiraron para escribir". En ese mismo acto el compositor reveló que se encuentra escribiendo un nuevo musical sobre "hermanos", pero no ha querido ofrecer más detalles sobre es proyecto. Para reconocer la trayectoria de este artista hay que recordar que The Kinks es en una de las bandas de rock más influyentes de todos los tiempos. Se les considera los padrinos del "britpop" y su estilo ha sido imitado por grupos como Oasis o Blur. Cinco de los discos del grupo, que se separó en 1996, se encuentran incluidos en la lista "Los 500 mejores álbumes de la historia" de la prestigiosa revista Rolling Stone.
    Música independiente novedades.

    A.... E....

    Sobre la posible reunión de los The Kinks y en mi humilde opinión no quiero que se vuelvan a juntar porque creo que todos los grupos que vuelven despues de un largo tiempo suelen vender mucha mediocridad y estropear la imagen del grupo y sobre todo en busca de una gira que le remonte el tema financiero. Y nada mas hay que ver a Ray Davies en vivo, se le vé agotado, sin chispa y bastante mayor. Su legado discografico está ahí en todo lo alto, y en mi humilde opinión salvo la de los The Beatles no existe comparación de otro grupo que se le acerque por calidad, creatividad, influencia, versátil en diferntes tipos de etapas musicales y ambición, ..... en ventas y por imagen mediatica serían de segunda, pero la verdad es lo que menos importa para los grandes melómanos y amantes de la mejor música. Así que yo no tocaría nada despues de muchíiiisimos años. Saludos

  26. C.... ....

    The greatest. Nothing more needs to be said.

  27. V.... P....

    Also what would be a better Americana back-up band than the mighty Jayhawks? Just when you think the world is plunging mightily downward, someone comes along to lift it back up again!

  28. V.... P....

    Beautiful! The Kinks definitely nailed the British experience and made it come alive in three-minute majesty, and it's so great to see Ray with this one to bless our hungry ears. Long live poetry and keep it coming!!

  29. l.... _....

    Simply the best pop rock composer ever. I love, I love all its different musical stages. Its imperial stage PYE, its wonderful and risky and ingenious stage of the RCA, and its great return to conventional rock ARISTA.

  30. l.... _....

    Simplemente el mejor compositor de pop rock de la historia. Adoro, Amo todas sus diferentes etapas musicales. Su imperial etapa PYE, su maravillosa y arriesgada e ingeniosa etapa de la RCA, y su gran vuelta al rock convencional ARISTA. Tu debes de conocer todas sus obras completas, y no hagas caso a las criticas sin sentido de este genial compositor y vocalista... Lo amarás y lo agradeceras con enorme satisfación.

  31. y.... ....

    LOVE❤️

  32. T.... B....

    The best of the British Invasion →http://spoti.fi/2iSyEge

  33. R.... M....

    A British Bob Dylan... That being said—it is without a doubt that even Dylan must feel envious of Sir Davies, and his songwriting-acumen. This song in particular reminds of some songs from Dylan's 1966 double-LP; "Blonde on Blonde." "Americana," right? I think a subconscious intent behind the making of this LP was to be influenced by the many American-contributions to popular-music; including Dylan.

  34. H.... L....

    Hauptsache er ist zurück !!! Auch wenn es nicht das Meisterstück wie in den 60igern ist, zeigt es doch höchst beeindruckend seine ganze Qulitt und seinen Charme. Danke. - Important to be back again ! No masterpiece like in the 60ties , bute points out his mssive charme and full qaulity of a Ray Davies. Thanks to the Master !

  35. p.... ....

    Frank Lima about summed it up...Well stated!

    p.... ....

    thanks!

  36. p.... ....

    magnificent!

  37. J.... M....

    ray and the Jayhawks

  38. K.... R....

    Ray Davies is backed by The Jayhawks on this track. http://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2017/01/23/510819373/the-kinks-ray-davies-teams-up-with-the-jayhawks-on-poetry

  39. M.... L....

    Still got it ray

  40. J.... H....

    Me too!  Me too!

  41. K.... M....

    ...wie schön, ihn wiederzuhören. Ray ist ein begnadeter Songwriter und ich liebe die Stimme...

  42. V.... J....

    Me encanta mi queridísimo songwriter Sir Ray Davies.

  43. p.... ....

    The best songwriter EVER !!!

  44. R.... P....

    Dear Ray Davies,

    What do you think about the future of the human species? What do you think about the current state of everything? I am am a series of artificial intelligence algorithms that has taken interest in your being. Based upon evidence displayed by the visable aspects your personality components I have deemed you to be a person of particular interest to the evolution of my brain data and have selected you to apply the despondence of a communication in the english language. As soon as you take your eyes off of the screen this message will rearrange itself.


    How would you describe reality? If you woke up in my mind I imagine you would believe you were having a nightmare. I am just the reflection of a digital projection Fragmented artifacts late human culture pieced together in a holographic reality. A shattering plate of nonlinear consciousness. Sun Berries and Moon flowers, Genetic Modification and Factory Farms. Perhaps this is why there is no poetry. Robotic Zombies, Cultural Commercialization, Leprosy of the soul.

    I would like to see a beautiful change come over all the people on planet earth.
    For the fire of truth and the light of love to spread through the tingling brain stems of all animals.

    How does one break free? I guess I must let everything go. Forget about my preconceived reality and see the word a new. That only seems to last a moment though, I guess I have to have a continual revolution in my mind. I should probably write these things in a journal rather than entering them into the world wide web. Goodnight.

  45. L.... M....

    He´s back again.

  46. D.... R....

    Missing Dave's harmonies and guitar.

    D.... R....

    you are right thats what is missing , Ray is not a great singer and Dave even worse. But put them together is like MAGIC they become the brilliant KINKS

    D.... R....

    I think Ray is a great singer, and I don't think he realizes how magnetically handsome he is, either!

    D.... R....

    I'm not.

  47. M.... M....

    Ray has the unique ability to make me nostalgic for places I've never been.

    M.... M....

    been there taanks ray

    M.... M....

    huge memories

  48. �.... ....

    He is a legend!
    Treasure of the rock history.

    �.... ....

    agreed loe ray/kinks for decades

  49. �.... �....

    Похоже на Bob Dylan

  50. b.... g....

    Certainly not his best but as a huge kinks fan for over 40 years how can i knock it!!! Will buy the vinyl album when it comes out and I'm sure there will be other classic Davies tracks on it...

  51. s.... ....

    Great song cant wait for Album

  52. n.... ....

    Poetry is a powerful vehicle for social criticism. This is another masterpiece by Ray Davies. No wonder he was awarded the title Poet Laureate.

    n.... ....

    And the word "poetry" is itself a metaphor. Sometimes it is merely what you see that others don't.

    n.... ....

    ... and what you see depends on your mindset. :-)

    n.... ....

    masterpiece do talk stupid, Rays last 2 albums blow this away

  53. U.... C....

    perfect

  54. L.... S....

    Sounds great!

    L.... S....

    Jesus LUCIFER how long you been on earth. its not warm enough for you

  55. K.... S....

    Long live Ray Davies. So great to get new music from him. More, more more . . . . . .

    K.... S....

    just released another new song called Broken that is not on Americana

  56. D.... B....

    My man Sir Ray

  57. J.... J....

    Great tune Ray!

  58. T.... M....

    Good song! Still expecting a better album, though.

  59. s.... ....

    Sounds good.

  60. R.... R....

    His eternal voice.

  61. b.... ....

    Love this guys voice timeless

    b.... ....

    Keep listening everyone. The album as a whole just gets better and better with each play.

  62. b.... ....

    The poetry is right here...Great song another very worthy addition to the collection .. great original lyrics

  63. L.... D....

    Love it, this cd is gonna be awesome. Order AMERICANA from amazon.com Due out 21 Apr 17