Song of the Day: Waterloo Sunset

Well, as it is summertime, there's going to be a little hiatus in posts for the next week or so. To tide you over, this is the "Song of the Day," the first in a collection of posts that will show up on occasion when my time is limited. My only criteria for the "song of the day": it must be special.

And 'special' (for lack of a better word) is exactly what "Waterloo Sunset" is. Written and produced by frontman Ray Davies (known for his narrative/observational songwriting), this song is one of the most popular and most acclaimed by the English band The Kinks. Hitting #2 on the UK charts after its release in May of '67, the lyrics describe a narrator observing two lovers passing over a bridge in London and includes landmarks like the River Thames and Waterloo Station (one of the busiest railway stations). It has since been voted the "Greatest Song About London," as well as the "Anthem of London" (and I always recall sweet memories of this fantastic city upon hearing this song). The recording sessions only took about ten hours to complete, which is impressive considering its complex arrangement and unique, tape-delay echo guitar sound played by Ray's brother, Dave (who is kind of a cutie when he's not wearing these gi-normous glasses; okay, and the beard). Anyhow, I just adore this song, and it's no wonder it's #42 on the list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Considered one of the most beautiful songs of the rock and roll era, here's "Waterloo Sunset." Enjoy.