Muswell Hillbilly

The Kinks · Waterloo Sunset - The Best Of [2012]

Well I said goodbye to Rosie Rooke this morning,

I'm gonna miss her bloodshot alcoholic eyes,

She wore her Sunday hat so she'd impress me,

I'm gonna carry her memory 'til the day I die.



They'll move me up to Muswell Hill tomorrow,

Photographs and souvenirs are all I've got,

They're gonna try and make me change my way of living,

But they'll never make me something that I'm not.



Cos I'm a Muswell Hillbilly boy,

But my heart lies in old West Virginia,

Never seen New Orleans, Oklahoma, Tennessee,

Still I dream of the Black Hills that I ain't never seen.



They're putting us in little boxes,

No character just uniformity,

They're trying to build a computerised community,

But they'll never make a zombie out of me.



They'll try and make me study elocution,

Because they say my accent isn't right,

They can clear the slums as part of their solution,

But they're never gonna kill my cockney pride.



Cos I'm a Muswell Hillbilly boy,

But my heart lies in Old West Virginia,

Though my hills, they're not green,

I've seen them in my dreams,

Take me back to those Black Hills,

That I ain't never seen.



Well I'm a Muswell Hillbilly boy,

But my heart lies in Old West Virginia,

Though my hills, they're not green,

I've seen them in my dreams,

Take me back to those Black Hills,

That I ain't never seen.

Muswell Hillbilly

Released on The Kinks' 2012 greatest hits album, "Muswell Hillbilly" stands as a quintessential example of Ray Davies' signature blend of social observation and musical wit. The track captures the essence of 1960s London life, specifically the working-class neighborhoods of Muswell Hill, through a catchy, upbeat melody that contrasts sharply with the often melancholic or satirical tone of Davies' lyrics. As part of The Kinks' extensive discography, the song exemplifies the band's ability to fuse traditional pop structures with sharp, character-driven storytelling. Its enduring popularity highlights the group's influence on British rock and their commitment to portraying the everyday struggles and triumphs of their community. The recording remains a staple of their catalog, showcasing the band's mastery of rhythm and their unique voice in the landscape of 1960s music.