Denmark Street

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

Down the way from the Tottenham Court Road

Just round the corner from old Soho

There's a place where the publishers go

If you don't know which way to go

Just open your ears and follow your nose

'Cos the street is shakin' from the tapping of toes

You can hear that music play anytime on any day

Every rhythm, every way

You got to a publisher and play him your song

He says 'I hate your music and you hair is too long

But I'll sign you up because I'd hate to be wrong'

You've got a tune it's in your head you want to get it placed

So you take it up to a music man just to see what he will say

He says 'I hate the tune, I hate the words but I'll tell you what I'll do

I'll sign you up and take it round the street and see if it makes the grade'

And you might even hear it played on the rock 'n' roll hit parade

Daytime, night time, every week you can hear that heavy beat

Now the walls are shaking from the tapping of feet

Daytime, night time, every day you can hear that music play

Every rhythm, every way

Denmark Street - The Kinks

Released in 1966, "Denmark Street" stands as a quintessential example of The Kinks' mid-sixties pop-rock sound, blending catchy melodies with the band's signature social commentary. Written by Ray Davies, the track captures the vibrant, slightly chaotic atmosphere of London's Denmark Street, serving as a precursor to their later, more reflective works. While often associated with the band's earlier, more upbeat era, the song showcases Davies' lyrical ability to paint a vivid picture of everyday life without resorting to heavy-handed criticism. It remains a staple of their discography, frequently appearing on greatest hits collections and cementing the group's legacy as one of Britain's most influential rock acts of the 1960s.