Salvation Road
The Kinks · Preservation Act 2 [1974]
Hear me brothers, hear me sisters,
Citizens and comrades hear my song.
The old life's dead the order's changing
It's time for all of us to move along.
Got no time to live a life
With old worn-out traditions
Swallowed my pride,
Changed my ways,
And found a new religion.
There you go.
Sick and tired of living on loans,
Driving around in a car that I don't own.
Tired of looking at wealthy faces
Flying off to far out places.
The workers of the world
Shall give the profits to the people.
Class will disappear
And we will live our lives as equals.
There you go.
And we'll all walk along
And we'll all sing a song
And we'll all mark time as we go.
Yes, we'll all walk along
And we'll all sing a song
As we walk down Salvation Road.
Goodbye youth, goodbye dreams,
The good times and the friends I used to know.
Goodbye freedom, hello fear,
A brave new world has suddenly appeared.
Got to be hard,
Don't look back
And no more reminiscing.
Times are rough,
We've got to be tough,
And concentrate on living.
There you go.
And we'll all join hands,
And we'll all march along
And we'll all mark time as we go.
Yes, we'll all walk along,
And we'll sing a song,
As we walk down Salvation Road.
We'll all walk along
And we'll all sing a song
And we'll all mark time as we go.
Yes, we'll all walk along
And we'll all sing a song
As we walk down Salvation Road
Salvation Road
Salvation Road stands as a defining track from The Kinks' ambitious 1974 rock opera, Preservation Act 2. During this era, Ray Davies crafted complex narratives exploring social decay and personal redemption, moving away from the band's earlier pop sensibilities. The song captures the band's signature blend of melodic rock and theatrical storytelling, showcasing Davies' ability to weave intricate character studies into accessible music. As part of the Preservation saga, the recording highlights the group's continued experimentation with orchestral arrangements and conceptual depth. This work remains a testament to The Kinks' enduring influence on British rock, demonstrating their capacity to evolve while maintaining a distinct sonic identity throughout their extensive discography.

