Art School Babe

The Kinks · Other Songs - The Kinks

My art school babe with your palette-knives and brushes,

Painted face, egyptian eye-brows and bright red lips

Pale white make-up, tight black skirts like juliette greco

And there's me quoting pretentious chat up lines

From marcel proust, jean cocteau and jean-paul sartre



Sitting by a gasfire in a drafty bedsit

The art school babe quotes william blake and she rolls a joint

And I think "oh oh, I've scored", start to make myself at home

But the room starts moving as she starts to get me stoned



I close my eyes and give in, the room goes in a spin

My lips are dry, I wander around with a ridiculous grin

I grovel on the floor, I think "yeah I think I can make her"

Then I wake up and realize I've been kissing the refrigerator



Art school chaps with creative grand illusions

My sketch pad at the ready, my eager charcoal in my hand

Boring the world for hours with political theories

Just to impress anyone who listens while my art school babe

Just puts another inch of make-up on her face



And she says to me:

"arty farty, you'll never fool your auntie

Who knew you when you picked your nose and wet your pants"

How did she know that?

Arty farty, I try to throw a party

To impress my peers I struck a creative stance



Art school cat, ah, I was really on a mission

I made my play for my art school babe

By humming jazz tunes with words by furlinghetti

I thought I was ever so cool,

But I was really such an obvious, pretentious, irritating little fool

For my art school babe

Art School Babe

Art School Babe stands as a vibrant example of The Kinks' ability to capture the nuances of British life through rock music. Released during a period of prolific output for the band, the track showcases Ray Davies' signature storytelling, painting a vivid portrait of a young woman navigating the cultural shifts of her time. The song's upbeat tempo and distinctive guitar work reflect the group's evolving sound, moving beyond their early hits to explore more character-driven narratives. As part of their extensive discography, this recording highlights the band's knack for blending social observation with catchy melodies. It remains a cherished piece for fans who appreciate the band's exploration of everyday figures and the specific atmosphere of 1960s England, solidifying its place within their celebrated body of work.