Arthur (or The Decline and Fall of the British Empire)

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Arthur (or The Decline and Fall of the British Empire) · In early 1969 the British television company Granada asked Ray Davies to make something for television. Together with writer Julian Mitchell he devised a play, with a soundtrack by the Kinks. The play never materialised, but the record did. The story is about Arthur Morgan, a carpet layer, who is based on the brother-in-law of the Davies brothers.

The band made the album at a difficult time. Their previous record, The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society, had failed commercially and bassist Pete Quaife had left. John Dalton took his place. Recording ran from 1 May 1969 and was largely finished by the end of that month. Arranger Lew Warburton wrote the strings. The album was released on 10 October 1969. It sold poorly but received almost unanimous praise, especially from the American music press. Victoria brought the band back into the American charts after two years.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Victoria3:41Apple Music ↗
2. 2Yes Sir, No Sir3:49Apple Music ↗
3. 3Some Mother's Son3:28Apple Music ↗
4. 4Drivin'3:22Apple Music ↗
5. 5Brainwashed2:36Apple Music ↗
6. 6Australia6:47Apple Music ↗
7. 7Shangri-La5:24Apple Music ↗
8. 8Mr. Churchill Says4:42Apple Music ↗
9. 9She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina3:08Apple Music ↗
10. 10Young and Innocent Days3:21Apple Music ↗
11. 11Nothing to Say3:12Apple Music ↗
12. 12Arthur5:26Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

See also

• The Kinks