@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
'Cause he gets up in the morning
And he goes to work at nine
And he comes back home at five-thirty
Gets the same train every time
'Cause his world is built 'round punctuality
It never fails
And he's oh, so good
And he's oh, so fine
And he's oh, so healthy
In his body and his mind
He's a well respected man about town
Doing the best things so conservatively
And his mother goes to meetings
While his father pulls the maid
And she stirs the tea with councilors
While discussing foreign trade
And she passes looks, as well as bills
At every suave young man
'Cause he's oh, so good
And he's oh, so fine
And he's oh, so healthy
In his body and his mind
He's a well respected man about town
Doing the best things so conservatively
And he likes his own backyard
And he likes his fags the best
'Cause he's better than the rest
And his own sweat smells the best
And he hopes to grab his father's loot
When pater passes on
'Cause he's oh, so good
And he's oh, so fine
And he's oh, so healthy
In his body and his mind
He's a well respected man about town
Doing the best things so conservatively
And he plays the stocks and shares
And he goes to the regatta
He adores the girl next door
'Cause he's dying to get at her
But his mother knows the best about
The matrimonial stakes
'Cause he's oh, so good
And he's oh, so fine
And he's oh, so healthy
In his body and his mind
He's a well respected man about town
Doing the best things so conservatively
And he goes to work at nine
And he comes back home at five-thirty
Gets the same train every time
'Cause his world is built 'round punctuality
It never fails
And he's oh, so good
And he's oh, so fine
And he's oh, so healthy
In his body and his mind
He's a well respected man about town
Doing the best things so conservatively
And his mother goes to meetings
While his father pulls the maid
And she stirs the tea with councilors
While discussing foreign trade
And she passes looks, as well as bills
At every suave young man
'Cause he's oh, so good
And he's oh, so fine
And he's oh, so healthy
In his body and his mind
He's a well respected man about town
Doing the best things so conservatively
And he likes his own backyard
And he likes his fags the best
'Cause he's better than the rest
And his own sweat smells the best
And he hopes to grab his father's loot
When pater passes on
'Cause he's oh, so good
And he's oh, so fine
And he's oh, so healthy
In his body and his mind
He's a well respected man about town
Doing the best things so conservatively
And he plays the stocks and shares
And he goes to the regatta
He adores the girl next door
'Cause he's dying to get at her
But his mother knows the best about
The matrimonial stakes
'Cause he's oh, so good
And he's oh, so fine
And he's oh, so healthy
In his body and his mind
He's a well respected man about town
Doing the best things so conservatively
Lyrics submitted by magicnudiesuit
A Well Respected Man Lyrics as written by Ray Davies
Lyrics © BROADWAY MUSIC CORPORATION, Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song's referring to the bleak and repressed mono-tone lifestyle people of middle class england were expected abide by. The grey routine depicted "Cause he gets up in the morning, And he goes to work at nine, And he comes back home at five-thirty, Gets the same train every time. 'Cause his world is built 'round punctuality, It never fails." is sung and expressed in a way which is trying to put across that this simple structured lifestyle is the way a "respected" person should live. However beneath these words lies the sense that this is a somewhat empty life which is structured accordingly to society's view of how one should live, as oppossed to the individuals wishes. There is also a sinister darker tone created through the character's hypocritical and lustful desires which do not correspond to middle class attitude. "While his father pulls the maid... And he hopes to grab his father's loot... Cause he's dying to get at her" You get the impression that these are not particular happy or nice people, however the contradiction lies in the fact that this is the exact image they are trying to convey, that they are nice,happy "respected" people. A subtle tribute to the hypocrisy of a great britain bound by class divisions, these people are no happier or normal than lower class. In a word an amazing song, one of my fav :)
Another one of those Kinks brilliant biographical songs, It makes me vividly imagine the guy in the song going about his day. It was great in Juno as well.
You seem to know alot about this song. Maybeyou can help me with some of the words.<br />
Reminds me of Mothers Little Helper.... Just, sorta different. Hmm xoxo! LOVEit
"..was inspired by a visit to a hotel in Exeter where aristocratic guests invited him [Ray] to play golf with them - as he [Ray] said, 'I'm not going to be your caddy so you can say you played golf with a pop star.'" I've also heard that this song was inspired by The Kinks' manager. In my opinion, the song is about a man who is well respected in society, but really he shouldn't be as respected as he is. It's written to make the man sound dull. Brilliant song. ;)
i just heard this song on criminal minds. it's so catchy
Another one of those Kinks brilliant biographical songs, It makes me vividly imagine the guy in the song going about his day. It was great in Juno as well.
It's also a political statement: the social climbing, money-grubbing mediocrity of the WRM is specifically said to be conservative, but just make that Conservative and watch the meanings expand!
In such a very English song, I don't expect the word 'fine' with the standard American meaning. And I'm certain I can hear a -d at the end of it! He's oh, so good and he's oh, so kind. Which even rhymes with 'mind', proving my point. And another error: this one, if corrected, improves the humour. Not 'his own sweat', but 'his arm sweat smells the best'. Which is hilarious: one's own sweat can be anywhere, running down the forehead, wherever, but underarm sweat is famously smelly!
I am in love with this song. I loved the way it was used at the end of "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers"...it fits him almost eerily.
This song is a great song. It's a simple song, that is some how complex too, about a simple person, a well respected simple person, that probably shouldn't be as well respected as he is.
"And he hopes to grab his father's loot, When Pater passes on."
Muhaha! That’s kind of mean and un-respectful. Wouldn’t you agree?
"... And he adores the girl next door, 'Cause he's dying to get at her... And he's oh, so fine, And he's oh, so healthy, In his body and his mind."
I think that is magnificent.
A very English song, taking a stab at middle-class, bourgeois pretentiousness.
fun song to sing, and fun on the guitar.
This song always sorta reminds me of john lennon's "working class hero" because they are both insanely simple guitar with some cut-throat lyrics