"Heart of Gold" is a song by the British rock band The Kinks. Written by Ray Davies, the song appeared on the band's 1983 album State of Confusion.
| "Heart of Gold" | |
|---|---|
| Song by The Kinks | |
| from the album State of Confusion | |
| Released | 10 June 1983 |
| Recorded | January 1983 at Konk Studios, London |
| Genre | Rock |
| Length | 4:02 |
| Label | Arista |
| Songwriter(s) | Ray Davies |
| Producer(s) | Ray Davies |
Background
edit"Heart of Gold" is an acoustic ballad in half-time.[1][2] Music critic John Mendelsohn describes it as being country music-ish.[2] Musician magazine finds the guitar work reminiscent of the Kinks earlier album Muswell Hillbillies.[3] It was, according to Ray Davies, written about the birth of his and Pretenders front woman Chrissie Hynde's daughter, Natalie, in 1983.[1][4][5] According to Davies, it was also inspired by a comment by Anne, Princess Royal in which she told intrusive photographers to "naff off."[1][3][5] Davies has stated that "I wrote about it imagining I was a photographer, but really it was about Chrissie having her first baby. Both she and Princess Anne seem to be quite anonymous people at times."[1] However, Mendelsohn does not find the claim that the song was inspired by Princess Anne to be very credible.[2] Musician describes the song's protagonist as being "tough but tender."[3] Mendelsohn describes her as having "an abrasive exterior and a new baby daughter."[2] The song was recorded in early 1983, at the same time as "Young Conservatives" (which precedes the song in State of Confusion's running order).[4]
Release and reception
edit"Heart of Gold" was first released as the ninth track on State of Confusion (eighth on non-cassette versions of the album.) It has since appeared on compilation albums such as Come Dancing with The Kinks[6] and Picture Book,[7] as well as the box set The Arista Years.
The song was cited as a highlight from State of Confusion by AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine, who also described it as "charming."[8][6] Musician also found it to be one of the "best moments" from the album.[3] Music critic John Mendelsohn claimed that "in a better world, 'Heart of Gold'...would have been an even bigger hit than 'Come Dancing.'"[2] Mendelsohn particularly praised the "bright acoustic guitars and grin-inducing Davies brothers harmonies on the choruses."[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Rogan, Johnny (1998). The Complete Guide to the Music of the Kinks. Omnibus Press. p. 139. ISBN 0711963142.
- ^ a b c d e f Mendelsohn, John (1985). The Kings Kronikles. University of California. p. 196. ISBN 9780688029838.
- ^ a b c d Musician, Issues 57-67. Amordian Press. 1983. pp. 63–6489.
- ^ a b Hinman, Doug. All Day and All of the Night. p. 262.
- ^ a b Schragis, Steven (August 1987). "Love Was a Many Splendored Thing". Spy. p. 20. Retrieved 2015-03-24.
- ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Come Dancing with the Kinks: The Best of the Kinks 1977-1986 [1986 CD Version]". Allmusic. Retrieved 2015-03-24.
- ^ Jovanovic, R. (2013). God Save The Kinks: A Biography. Aurum Press. ISBN 9781781311370.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Kinks: State of Confusion > Review" at AllMusic. Retrieved 24 November 2011.