Monica (song)

"Monica"
album track by The Kinks from the album The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society
Released 22 November 1968
Recorded Spring 1968[1]
Genre Folk rock, calypso
Length 2:13
Label Pye (UK),
Reprise (US),
Sanctuary (2004 Reissue)
Writer(s) Ray Davies
Producer(s) Ray Davies
The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society track listing

"Monica" is a song by English rock band The Kinks, appearing on their 1968 album The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society. The song was written by the band's main songwriter, Ray Davies.

Lyrics and music

In the lyrics of "Monica", the singer praises his love Monica, the village prostitute. He says that he "shall die" without Monica, and that "people may try, but they can't buy Monica, [his] love." Ray Davies said of the song, "I like the way I did 'Monica.' I didn't actually say she was a prostitute .... if you say somebody is a prostitute or a hooker you're restricted."[1]

"Monica" has a calypso style, one that had previously appeared in songs such as "I'm on an Island" from The Kink Kontroversy and their 1970s singles "Apeman" and "Supersonic Rocket Ship".

BBC versions

"Monica" was recorded for the BBC twice (on July 1 and July 9 of 1968), despite its suggestive lyrics.[1] "It's about a prostitute and the BBC has played it," Ray Davies said to Melody Maker around the time of The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society.[1] The key differences between the studio version and these performances is a non-fadeout ending and a bass fluff by Pete Quaife.[1] The second performance was released on the album BBC Sessions 1964-1977.

Release and reception

From the beginning, Ray Davies was insistent in adding "Monica" to The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society, as the song appeared in both the 12-track and 15-track versions of The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society as well as the intended but scrapped U.S. album Four More Respected Gentlemen. It was not released as a single.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Miller, Andy. Kinks' The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society.
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