This is a repost from a couple of years ago. This is not the only Kinks song that has been an earworm for me but it is one that I enjoy very much, so I don’t mind if it stays with me. The rest of the post is intact.
I’ve gotten into the habit of listening to music while playing solitaire games on the computer like I used to do when I did my daily coloring. It’s an easy and safe way to unwind. The other night I was listening to, “The Best of the Kinks: 1964-1971” and when this song started playing it pulled me out of my zombie-like concentration. Why haven’t I noticed what a swell song this is before. I know that The Kinks have so many good ones to choose from; this one must have gotten lost in their jumble. It’s just about perfect. Nay, it is perfect.
From wikipedia:
“Wonderboy” is a pop song, written by Ray Davies and recorded by the Kinks in 1968. It was released in April 68 in the UK and May 1968 in the US as a B side to “Polly.” It stalled at number 36 in the UK charts, becoming the band’s first single not to make the UK Top Twenty since their early covers.
Despite this, it became a favorite of John Lennon of The Beatles, and, according to Ray Davies in his autobiography, X-Ray, “someone had seen John Lennon in a club and he kept on asking the disc jockey to play ‘Wonder Boy’ [sic] over and over again.“
Kinks guitarist Dave Davies praised the song, saying, “‘Wonderboy’ was a big one for us although it wasn’t a hit. That was one song we really felt something for.“
However, bassist Peter Quaife’s opinion towards the track was low, later stating that “[I] hated it … it was horrible.” [No accounting for taste!]
It peaked at number six in The Netherlands. “Wonderboy” was also released as a single in the US but failed to chart. It was one of several US non-LP singles tracks that made its album debut on the US-only released compilation The Kink Kronikles.
The single made its first time stereo appearance on the Golden Hour budget series “Golden Hour Of The Kinks”, with Ray’s lead vocal buried in the mix. The few subsequent reissues of the stereo mix (on the 3-CD “Village Green Preservation Society” set) continues to use this unusual mix.
The line “I see you and you see me” was borrowed by Oasis in their song “She’s Electric”, the delivery is very similar to the Kinks original.
I couldn’t help but post this live version as it delighted me so:
Wonderboy
La-la-la-la…
Wonder boy, life’s just begun.
Turn your sorrow into wonder
Dream alone, don’t sigh, don’t groan
Life is only what you wonder.
Day is as light as your brightest dreams,
Night is as dark as you feel it ought to be.
Time is as fast as the slowest thing,
Life is only…
Wonder boy,
Wonder boy.
Everybody is looking for the sun.
People strain their eyes to see,
But i see you and you see me,
And ain’t that wonder?
Wonder boy, some mother’s son,
Life is full of work and plunder[?].
Easy go, life is not real,
Life is only what you conjure.
Wonder boy,
And the world is joy, every single day.
It’s the real McCoy,
Wonder boy.
Everybody is looking for the sun.
People strain their eyes to see,
But i see you and you see me,
And ain’t that wonder?
Wonder boy, some mother’s son,
Turn your sorrow into wonder
Dream alone, go have your fun.
Life is only…
Life is only…
Life is only…
Songwriter: Raymond Douglas Davies
Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday. This week Jim wants us to find a song that gets stuck in (y)our head.
Tao Talk 
Oh this is a cool song! I enjoyed this one Li :D
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CA, it’s a good’n.
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Hi Lisa I have to say I’ve not heard this before- the Kinks were a great band and the lyrics are really good here – thanks for introducing it to me 💕
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Ange, so happy to have introduced this wonderful song to you.
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🙏♥️
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What a great song to carry with you! I’ve never heard this one before so thanks for the intro!
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V, you are very welcome, and yes, it’s a good’n.
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Talk about a blast from the past! One of my favourite bands growing up in the Sixties – a great time for music.
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Clive The Kinks are in my Top 10 of all time bands. There is something about them that get me and get to me.
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I’ve always been a fan, since their early days of blasting the charts!
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Clive, I remember hearing some of their hits on the radio, but I think where you’re at they were able to fully shine. They are high on my list of GREAT bands.
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They were huge here. I had a couple of budget label compilations which had all of their big hits on them. Played them to bits!
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I have “The Best Of from 64-71” and The Kink Kronicles. Those work well for me.
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Well, that is different! Never heard it before. Reminds me of circus music for some reason! Makes for smiling along with it. :)
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Barbara, I think so also about the circus music. Happy that it makes you smile :)
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I had forgotten about this one and can see why John Lennon liked it. He could have written it himself. I can’t see how this stayed with you Li. It’s a gentle song with a calming beat. Nice! 🥰
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Christine, I’m glad you know it. Yes it does have a calming beat :)
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Not a song I know well. I think I say this evey time you post a Kinks song, but here goes again. As much as fan as I think I am, I don’t give them their proper due. So I think today is a great day to get the ‘Kinks’ out!
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Randy, I’m geeked that you have been inspired to get the Kinks out :)
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Such a great song ❤️
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Nice choice, Lisa and it is those la, la, las that get stuck in your head. I have seen posts on the internet where people refer to Marco Rubio as wonder boy.
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Thanks, Jim, and yes, the “circus” la las dig in deep. Rubio is a boy alright, but not so much wonder. Maybe you know more about him than I do as he’s from your neck of the woods?
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He is just another Republican that enjoys kissing Trump’s ass.
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He looks like an unsmiling Ken doll. Plastic!
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Unmistakably Kinks. I can see both Davies’ and Quaife’s points. That’s the thing about an earworm. It can be great and/or it can drive you nuts.
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Steve, it’s playing in my head right now and I feel fine. I imagine it could drive someone nuts that has to play it at every performance for sure.
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Love the Kinks! Great choice, Lisa.
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Thanks, Nancy, glad you love them :)
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Welcome, Li. We always tried to catch their NY concerts back in the 70s.
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<3
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New to me. I can see how it could get stuck in your head. Great choice.
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Marina, thanks :)
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oh! Lisa this is so wonderful… I love the kinks! Especially these unusual ones! I love the tune and the lyrics so much.
When youngest son graduated from the ACM The guest of honour was Ray Davis… Hubby and I were more enthusiastic than our son 💜💜😂
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Willow, I’m so happy you like it and that it brings back that wonderful memory for you. Cannot imagine how thrilling that must have been <3
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Its a great song with lots of memories some much older than our lads graduation.
It was a thrill to see Ray Davis telling all the bright eyed newly graduated students listening to his wisdom.💜💜
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<3 <3 <3
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Those LA..LA’s make it an ear worm :)
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Totally agree, Glyn. Watching the live video and seeing the rest of the band having to sing those, no wonder the bassist hated the song lol. I love the tenderness in Ray’s voice in this one. It gets me every time.
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So many Kinks songs are overlooked and this is one of them. A great song by one of the greatest bands…it does stick in my head I have to admit! I’ve always liked this one.
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Agreed, Max. When they got banned/banished from the U.S. it hurt them.
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Yes it did…and it’s sad because they should have been up there with the other three.
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That’s a delightful track, Lisa. Definitely one that could stick in the head!
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I’m living proof that it does. Another one by The Kinks, written by Dave, “The Death of a Clown,” is another tasty earworm (yuk it sound icky like that, lol!)
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LOL, I think I get what you mean! Not sure I know that other one, will have to give it a listen tomorrow.
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Thank you very much for sending the link. I don’t know much of The Kinks, other than ‘Low Budget’ which came out later in my record-buying heyday. I didn’t really take to that one. My older bros were more up on their earlier stuff.
So this has a different sound from what I’d become familiar with, and I like it! Thanks again.
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Steve, you are welcome on the link. I see Wonderboy and Death of a … linked musicially and had forgotten the latter also had la-las. I was never really into them, but read a few blogposts on them and found one of their best of CDs at the library, borrowed it, and burned it. I also bought used The Kink Kronicles at discogs. Another group I’m coming late to aside from their US radio hits. Glad you like this one and glad to see Dave see the spotlight with it.
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It’s great to make those musical discoveries, finding gems along the way.
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I can see why John Lennon would love it. (K)
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:::smiling:::
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Great pick, Lisa. The Kinks wrote many memorable songs. Believe it or not, I don’t believe I had heard “Wonderboy” before!
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Thanks, Christian. Glad you’ve heard it now :)
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Never heard this one but it’s excellent – sounds like the Village Green era. British bands are annoying with their non-album tracks…
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Graham, I agree. You know more about that non-album tracks than me. I think The Beatles had that annoying habit also? Maybe what “best of” albums are for? I know Pearl Jam and Cake both have “oddities” albums that are
excellent (Lost Dogs for PJ and B-sides and Rarities for Cake.)
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Sometimes there are b-sides albums. Oasis, The Jam, The Smiths, The Clash, The Cure, and The Pet Shop Boys are other British bands where lots of their best-loved work is on b-sides.
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Good to know :)
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