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Shangri-La Lyrics
Now that you’ve found your paradise
This is your kingdom to command
You can go outside and polish your car
Or sit by the fire in your Shangri-la
Here is your reward for working so hard
Gone are the lavatories in the back yard
Gone are the days when you dreamed of that car
You just want to sit in your Shangri-la
Put on your slippers and sit by the fire
You’ve reached your top and you just can’t get any higher
You’re in your place and you know where you are
In your Shangri-la
Sit back in your old rocking chair
You need not worry, you need not care
You can’t go anywhere
Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la
The little man who gets the train
Got a mortgage hanging over his head
But he’s too scared to complain
Cause he’s conditioned that way
Time goes by and he pays off his debts
Got a TV set and a radio
For seven shillings a week
Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la
And all the houses in the street have got a name
Cause all the houses in the street they look the same
Same chimney pots, same little cars, same window panes
The neighbors call to tell you things that you should know
They say their lines, they drink their tea, and then they go
They tell your business in another Shangri-la
The gas bills and the water rates, and payments on the car
Too scared to think about how insecure you are
Life ain’t so happy in your little Shangri-la
Shangri-la, Shangri-la la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Put on your slippers and sit by the fire
You’ve reached your top and you just can’t get any higher
You’re in your place and you know where you are
In your Shangri-la
Sit back in your old rocking chair
You need not worry, you need not care
You can’t go anywhere
Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la
This is your kingdom to command
You can go outside and polish your car
Or sit by the fire in your Shangri-la
Here is your reward for working so hard
Gone are the lavatories in the back yard
Gone are the days when you dreamed of that car
You just want to sit in your Shangri-la
You’ve reached your top and you just can’t get any higher
You’re in your place and you know where you are
In your Shangri-la
Sit back in your old rocking chair
You need not worry, you need not care
You can’t go anywhere
Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la
Got a mortgage hanging over his head
But he’s too scared to complain
Cause he’s conditioned that way
Time goes by and he pays off his debts
Got a TV set and a radio
For seven shillings a week
Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la
Cause all the houses in the street they look the same
Same chimney pots, same little cars, same window panes
The neighbors call to tell you things that you should know
They say their lines, they drink their tea, and then they go
They tell your business in another Shangri-la
The gas bills and the water rates, and payments on the car
Too scared to think about how insecure you are
Life ain’t so happy in your little Shangri-la
Shangri-la, Shangri-la la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
You’ve reached your top and you just can’t get any higher
You’re in your place and you know where you are
In your Shangri-la
Sit back in your old rocking chair
You need not worry, you need not care
You can’t go anywhere
Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la
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"The song describes a man named Arthur, the title character from the album. Arthur lives in a house which is called, somewhat sarcastically, a Shangri-La. In the beginning of the song, the Shangri-La appears to be a true paradise but, as the song continues, it becomes clear that Arthur's house is as much of a prison as it is a haven."
Dave Davies said this was his favourite song written by Ray. I almost agree, it's an amazingly written song.
Great song with great climax. I don't think it would be fair to compare it with Stairway because they're both totally different and the themes are totally different. It seems like Ray wrote a lot of songs about the mediocrity of middle class, and it's so true. I love the song.
"The song describes a man named Arthur, the title character from the album. Arthur lives in a house which is called, somewhat sarcastically, a Shangri-La. In the beginning of the song, the Shangri-La appears to be a true paradise but, as the song continues, it becomes clear that Arthur's house is as much of a prison as it is a haven."
Dave Davies said this was his favourite song written by Ray. I almost agree, it's an amazingly written song.
"And all the houses in the street have got a name Cause all the houses in the street they look the same"
Genius!!!!!! I wish Ray Davies got the credit he deserves. Probably the best lyricist of his generation or any generation after that...
This is such a powerful song, I've heard it compared to Stairway to Heaven because of it's intensity. I think this song is mocking the attitude that living in a housing complex where everything is the same and life is so easy is the highesIt acheivement we can make. I don't like the voice when he sings about all the houses having the same name and the other stuff, but that whole stanza has so much meaning. This is one of their best.
It is not "Saint Jimmy", it says "Same chimney".
What a song. Yeah its kinda being sarcastic. People are just happy to "fit in" and settle for material things. Yet this song seems to mock that viewpoint, seems to criticise people for accepting this lifestyle, and not questioning anything. The Kinks are always great at picturing British life
Comedancing nailed it. The name of the house is Shangri-La but it really isn't a paradise at all. One of Ray's best.
This is my favorite Kinks song. I can't believe there are so few comments!
Agree with everyone who is praising Ray Davies' lyrics on this one. This song is dripping with sarcasm. The lyrics are made even more powerful because they are spoken so softly.
Also, the first time Ray played this song live was only a few years ago! 2009 or 2010 I believe.
Has anyone ever notice that the "all the houses" part sounds eerily like Cream's Tales of brave ulysses? Maybe I'm just hearing things... Check it out though.