The Kinks — No More Looking Back
Album: Schoolboys In DisgraceAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 362
Length: 4:25
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Walking along a crowded street
I see thousands of faces before me.
Then I see a face that I used to know
Long ago in my life story.
It starts me thinking about the things you said
For your image is still inside me.
The past is gone but in my head
You're still walking along beside me.
Is it something playing tricks with my eyes
Or just an illusion deceiving me,
Or is it someone in a disguise
Or visions of things that used to be?
But lately I've been going to
All the places that we once knew,
And just when I think that I am free of you
I keep seeing the things that remind me of you,
And just when I think you're out of my head
I hear a song that you sang or see a book that you read.
Then you're in every bar, you're in every café,
You're driving every car, I see you everyday,
But you're not really there 'cos you belong to yesterday.
No more looking back,
No more living in the past,
Yesterday's gone and that's a fact,
Now there's no more looking back.
Got to be hard,
Yeah, look straight ahead.
That s the only way it's going to be,
Yesterday's gone and that's a fact,
Now there's no more looking back,
Perhaps someday I'll stop needing you,
Then maybe one day I'll be free of you.
But lately I've been going to
All the places that remind me of you.
And just when I think you're out of my head
I hear a record you played or see a book that you read.
Then you're in every bar, you're in every café,
You're driving every car, I see you everyday
But you're not really there 'cos you belong to yesterday.
No more looking back,
No more living in the past.
Yesterday's gone, that's a fact,
Now there's no more looking back.
No more looking back.
No more living in the past.
Yesterday's gone, that's a fact.
Now there's no more looking back.
I see thousands of faces before me.
Then I see a face that I used to know
Long ago in my life story.
It starts me thinking about the things you said
For your image is still inside me.
The past is gone but in my head
You're still walking along beside me.
Is it something playing tricks with my eyes
Or just an illusion deceiving me,
Or is it someone in a disguise
Or visions of things that used to be?
But lately I've been going to
All the places that we once knew,
And just when I think that I am free of you
I keep seeing the things that remind me of you,
And just when I think you're out of my head
I hear a song that you sang or see a book that you read.
Then you're in every bar, you're in every café,
You're driving every car, I see you everyday,
But you're not really there 'cos you belong to yesterday.
No more looking back,
No more living in the past,
Yesterday's gone and that's a fact,
Now there's no more looking back.
Got to be hard,
Yeah, look straight ahead.
That s the only way it's going to be,
Yesterday's gone and that's a fact,
Now there's no more looking back,
Perhaps someday I'll stop needing you,
Then maybe one day I'll be free of you.
But lately I've been going to
All the places that remind me of you.
And just when I think you're out of my head
I hear a record you played or see a book that you read.
Then you're in every bar, you're in every café,
You're driving every car, I see you everyday
But you're not really there 'cos you belong to yesterday.
No more looking back,
No more living in the past.
Yesterday's gone, that's a fact,
Now there's no more looking back.
No more looking back.
No more living in the past.
Yesterday's gone, that's a fact.
Now there's no more looking back.
Comments (56)add comment
Dundas1965 wrote:
Oh for christ's sake man, it's just an album cover. If it spawns an adverse memory don't look at it.
Disturbing album cover. I was beaten at school (two English private boarding schools) more times than I can remember between the age of 8 and 16. It’s not funny (cartoon) or character building stuff either. Glad to say corporal punishment has been banned in uk for many years now.
Oh for christ's sake man, it's just an album cover. If it spawns an adverse memory don't look at it.
Disturbing album cover. I was beaten at school (two English private boarding schools) more times than I can remember between the age of 8 and 16. It’s not funny (cartoon) or character building stuff either. Glad to say corporal punishment has been banned in uk for many years now.
I’ve got this album. Thanx for playing this one!
Never heard this before . . . 8
Super Duper Mister!
bam23 wrote:
Damn. It happened again.
...yeah, kind of like "Let it Rain"
Damn. It happened again.
...yeah, kind of like "Let it Rain"
When I first heard this, I thought it was Pablo Cruise
bam23 wrote:
Damn. It happened again.
Strangely, every time I hear the first notes, it sounds like Eric Clapton. This effect does not last long, but it happens every time. No further similarities detected.
Damn. It happened again.
Great song, but I never thought it fit the album concept.
I think the guitar riff was borrowed for this slice of cheese:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPQTweSajVs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPQTweSajVs
horstman wrote:
I stated an opinion "or so it seems", try to see things in context, Please?
And if you look at what is being played today as opposed to 30 years ago, I think the intellectual/talent is pretty much limited to the shallow end of the pool. Plus, there was no internet back then and now we have multiple means to obtain music of the world from anywhere a phone line or modem is available. Or a satellite.
Just sayin.
Personally, The Kinks are one of my favorite bands, but older music has the luxury of having been accepted for many years. That can automatically give it a position of superiority. Few people have ever been allowed to suggest that a contemporary music artist is better than or equal to those who preceded them. What do you think Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, or their fans thought of The Beatles and The Stones in the early 1960's? They probably thought they were musically inept at best. There are plenty of intellectual and talented musicians around these days, but, as you mentioned: many of them are seldom "being played today".
I stated an opinion "or so it seems", try to see things in context, Please?
And if you look at what is being played today as opposed to 30 years ago, I think the intellectual/talent is pretty much limited to the shallow end of the pool. Plus, there was no internet back then and now we have multiple means to obtain music of the world from anywhere a phone line or modem is available. Or a satellite.
Just sayin.
Personally, The Kinks are one of my favorite bands, but older music has the luxury of having been accepted for many years. That can automatically give it a position of superiority. Few people have ever been allowed to suggest that a contemporary music artist is better than or equal to those who preceded them. What do you think Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, or their fans thought of The Beatles and The Stones in the early 1960's? They probably thought they were musically inept at best. There are plenty of intellectual and talented musicians around these days, but, as you mentioned: many of them are seldom "being played today".
BobSteinVisiBone wrote:
The same words were uttered in 1998, in 1978, in 1948, in 1888, in 1608, and in 6198 B.C. A running joke that will never be funny as long as one person is alive who actually believes it.
I stated an opinion "or so it seems", try to see things in context, Please?
And if you look at what is being played today as opposed to 30 years ago, I think the intellectual/talent is pretty much limited to the shallow end of the pool. Plus, there was no internet back then and now we have multiple means to obtain music of the world from anywhere a phone line or modem is available. Or a satellite.
Just sayin.
The same words were uttered in 1998, in 1978, in 1948, in 1888, in 1608, and in 6198 B.C. A running joke that will never be funny as long as one person is alive who actually believes it.
I stated an opinion "or so it seems", try to see things in context, Please?
And if you look at what is being played today as opposed to 30 years ago, I think the intellectual/talent is pretty much limited to the shallow end of the pool. Plus, there was no internet back then and now we have multiple means to obtain music of the world from anywhere a phone line or modem is available. Or a satellite.
Just sayin.
Wow... this makes me question my musical knowledge... 60's,70's,80's, this is cool! ... not great ... but cool....
Nice!
Love the Kinks! THX for sharing!
Great song - It got me through difficult times in my life - Ray Davies is a very underrated artist!
more spinal tap
Superb hooks.
manbirdexperiment wrote:
Oh man – how can you say that?! Oh well.
I think it's a great, great love song, fantastic guitar, great tune. And one of the songs that demonstrates how many dimensions the Kinks have.
I love the Kinks - but I hate this song.
Oh man – how can you say that?! Oh well.
I think it's a great, great love song, fantastic guitar, great tune. And one of the songs that demonstrates how many dimensions the Kinks have.
manbirdexperiment wrote:
I agree with this, I didn't like this song, or lp when it came out, and hearing it today hasn't changed my mind.
I love the Kinks - but I hate this song.
I agree with this, I didn't like this song, or lp when it came out, and hearing it today hasn't changed my mind.
Strangely, every time I hear the first notes, it sounds like Eric Clapton. This effect does not last long, but it happens every time. No further similarities detected.
pdemeester wrote : "The Kinks had a couple good songs that hit well in the 60's/70's genre but, for the most part, are mediocre at best."
Wrong !! When I saw them live in Seattle in 1976 they kept 14,000 people on their feet for 3 hours...
Ray Davies is a genius and great singer/songwriter and the Kinks kicked ass...
caregiver wrote:
Link Wray did it first when he and his band recorded Rumble. He punched a hole in his amp with a pencil.
Legend has it that Ray got so p.o.'d at not being able to get the sound he wanted, he stabbed his amp speaker with a knitting needle, creating the fuzz heard on some of their early material. I know a guy in PA who still flies wherever in the world they're playing to see them.
Link Wray did it first when he and his band recorded Rumble. He punched a hole in his amp with a pencil.
Legend has it that Ray got so p.o.'d at not being able to get the sound he wanted, he stabbed his amp speaker with a knitting needle, creating the fuzz heard on some of their early material. I know a guy in PA who still flies wherever in the world they're playing to see them.
horstman wrote:
The same words were uttered in 1998, in 1978, in 1948, in 1888, in 1608, and in 6198 B.C. A running joke that will never be funny as long as one person is alive who actually believes it.
.... Remember, there was a lot more talent back then than there is now (or so it seems).
The same words were uttered in 1998, in 1978, in 1948, in 1888, in 1608, and in 6198 B.C. A running joke that will never be funny as long as one person is alive who actually believes it.
pdemeester wrote:
I'll agree that this song is a bit of a mess, but a couple of great songs? Are you kidding? The Kinks will probably go down as one of the greatest bands of the 60s/70s. They didn't have the school boy charm of the Beatles, the rancor of the Stones, the bad ass Who, but were certainly very talented composers and arrangers.
We are all entitled to our opinions, but you need to look beyond "popularity" to define quality and talent. This band has the latter two even if they didn't create the popularity of the other "big" acts of the same time period. Remember, there was a lot more talent back then than there is now (or so it seems).
The Kinks had a couple good songs that hit well in the 60's/70's genre but, for the most part, are mediocre at best. I personally don't find Ray's voice all that appealing and most of their songs are stereotypic. This song in particular would have been much better done without the competing guitar that seemed to overpower the lyrics. A bit of a mess either way.
I'll agree that this song is a bit of a mess, but a couple of great songs? Are you kidding? The Kinks will probably go down as one of the greatest bands of the 60s/70s. They didn't have the school boy charm of the Beatles, the rancor of the Stones, the bad ass Who, but were certainly very talented composers and arrangers.
We are all entitled to our opinions, but you need to look beyond "popularity" to define quality and talent. This band has the latter two even if they didn't create the popularity of the other "big" acts of the same time period. Remember, there was a lot more talent back then than there is now (or so it seems).
pdemeester wrote:
The Kinks had a couple good songs that hit well in the 60's/70's genre but, for the most part, are mediocre at best. I personally don't find Ray's voice all that appealing and most of their songs are stereotypic. This song in particular would have been much better done without the competing guitar that seemed to overpower the lyrics. A bit of a mess either way.
Yeah, I have to agree. The Kinks aren't what I would call a "great" band, more of "passable at best."
The Kinks had a couple good songs that hit well in the 60's/70's genre but, for the most part, are mediocre at best. I personally don't find Ray's voice all that appealing and most of their songs are stereotypic. This song in particular would have been much better done without the competing guitar that seemed to overpower the lyrics. A bit of a mess either way.
The best break-up song ever written.
I love the Kinks - but I hate this song.
raulman1 wrote:
I saw the Kinks perform this album live in San Diego during the "Schoolboys in Disgrace" tour in mid-70's. It was a great show -- Ray Davies is quite the showman. 
I had the good fortune of seeing that show also. Yup, performers of the highest degree.Especially enjoyed how they pulled off the video and real time interaction. Very clever lads, them Kinks.
I saw the Kinks perform this album live in San Diego during the "Schoolboys in Disgrace" tour in mid-70's. It was a great show -- Ray Davies is quite the showman.
sharkartist wrote:
Oh cool, my upload made the grade! This has got to be the best breakup song ever written. Here's to the genius of Ray Davies! 
Thanks for uploading it.
guiguy wrote:
Superb...!
Indeed! These guys are really something very special.......
sharkartist wrote:
Boy, if ever a song felt relevant, this one does today.
Again?
sharkartist wrote:
Oh cool, my upload made the grade! This has got to be the best breakup song ever written. Here's to the genius of Ray Davies!
Never heard that one before. Good tune! I am not a big Kinks fan at all, but that one caught my attention for sure. I'd like to listen to the rest of the album now.
Boy, if ever a song felt relevant, this one does today.
Great song. Rarely, if ever hear anything off "School Boys." Good Call!
I salute you Ray
Superb...!
kazuma wrote:
Suffers from some very muddy production.
I tink it's the upload...
Suffers from some very muddy production.
Oh cool, my upload made the grade! This has got to be the best breakup song ever written. Here's to the genius of Ray Davies!
driver8 wrote:
A lot of us do - we upload songs to the Listener Review Channel . Then we listen to the LRC and give Thanks To The Uploader in the LRC Forum . 
Thank you.
Stefen wrote:
Does anyone, other than dionysius, know the meanings of LRC and TTTU?
A lot of us do - we upload songs to the Listener Review Channel . Then we listen to the LRC and give Thanks To The Uploader in the LRC Forum .
Stefen wrote:
Does anyone, other than dionysius, know the meanings of LRC and TTTU?
LRC is the link listed above for voting on new RP material. As far as TTTU.....your guess is as good as mine. ;-)
dionysius wrote:
Stone cold masterpiece from The Kinks' neglected middle period. I remember hearing this on the LRC; TTTU!
Does anyone, other than dionysius, know the meanings of LRC and TTTU?
What a shame. I like almost everything by the Kinks, but this one's pretty dull.
Seems like the Kinks get overlooked a lot
Stone cold masterpiece from The Kinks' neglected middle period. I remember hearing this on the LRC; TTTU!
I could do without this album cover. The song's a solid 4 though. 
Oh for christ's sake man, it's just an album cover. If it spawns an adverse memory don't look at it.
Kinda late for that advice.
How about a bit of empathy instead?