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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Ray Davies
Ray Davies
Vocals
Bill Shanley
Bill Shanley
Performer
Gary Louris
Gary Louris
Performer
Marc Perlman
Marc Perlman
Performer
Tim O'Reagan
Tim O'Reagan
Performer
Karen Grotberg
Karen Grotberg
Performer
John Jackson
John Jackson
Performer
Andrea Grant
Andrea Grant
Background Vocals
Lorraine Cato
Lorraine Cato
Background Vocals
Everton Nelson
Everton Nelson
Violin
Kate Robinson
Kate Robinson
Violin
Bruce White
Bruce White
Viola
Ian Burdge
Ian Burdge
Cello
Josh Green
Josh Green
Programming
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Ray Davies
Ray Davies
Composer
Sally Herbert
Sally Herbert
Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Ray Davies
Ray Davies
Producer
John Jackson
John Jackson
Co-Producer
Guy Massey
Guy Massey
Mixing Engineer
Josh Green
Josh Green
Recording Engineer
Max Prior
Max Prior
Assistant Engineer
Bob Ludwig
Bob Ludwig
Mastering Engineer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I just got back from a walk
Down the square
To the local Kentucky
To see what was cooking down there
[Verse 2]
I looked around at the stores
And the signs
And the queues lining up
For that 21st century fare
[Verse 3]
I kneel down and say grace for the comforts the world bestows on me
And the great corporations providing our every need
And those big neon signs telling us what to eat
And every shop window goods are designed to please
Oh, but I ask
Where is the poetry?
[Verse 4]
The day we met, we were both down and broke
But we laughed and found comfort
In old books and walks in the rain
Or reading poetry out loud
Or watching old black and white films together
In the days before Blockbuster came
[Verse 5]
I hear you ran off and found yourself a rich, handsome fella
To supply you with all you require in material needs
I hope your fairytale doesn't end tragically
And in a shopping mall somewhere, you'll be down on your knees
Crying out loud
Where is the poetry?
[Verse 6]
I'm looking at the sign that says, "Have A Good Day"
But I got too much on my mind
So many questions that get in the way
[Verse 7]
Everybody's looking for perfection
But once I heard a wise man say
"To get sometimes, you have to give away"
Where is the poetry? What is the rhyme?
What is the meaning?
Give us a sign
[Verse 8]
I have read in the news
Someone said that the great population
Is better off than yesterday
Better health, better food, better sex
A better higher education
But with credit card bills always on the way
[Verse 9]
And I just saw my gal with a guy in a fast food outlet
They seemed happy together
But I saw the tragedy
[Verse 10]
Maybe I'm missing something
Was too blind to see
She settled for someone who isn't so hard to please
Without all the fire and desire and the mystery
[Verse 11]
Oh, but I ask
Where is the poetry?
Written by: Raymond Douglas Davies
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