The Kinks were heading into uncharted territory in the Sixties. The London rockers blew up in the early days of the British invasion, topping the charts with violently rowdy bangers like “You Really Got Me.” But Ray Davies began to explore a new kind of introspective songwriting, telling stories of everyday heartbreak. “Waterloo Sunset” is his artistic triumph: the delicate 1967 ballad of a lonely man by a train station, watching lovers from his window. 

This one-time cult favorite has become The Kinks’ most beloved classic, setting a standard that all kinds of songwriters aspire to reach. On this week’s episode hosts Rob Sheffield and Brittany Spanos are joined by their Rolling Stone colleague Kory Grow, to explore the mystery of how such a quiet song has just kept growing more beloved and influential over the years.

The Kinks were heading into uncharted territory in the Sixties. The London rockers blew up in the early days of the British invasion, topping the charts with violently rowdy bangers like “You Really Got Me.” But Ray Davies began to explore a new kind of introspective songwriting, telling stories of everyday heartbreak. “Waterloo Sunset” is his artistic triumph: the delicate 1967 ballad of a lonely man by a train station, watching lovers from his window. 
This one-time cult favorite has become The Kinks’ most beloved classic, setting a standard that all kinds of songwriters aspire to reach. On this week’s episode hosts Rob Sheffield and Brittany Spanos are joined by their Rolling Stone colleague Kory Grow, to explore the mystery of how such a quiet song has just kept growing more beloved and influential over the years.

This exclusive podcast from Rolling Stone tells the stories behind the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time." Hosts Brittany Spanos and Rob Sheffield dissect Rolling Stone's iconic list and explore the magic and mythology behind the songs on this in-depth new series. From classics like Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” to The Ronettes' “Be My Baby,” and modern-era hits like The Killers' “Mr. Brightside,” and Britney Spears' “...Baby One More Time," we talk to artists and insiders about what makes these the greatest songs of all time.

This exclusive podcast from Rolling Stone tells the stories behind the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time." Hosts Brittany Spanos and Rob Sheffield dissect Rolling Stone's iconic list and explore the magic and mythology behind the songs on this in-depth new series. From classics like Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” to The Ronettes' “Be My Baby,” and modern-era hits like The Killers' “Mr. Brightside,” and Britney Spears' “...Baby One More Time," we talk to artists and insiders about what makes these the greatest songs of all time.

Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs

Is The Kinks’ “Waterloo Sunset” The Most Beautiful Song Ever?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/72121048-bd7c-4508-9760-b19a015462a1/transcript

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