Formed in 1963 in Muswell Hill, North London, they first gained prominence on the heels of the well-received and highly influential single "You Really Got Me" (1964). The group originally consisted of lead singer/guitarist Ray Davies, his brother lead guitarist Dave Davies, drummer Mick Avory, and bassist Pete Quaife. Quaife left (twice) in the late 1960s, and Avory finally left in 1984 as the result of a long-running dispute with Dave Davies, leaving only the Davies brothers as the core of the original group.
With Ray Davies' songwriting skills and unabashedly English voices, Dave Davies' impressive guitar work, and Avory's tight and steady drumming, the band became one of the best and most influential groups of British pop and the "British Invasion" of the U.S.A., lasting longer than any of their competitors, apart from the Rolling Stones, as they broke up in 1996. Their catalogue of songs has been covered by Van Halen, The Pretenders, The Black Keys, The Stranglers, Queens of the Stone Age , and many more.
Members:
Ray Davies – vocals, rhythm guitar (1963–1996)
Dave Davies – lead guitar, vocals (1963–1996)
Pete Quaife – bass guitar (1963–1969)
John Dalton – bass guitar (1969–1976)
Andy Pyle – bass guitar (1976–1978)
Jim Rodford – bass guitar (1978–1996)
Mick Avory – drums (1963–1984)
Bob Henrit – drums (1984–1996)
John Gosling – keyboards, piano (1970–1978)
Gordon Edwards – keyboards, piano (1978–1979)
Ian Gibbons – keyboards, piano (1979–1989, 1993–1996)
Mark Haley – keyboards, piano (1989–1993)
Celluloid Heroes
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And everybody's in movies, it doesn't matter who you are
There are starts in every city
In every house and on every street
And if you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Their names are written in concrete
Don't step on Greta Garbo as you walk down the Boulevard
But they turned her into a princess
And they sat her on a throne
But she turned her back on stardom
Because she wanted to be alone
You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
Rudolph Valentino looks very much alive
And he looks up ladies dresses as they sadly pass him by
Avoid stepping on Bela Lugosi
'Cause he's liable to turn and bite
But stand close by Bette Davis
Because hers was such a lonely life
If you covered him with garbage
George Sanders would still have style
And if you stamped on Mickey Rooney
He would still turn round and smile
But please don't tread on dearest Marilyn
Cause she's not very tough
She should have been made of iron or steel
But she was only made of flesh and blood
You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
Everybody's a dreamer and everybody's a star
And everybody's in show biz, it doesn't matter who you are
And those who are successful
Be always on your guard
Success walks hand in hand with failure
Along Hollywood Boulevard
I wish my life was non-stop Hollywood movie show
A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes
Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain
And celluloid heroes never really die
You can see all the stars as you walk along...
You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
La la la la....
Oh, celluloid heroes never feel any pain
Oh, celluloid heroes never really die
I wish my life was non-stop Hollywood movie show
A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes
Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain
And celluloid heroes never really die
The Kinks's song "Celluloid Heroes" is a tribute to the stars of the silver screen, both those who achieved great success in their careers and those who struggled and suffered in vain. It talks about the dream of living a life like those in the movies, where pain and death are never an issue as celluloid heroes never really die. The lyrics also mention specific Hollywood stars and their stories, such as Greta Garbo and Bette Davis, who despite achieving great success, experienced loneliness and isolation. The song acknowledges the fact that Hollywood can be a double-edged sword, where success and failure often come hand in hand.
The lyrics of "Celluloid Heroes" strike a chord with listeners because they highlight the desire for a life that is perfect and pain-free, something that many people dream of but is impossible to achieve. The song also sheds light on the fact that even those who achieve great success may feel lonely and isolated, and that fame does not guarantee happiness. Interestingly, the song was not a commercial success when it was first released but has since become one of The Kinks's most beloved tunes.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody's a dreamer and everybody's a star
Everyone has dreams of making it big in life and being recognized for their achievements.
And everybody's in movies, it doesn't matter who you are
Movies have become such an integral part of our lives that everyone fantasizes about being a part of it, irrespective of their background or social status.
There are stars in every city
Every city in the world has people who are celebrated for their accomplishments and recognized as stars.
In every house and on every street
Stars are not just limited to movies or the glamour industry; they can be found in every household and every street.
And if you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood Boulevard is a symbol of the entertainment industry and walking down this street is an experience in itself.
Their names are written in concrete
The stars of the entertainment industry are so celebrated that their names are immortalized by being written in concrete on the walk of fame.
Don't step on Greta Garbo as you walk down the Boulevard
Greta Garbo was a famous actress who is often credited with being one of the greatest and most beautiful actresses of all time. The singer advises us not to step on her name written on the walk of fame.
She looks so weak and fragile that's why she tried to be so hard
Greta Garbo was known for her delicate beauty, which is why she tried to portray herself as strong and unbreakable.
But they turned her into a princess
Despite her efforts to appear strong, the film industry portrayed her as a fragile princess-like figure on screen.
And they sat her on a throne
Her success in the film industry was so great that she was considered queen of the silver screen and given a throne-like status.
But she turned her back on stardom
Despite all her accomplishments, Greta Garbo eventually retired from acting as she did not enjoy the spotlight or attention that came with it.
Because she wanted to be alone
Greta Garbo was a very private person and craved solitude in her life, away from the public eye.
You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
The walk of fame is a place where you can see the names of all the biggest stars and legends of the entertainment industry.
Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of
The walk of fame features names of all sorts of stars, ranging from the most famous and recognizable to those who might have gone unnoticed by many.
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Behind the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry, there are many individuals who have worked hard, struggled and suffered to achieve success and fame.
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
Not everyone who strives for success in the entertainment industry ends up achieving it. For some, their struggles and hard work go in vain.
Rudolph Valentino looks very much alive
Rudolph Valentino was a famous actor from the past who died young. Despite this, his image was so captivating that he appears to be alive even today.
And he looks up ladies dresses as they sadly pass him by
The line is perhaps a playful jab at the idea of the male gaze and the way in which male actors in the past were often portrayed as being lascivious or predatory towards women.
Avoid stepping on Bela Lugosi
Bela Lugosi was a famous actor who played the character of Dracula in the movies. The singer advises us to watch where we're stepping so as not to dishonor his memory.
'Cause he's liable to turn and bite
This line again seems to be a playful jab at the success of movies like Dracula, which created a whole cult following of people who were obsessed with vampires and horror.
But stand close by Bette Davis
Bette Davis was a famous actress who was known for her intense performances and her ability to bring her characters to life. The singer advises us to pay our respects to her memory by standing close to her on the walk of fame.
Because hers was such a lonely life
Despite her fame and success, Bette Davis was often seen as a lonesome figure, living a life that was marked by hardship and struggle.
If you covered him with garbage
The singer is referring to the actor George Sanders, who was famous for his suave and sophisticated demeanor.
George Sanders would still have style
The reference in this line is again to the idea that certain people have a natural sense of style and elegance, which is something that cannot be taken away from them.
And if you stamped on Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney was another famous actor from the past who was known for his versatility as a performer.
He would still turn round and smile
Despite all the hardships that Mickey Rooney faced throughout his life, he always remained optimistic and cheerful, which is something that is admirable.
But please don't tread on dearest Marilyn
Marilyn Monroe was one of the most iconic actresses of all time and a true Hollywood legend. The singer advises us to tread carefully around her memory so as not to dishonor her.
Cause she's not very tough
Despite her image as a tough and sexy woman, beneath the surface Marilyn Monroe was a vulnerable and sensitive person.
She should have been made of iron or steel
The idea in this line is that Marilyn Monroe was so iconic and admired that she ought to have been invincible and indestructible, like a superhero.
But she was only made of flesh and blood
Despite her status as a cultural icon, Marilyn Monroe was ultimately a human being who was as vulnerable and fragile as anyone else.
And those who are successful
This line refers to those individuals who have succeeded in the entertainment industry and become stars themselves.
Be always on your guard
The singer advises those who have made it to stay vigilant and not let their success go to their heads.
Success walks hand in hand with failure
The idea in this line is that success is always accompanied by the possibility of failure and downfall. One can never be too sure of how long their success will last and must always be diligent to work towards maintaining it.
I wish my life was non-stop Hollywood movie show
The singer is expressing his desire to live a life that is like a never-ending movie, filled with drama, excitement and adventure.
A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes
The reference in this line is again to the glamour and excitement of movies, where heroes and villains are larger-than-life figures who inhabit a world that is larger than anything in reality.
Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain
The idea in this line is that movie heroes are invincible and do not feel pain or suffering, unlike real people.
And celluloid heroes never really die
The reference in this line is again to the fact that movie heroes are larger-than-life figures who become immortalized through their performances, even after they die.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RAY DAVIES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jan den Hartog
Everybody's a dreamer
And everybody's a star
And everybody's in movies
It doesn't matter who you are
There are stars in every city
In every house and on every street
And if you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Their names are written in concrete
Don't thread on Greta Garbo
As you walk down the boulevard
She looks so weak and fragile
That's why she tried to be so hard
But they turned her into a princess
And they sat her on a throne
But she turned her back on stardom
Because she wanted to be alone
Well You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognise, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
Rudolph Valentino
Looks very much alive
And he looks up ladies' dresses
As they sadly pass him by
Avoid stepping on Bela Lugosi
Because he's liable to turn and bite
But stand close by Bette Davis
Because hers was such a lonely life
Well You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognise, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
Everybody's a dreamer
And everybody's a star
And everybody's in show-biz
It doesn't matter who you are
But those who are successful
Be always on your guard
Success walks hand in hand with failure
Along Hollywood Boulevard
I wish my life was a non-stop Hollywood movie show
A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes
'Cause celluloid heroes never feel any pain
And celluloid heroes never really die
You can see all the stars as you walk along Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognise, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
Oh, celluloid heroes never feel any pain
Oh, celluloid heroes never really die
I wish my life was a non-stop Hollywood movie show
A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes
Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain
And celluloid heroes never really die
Jeffrey Hall
Complete lyrics.....
Everybody's a dreamer and everybody's a star
And everybody's in movies, it doesn't matter who you are
There are starts in every city
In every house and on every street
And if you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Their names are written in concrete
Don't step on Greta Garbo as you walk down the Boulevard
She looks so weak and fragile that's why she tried to be so hard
But they turned her into a princess
And they sat her on a throne
But she turned her back on stardom
Because she wanted to be alone
You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
Rudolph Valentino looks very much alive
And he looks up ladies dresses as they sadly pass him by
Avoid stepping on Bela Lugosi
'Cause he's liable to turn and bite
But stand close by Bette Davis
Because hers was such a lonely life
If you covered him with garbage
George Sanders would still have style
And if you stamped on Mickey Rooney
He would still turn round and smile
But please don't tread on dearest Marilyn
Cause she's not very tough
She should have been made of iron or steel
But she was only made of flesh and blood
You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
Everybody's a dreamer and everybody's a star
And everybody's in show biz, it doesn't matter who you are
And those who are successful
Be always on your guard
Success walks hand in hand with failure
Along Hollywood Boulevard
I wish my life was non-stop Hollywood movie show
A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes
Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain
And celluloid heroes never really die
You can see all the stars as you walk along...
You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la....
Oh, celluloid heroes never feel any pain
Oh, celluloid heroes never really die
I wish my life was non-stop Hollywood movie show
A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes
Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain
And celluloid heroes never really die
happyrappy
I don't say this very often but this song is a true masterpiece done by a very underrated band.
brainsareus
happyrappy i agree, they are underrated by the general public;but,people that know music,do indeed know how great the Kinks are.
Jim Nesta
happyrappy Very true. The Animals and the Kinks were my two favorite bands from the British Invasion when I was a young teen in the early 60s.
Dennis Campbell
+happyrappy I have always thought that this song has the best lyrics in Rock and Roll history.
happyrappy
Dennis Campbell I also love everything about this song, so pretty
Dennis Campbell
From a writer/artist's perspective, it's absolutely tops.
Rebecca Novack
One of the greatest bands ever. Put on an awesome show.
Mark Shershen
This song is a Masterpiece!!
Jan den Hartog
Everybody's a dreamer
And everybody's a star
And everybody's in movies
It doesn't matter who you are
There are stars in every city
In every house and on every street
And if you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Their names are written in concrete
Don't thread on Greta Garbo
As you walk down the boulevard
She looks so weak and fragile
That's why she tried to be so hard
But they turned her into a princess
And they sat her on a throne
But she turned her back on stardom
Because she wanted to be alone
Well You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognise, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
Rudolph Valentino
Looks very much alive
And he looks up ladies' dresses
As they sadly pass him by
Avoid stepping on Bela Lugosi
Because he's liable to turn and bite
But stand close by Bette Davis
Because hers was such a lonely life
Well You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognise, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
Everybody's a dreamer
And everybody's a star
And everybody's in show-biz
It doesn't matter who you are
But those who are successful
Be always on your guard
Success walks hand in hand with failure
Along Hollywood Boulevard
I wish my life was a non-stop Hollywood movie show
A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes
'Cause celluloid heroes never feel any pain
And celluloid heroes never really die
You can see all the stars as you walk along Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognise, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
Oh, celluloid heroes never feel any pain
Oh, celluloid heroes never really die
I wish my life was a non-stop Hollywood movie show
A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes
Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain
And celluloid heroes never really die
Jeffrey Hall
Complete lyrics.....
Everybody's a dreamer and everybody's a star
And everybody's in movies, it doesn't matter who you are
There are starts in every city
In every house and on every street
And if you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Their names are written in concrete
Don't step on Greta Garbo as you walk down the Boulevard
She looks so weak and fragile that's why she tried to be so hard
But they turned her into a princess
And they sat her on a throne
But she turned her back on stardom
Because she wanted to be alone
You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
Rudolph Valentino looks very much alive
And he looks up ladies dresses as they sadly pass him by
Avoid stepping on Bela Lugosi
'Cause he's liable to turn and bite
But stand close by Bette Davis
Because hers was such a lonely life
If you covered him with garbage
George Sanders would still have style
And if you stamped on Mickey Rooney
He would still turn round and smile
But please don't tread on dearest Marilyn
Cause she's not very tough
She should have been made of iron or steel
But she was only made of flesh and blood
You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
Everybody's a dreamer and everybody's a star
And everybody's in show biz, it doesn't matter who you are
And those who are successful
Be always on your guard
Success walks hand in hand with failure
Along Hollywood Boulevard
I wish my life was non-stop Hollywood movie show
A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes
Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain
And celluloid heroes never really die
You can see all the stars as you walk along...
You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard
Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of
People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame
Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la la la....
Oh, celluloid heroes never feel any pain
Oh, celluloid heroes never really die
I wish my life was non-stop Hollywood movie show
A fantasy world of celluloid villains and heroes
Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain
And celluloid heroes never really die