I’m showing my age a bit here, but I vividly remember a time when MTV actually played music videos. It’s almost unbelievable now, isn’t it? Back in my high school days, MTV was my personal radio station and my go-to music discovery platform. It was through MTV that I encountered the songs that soundtracked my teenage angst and, years later, fueled my adult nostalgia. It’s a common joke between my partner and me: “I love this [song or album]! It came out just a few years ago, right?” only to be met with a gentle, “Sweetie, that was 1993.” Time flies!
One music video that particularly stuck with me, embedding itself into my impressionable young mind, was “Come Dancing” by The Kinks. I was captivated by its retro vibe, both in sound and visuals. The brass section gave it that classic big band feel, and the dance hall scenes, filled with people in vintage attire, were so evocative. And then there was the story: a young boy watching his sister get ready for the dance hall, then growing up to become the band’s singer. The sister’s story arc was equally compelling, transitioning from a young woman with a queue of dance partners to a more mature woman who needs encouragement to step onto the dance floor, observed by a former admirer from the balcony.
The Kinks – Come Dancing
There’s a little detail for music nerds around the 1:33 mark in the video: the bandleader is actually conducting in time with the music! Take note, filmmakers and TV producers – it can be done!
I always sensed a deeper layer of nostalgia in the video, something beyond just a fond childhood memory. It felt almost melancholic, hinting at an unspoken sadness. I often wondered about it, but never expected to find out more, and honestly, I’d almost forgotten about it. That was until recently, when I happened to catch an interview with The Kinks’ frontman, Ray Davies, on NPR’s Fresh Air.
Davies spoke about his six older sisters, all musical and all enthusiastic dancers at “the local Palais.” However, one sister, Rene, had a particularly profound impact on him and his musical journey. She was the one who gifted him his first guitar for his 13th birthday. And here’s the heartbreaking backstory: on that very same night she went out dancing, Rene tragically suffered a fatal heart attack on the dance floor. She was only 31. A childhood bout of rheumatic fever had left her vulnerable. So, “Come Dancing” is not just a nostalgic tune; it’s a poignant tribute to Rene and Ray Davies’ own musical origins.
Hearing this story was incredibly moving, especially as it was the day before Thanksgiving, a time when family is at the forefront of my thoughts. I also have an older sister, and she undeniably played a significant role in shaping my own path as a musician. I remember as a child, sneaking under the piano bench during her lessons, only to be promptly ushered out by her teacher. Making piano lessons “forbidden fruit” was certainly a way to plant the seeds of future music obsession! My sister even taught me my first piano piece, aptly named “My First Waltz.” And I have a vivid memory from when I was around 7 or 8, discovering the sheet music for Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata on the piano after she had practiced. At that point in my piano lessons, ledger lines, triplets, and four sharps were still a mystery to me, but I was determined to decipher that music. “Mary Had a Little Lamb” was no longer going to cut it for me!
Thankfully, my sister is alive and well – here’s a photo of us from last year, about to enjoy a ride in my brother’s Miata!
This is for Jennifer, who helped shape me into the person I am today. I love you!
