8 APRIL 1966
The Kinks’ single ‘Dedicated Follower of Fashion’ was at its peak UK chart position of #4. A witty and topical dig at the dandy young fashionistas of the secluded London scene (the 'Carnabetian Army', as they are referred to in one verse), this could well be the most '1966-ish' song of 1966.
Ray Davies had milked his trademark 'heavy metal' sound for all it was worth by this time, and now the Kinks added a more acoustic tone to their music while his his song-writing became lyrically sharper. He was probably the best British lyricist of the day, and 'Dedicated Follower of Fashion' won him an Ivor Novello Award in 1966.
This was almost vaudevillian stuff, with the 'Oh yes he is' callbacks and Davies putting on mock accents for lines such as 'when he pulls his frilly nylon panties right up tight' and 'In matters of the cloth he is as fickle as can be'.
B-side: 'Sittin' On My Sofa'
Released: 25 February 1966 (UK), 27 April 1966 (US)
Highest chart position: #4 (UK), #36 (US)
Highest chart position: #4 (UK), #36 (US)
Recorded: 2 February 1966
Length: 03:05
Writer: Ray Davies
Producer: Shel Talmy
