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Oklahoma U.S.A.
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Wikipedia article
'Oklahoma U.S.A.' is a song written by Ray Davies and performed by British rock band The Kinks on their 1971 LP 'Muswell Hillbillies'.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080124165239/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thekinks/albums/album/222285/review/5941914/muswell_hillbillies 'Muswell Hillbillies' on Rolling Stone]
Synopsis
The lyrics describe a young woman who leads a monotonous working class life, and imagines in her dreams she is in various Hollywood films, such as 'Oklahoma!' ("But in her dreams she is far away/ In Oklahoma U.S.A./ With Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRae").[http://www.kindakinks.net/misc/paper-DiBlasi-MuswellHillbillies.pdf Paper On Muswell Hillbillies][http://www.kindakinks.net/discography/showsong.php?song=289 Lyrics] As the song progresses and she goes on with life she continues to dream of Oklahoma and Hollywood ("She walks to work but she's still in a daze/ She's Rita Hayworth or Doris Day/ And Errol Flynn's gonna take her away/ To Oklahoma U.S.A."). The song opens and closes with the lyrics "All life we work, but work is a bore./ If life's for livin', then what's livin' for?"
Instrumentation
The piece differs from the other songs on 'Muswell Hillbillies' in the fact that it features a much quieter sound and overall feel. Mick Avory's drums are absent, and the only instruments used are an acoustic guitar, accordion, and keyboards (piano/organ).
Cover versions
Indie rock group Yo La Tengo covered it on their 1990 album 'Fakebook'.[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000048CX Amazon.com] listing for 'Falebook' Country artist Lauren Adams covered it on her album 'Secret Heart',[http://musicishere.com/artists/Lauren_Adams/Secret_Heart Info] on "Secret Heart" and Leigh Harris recorded a version on the album 'House of Secrets.'[http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/leighharris Listing] For 'House of Secrets."
References
General
*[http://www.kindakinks.net/misc/paper-DiBlasi-MuswellHillbillies.pdf Paper by Alex DiBlasi on Muswell Hillbillies]*[http://www.kindakinks.net/charts.html Chart Positions]
*[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002IQI7E Amazon Listing for Muswell Hillbillies]
In-Line Citations
Category:The Kinks songs
Category:Songs written by Ray Davies
Category:1971 songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Ray Davies
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