THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

770-Kinks-Waterloo Sunset.

1967-Number 2 single.

Best Bit-At 0.08.Be warned before listening, this is the ultimate ‘EARWORM’ song.

Of all the songs written by Ray Davis this is his most critically acclaimed (see also best songs 1014,) Paul Weller has stated it is his favourite song of all time.

The lyrics describe someone who is on their own, watching (or imagining) two lovers passing over a bridge, the Thames, and Waterloo Station, in London, the place of Davis’ birth. In 2010 Davis stated that the song was originally entitled ‘Liverpool Sunset,’ as his favourite city to perform in is Liverpool, and he was also inspired by ‘Merseybeat.’ He didn’t want to clash with the Beatles who had just released ‘Penny Lane,’ so he called it ‘Waterloo Sunset’ instead, because Waterloo was a very significant place for him when he was a child.

There are two significant cover versions, in 2003 David Bowie was joined on stage by Davis, and they performed a duet of the song at Carnegie Hall in New York City, for the Tibet House benefit. Bowie recorded a solo studio version of the song, as a bonus track for his 2003 Album ‘Reality.’ In 1997 Cathy Dennis (see also best songs 928) covered the song, taking it to Number 11 in the UK, the video showed Dennis singing the song while travelling in a taxi, driven by Ray Davis in a cameo role.

‘Millions of people swarming like flies ’round Waterloo underground,but Terry and Julie cross over the river, where they feel safe and sound.’