God's Children (The Kinks song)

God's Children is a song written by Ray Davies and performed by The Kinks. It was released as a single in 1971 and also on the soundtrack album of the film Percy.

"God's Children"
Single by The Kinks
from the album Percy soundtrack
B-side"Moments"
Released1971
Recorded1970
GenreRock
Length3:16
LabelPye Records
Songwriter(s)Ray Davies
Producer(s)Ray Davies
The Kinks singles chronology
"Apeman"
(1970)		 "God's Children"
(1971)		 "20th Century Man"
(1971)

The theme of "God's Children" is the limits of technology, inspired by the penis transplant subject matter of the Percy film.[1] Music critic Johnny Rogan described the melody of "God's Children" as "spellbinding."[1] Ray Davies sings the lead vocal.[2] The song uses acoustic instrumentation, accompanied by an orchestral arrangement by Stanley Myers.[1]

Dave Davies praised the song as "phenomenal, an amazing song which is timeless and if you play it now it could sit quite comfortably in any decade."[3] Kinks organist John Gosling regards "God's Children" as one of his three favorite Kinks' songs.[4] Rogan has stated that Davies' "plea for a return to Edenic innocence was powerful and moving and arguably the closest he has come to writing a religious song."[1] Billboard Magazine described the song as "a potent lyric ballad set to a rock beat" and regarded it as a "strong entry for Top 40, FM and Hot 100."[2] However, the single's success was hampered by lack of promotion by the label, and lack of live concert support from the band.[2]

"God's Children" has been included on some Kinks compilation albums such as The Kink Kronikles.[5]

A 25-second instrumental from the song entitled "God's Children - End" is used as the concluding track of Percy.[1]

References
  1. Rogan, J. (1998). The Complete Guide to the Music of the Kinks. Omnibus Press. pp. 81–83. ISBN 0711963142.
  2. Hinman, D. (2004). The Kinks: All Day and All of the Night. Hal Leonard. pp. 145, 155. ISBN 9780879307653.
  3. Hudson, Martin (November 1998). "Here's Some Unfinished Business: With Kinks re-releases falling around like confetti it was Anthology time for Dave". Wondrous Stories.
  4. Kitts, T. (2007). Ray Davies: Not Like Everybody Else. Taylor & Francis. p. 157. ISBN 9780415977685.
  5. "God's Children". Allmusic. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
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