Celluloid Heroes
Encyclopedia
"Celluloid Heroes" is a song performed by The Kinks
and written by their lead vocalist and principal songwriter, Ray Davies
. It debuted on their 1972 album Everybody's in Show-Biz
.
's Hollywood Boulevard
, alluding to its Hollywood Walk of Fame
. The actors mentioned are Greta Garbo
, Rudolph Valentino
, Bela Lugosi
, Bette Davis
, Marilyn Monroe
, George Sanders
, and Mickey Rooney
although some versions of the song, including recorded concert versions, are performed with fewer verses and, thus, Marilyn Monroe, George Sanders, and Mickey Rooney are left out.
Davies uses the technique of personification (of the Walk's concrete stars) to create an intimate connection with the subject matter. The lyric has a warm, melancholy and nostalgic feel, and is driven by three underlying themes. First, "Celluloid Heroes" specifically cites the inhumane and exploitative manner in which the film industry can use its stars. Second, Davies suggests the escapist fantasy world of movies as an attractive respite. "I wish my life were a non-stop Hollywood movie show," he writes, "because celluloid heroes never feel any pain," and "never really die." Finally, Davies treats as metaphor the sometimes ethereal and elusive nature of Hollywood fame and success. "Everybody's a dreamer, everybody's a star" is followed by a cautionary note to the listener - those who find success must maintain their guard, because "success walks hand-in-hand with failure along the Hollywood Boulevard."
"Celluloid Heroes" and the "Everybody's in Show-Biz" album was followed by Davies' and the Kinks' pioneering but commercially unsuccessful and artistically uneven theatrical incarnation (1973–1976) (see main article The Kinks
).
, the single features the full album version which runs to over six minutes, but the US
single used a more radio-friendly edit which is almost two minutes shorter. Although their previous single had been a top 20 hit on the UK singles chart
, "Celluloid Heroes" failed to chart. Although not a hit single, the track received consistent airplay on AOR
radio stations in the US through the 1970s and into the 1980s. Airplay in recent years has been scarce with classic rock
stations often favoring only the bands' top 40 hits; yet it is the song of choice to play when these stations mark the passing of a Hollywood star. This, and Internet radio
's "deep cuts" stations ensure its future play.
"Celluloid Heroes" is a firm favorite among Kinks aficionados, and is regarded, lyrically and melodically, as one of Davies' most mature and moving works. The song is one of the few where the talent of John Gosling
(on Hammond organ
) is put at the front as a key element of the song. "Celluloid Heroes" demonstrates a sensitive, emotional side to Davies' writing not often seen by those only familiar with The Kinks' generally jauntier, carefree singles output. At the time of its release, the song was one of the longest for the band, peaking at 6 minutes, while most of Davies' songs had rarely surpassed 4 minutes. The song was a standard in their concert play lists until they disbanded in 1996; appearing on the band's live album One for the Road
(1980), it features a lengthy instrumental intro, a rare occurrence in the Kinks commercial canon. The song continues to be featured in Ray Davies' solo shows, and was chosen to be re-recorded for the 2009 album The Kinks Choral Collection
. The song was also the title track of a 1976 collection featuring material originally released while recording for the RCA label, The Kinks' Greatest: Celluloid Heroes.
recorded this song for her all-covers album The Hit List
.
A live performance of this track (featuring Ray Davies) appeared as the B-side to Bon Jovi
's 2002 single "Misunderstood
".
A remake of this song by Steve Vai
is included on his album The Elusive Light and Sound, volume 1
.
Finnish singer-songwriter Juice Leskinen
translated and recorded this song in Finnish as Paperitähdet.
Renaissance-inspired folk rock band Blackmore's Night
recorded the song for their album Autumn Sky.
The song appeared on Ray Davies' 2010 album See My Friends
, featuring Jon Bon Jovi
and Richie Sambora
.
Australian actor Reg Livermore
performs the song in his Betty Blokk-Buster Follies show, the song also appears on the soundtrack.
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
and written by their lead vocalist and principal songwriter, Ray Davies
Ray Davies
Ray Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
. It debuted on their 1972 album Everybody's in Show-Biz
Everybody's in Show-Biz
Everybody's in Show-Biz is the tenth studio album released by English rock group The Kinks, released in 1972. A double album, the first disc features studio recordings, while the second disc documents a two-night Carnegie Hall stand....
.
Lyrical themes
The song names several famous actors of 20th century film, and also mentions Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
's Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood Boulevard
-Revitalization:In recent years successful efforts have been made at cleaning up Hollywood Blvd., as the street had gained a reputation for crime and seediness. Central to these efforts was the construction of the Hollywood and Highland shopping center and adjacent Kodak Theatre in 2001...
, alluding to its Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...
. The actors mentioned are Greta Garbo
Greta Garbo
Greta Garbo , born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson, was a Swedish film actress. Garbo was an international star and icon during Hollywood's silent and classic periods. Many of Garbo's films were sensational hits, and all but three were profitable...
, Rudolph Valentino
Rudolph Valentino
Rudolph Valentino was an Italian actor, and early pop icon. A sex symbol of the 1920s, Valentino was known as the "Latin Lover". He starred in several well-known silent films including The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, The Sheik, Blood and Sand, The Eagle and Son of the Sheik...
, Bela Lugosi
Béla Lugosi
Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó , commonly known as Bela Lugosi, was a Hungarian actor of stage and screen. He was best known for having played Count Dracula in the Broadway play and subsequent film version, as well as having starred in several of Ed Wood's low budget films in the last years of his...
, Bette Davis
Bette Davis
Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis was an American actress of film, television and theater. Noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic characters, she was highly regarded for her performances in a range of film genres, from contemporary crime melodramas to historical and period films and occasional...
, Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
, George Sanders
George Sanders
George Sanders was a British actor.George Sanders may also refer to:*George Sanders , Victoria Cross recipient in World War I...
, and Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney is an American film actor and entertainer whose film, television, and stage appearances span nearly his entire lifetime. He has won multiple awards, including an Honorary Academy Award, a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award...
although some versions of the song, including recorded concert versions, are performed with fewer verses and, thus, Marilyn Monroe, George Sanders, and Mickey Rooney are left out.
Davies uses the technique of personification (of the Walk's concrete stars) to create an intimate connection with the subject matter. The lyric has a warm, melancholy and nostalgic feel, and is driven by three underlying themes. First, "Celluloid Heroes" specifically cites the inhumane and exploitative manner in which the film industry can use its stars. Second, Davies suggests the escapist fantasy world of movies as an attractive respite. "I wish my life were a non-stop Hollywood movie show," he writes, "because celluloid heroes never feel any pain," and "never really die." Finally, Davies treats as metaphor the sometimes ethereal and elusive nature of Hollywood fame and success. "Everybody's a dreamer, everybody's a star" is followed by a cautionary note to the listener - those who find success must maintain their guard, because "success walks hand-in-hand with failure along the Hollywood Boulevard."
"Celluloid Heroes" and the "Everybody's in Show-Biz" album was followed by Davies' and the Kinks' pioneering but commercially unsuccessful and artistically uneven theatrical incarnation (1973–1976) (see main article The Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
).
Release and reception
The track was released as the second single from the album. In the UKUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the single features the full album version which runs to over six minutes, but the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
single used a more radio-friendly edit which is almost two minutes shorter. Although their previous single had been a top 20 hit on the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, "Celluloid Heroes" failed to chart. Although not a hit single, the track received consistent airplay on AOR
Album-oriented rock
Album-oriented rock is an American FM radio format focusing on album tracks by rock artists.-Music played:Most radio formats are based on a select, tight rotation of hit singles...
radio stations in the US through the 1970s and into the 1980s. Airplay in recent years has been scarce with classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
stations often favoring only the bands' top 40 hits; yet it is the song of choice to play when these stations mark the passing of a Hollywood star. This, and Internet radio
Internet radio
Internet radio is an audio service transmitted via the Internet...
's "deep cuts" stations ensure its future play.
"Celluloid Heroes" is a firm favorite among Kinks aficionados, and is regarded, lyrically and melodically, as one of Davies' most mature and moving works. The song is one of the few where the talent of John Gosling
John Gosling
not to be confused with John Gostling John Gosling , is an English classically trained organist and pianist....
(on Hammond organ
Hammond organ
The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
) is put at the front as a key element of the song. "Celluloid Heroes" demonstrates a sensitive, emotional side to Davies' writing not often seen by those only familiar with The Kinks' generally jauntier, carefree singles output. At the time of its release, the song was one of the longest for the band, peaking at 6 minutes, while most of Davies' songs had rarely surpassed 4 minutes. The song was a standard in their concert play lists until they disbanded in 1996; appearing on the band's live album One for the Road
One for the Road (The Kinks album)
In their brief review, Allmusic wrote that "One for the Road is a fascinating document of trailblazing elder statesmen who paved the way for heavy metal and punk, but never felt a glorious pop song was out of their grasp."-Track listing:...
(1980), it features a lengthy instrumental intro, a rare occurrence in the Kinks commercial canon. The song continues to be featured in Ray Davies' solo shows, and was chosen to be re-recorded for the 2009 album The Kinks Choral Collection
The Kinks Choral Collection
The Kinks Choral Collection is an album, released 15 June 2009 in the UK and 10 November 2009 in the US, by Ray Davies and the Crouch End Festival Chorus...
. The song was also the title track of a 1976 collection featuring material originally released while recording for the RCA label, The Kinks' Greatest: Celluloid Heroes.
Cover versions
Joan JettJoan Jett
Joan Jett is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.She is best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts including their hit cover "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982, as well as for their other popular...
recorded this song for her all-covers album The Hit List
The Hit List (Joan Jett album)
The Hit List is a cover album by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts . The album was released in 1990. All of the tracks are covers of famous songs.-Track listing:...
.
A live performance of this track (featuring Ray Davies) appeared as the B-side to Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
's 2002 single "Misunderstood
Misunderstood (Bon Jovi song)
"Misunderstood" is a single by American rock band Bon Jovi, released in 2002. It is from the album Bounce.The song was featured on the 2003 Brazilian soap opera Mulheres Apaixonadas as a theme of the love couple...
".
A remake of this song by Steve Vai
Steve Vai
Steven Siro "Steve" Vai is a three time Grammy Award-winning American guitarist, songwriter and producer who has sold over 15 million albums. Steve Vai is widely known as a flamboyant guitar virtuoso....
is included on his album The Elusive Light and Sound, volume 1
The Elusive Light and Sound, volume 1
The Elusive Light and Sound, Vol. 1 is a 2002 compilation album by Steve Vai. The album collects many of the songs that Vai recorded for movies and television shows.The album is Volume 1 in "The Secret Jewel Box".-Track listing:*1...
.
Finnish singer-songwriter Juice Leskinen
Juice Leskinen
Juhani Juice Leskinen , better known as Juice Leskinen , was one of the most prominent Finnish singer-songwriters of the late 20th century. From the early 1970s onward he released nearly 30 full-length albums, as well as writing song lyrics for dozens of Finnish artists...
translated and recorded this song in Finnish as Paperitähdet.
Renaissance-inspired folk rock band Blackmore's Night
Blackmore's Night
Blackmore's Night is an English-American traditional folk rock duo led by Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night .-Early:...
recorded the song for their album Autumn Sky.
The song appeared on Ray Davies' 2010 album See My Friends
See My Friends (album)
-Track listing:#"Better Things" - Ray Davies and Bruce Springsteen#"Celluloid Heroes" - Ray Davies, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora#"Days/This Time Tomorrow" - Ray Davies and Mumford & Sons#"A Long Way from Home" - Ray Davies, Lucinda Williams and The 88...
, featuring Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as the founder, occasional rhythm guitarist, and lead singer of rock band Bon Jovi, which was named after him...
and Richie Sambora
Richie Sambora
Richard Stephen "Richie" Sambora is an American rock guitarist, producer, musician, singer, and songwriter who is the longtime lead guitarist of the rock band, Bon Jovi. He and frontman Jon Bon Jovi form the primary songwriting unit of the band...
.
Australian actor Reg Livermore
Reg Livermore
Reginald Dawson Livermore AO is an Australian actor, singer, theatrical performer and television presenter.-Childhood:From a young age, Livermore demonstrated an interest in the performing arts...
performs the song in his Betty Blokk-Buster Follies show, the song also appears on the soundtrack.