Peak
36
Weeks
6
Score
574
Chart Year
1966
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This Ray Davies composition can be interpreted either as a tribute to Carnaby Street and its ethos, or a gentle send-up of the contemporary British fashion scene. Recorded February 2, 1966, and running 3:05, it was released on the Pye label in the UK on February 25 backed by "Sittin' On My Sofa," and on Reprise in the United States on April 27. The band's 10th UK single, it was produced by Shel Talmy. According to the online discography compiled by Kinks fan Dave Emlen, it was re-released in the US in August/September the following year, still on Reprise but backed by "Who'll Be The Next In Line." "Dedicated Follower Of Fashion" is one of the band's best-known songs, and has been included on a number of albums. Although Carnaby Street dates to the 17th century, like the Kings Road, Chelsea, it will be linked forever to the fashion explosion that happened particularly in Britain during the so-called Swinging '60s. In spite of its chart success, not everyone in the Davies camp was enamored with the song. After Kinks bass player Peter Quaife died in June 2010, his obituary in the London Independent quoted him on it thus: "an incredibly boring song to play, and I had to play it night after night." >> According to a 2011 NME interview with Ray Davies, despite its fey overtones, the song is actually a scathing attack on a fop who made fun of the singer's trousers. Producer Shel Talmy helped frame The Kinks' raucous guitar sound, and also had a great ear for a hit song. In a Songfacts interview with Talmy, he said: "Ray Davies was one of the more prolific songwriters I have ever worked with. He could literally write a dozen songs overnight if he felt the mood. We used to get together about once a month or once every week or two and go through the stuff he had. I would pick out the ones that I thought were real far along, and the ones that were not so far along, and the ones that would probably never be far along. 'Dedicated Follower Of Fashion' was one that stood out immediately."
They seek him here, they seek him there, His clothes are loud, but never square. It will make or break him so he's got to buy the best, 'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion. And when he does his little rounds, 'Round the boutiques of London Town, Eagerly pursuing all the latest fads and trends, 'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion. Oh yes he is (oh yes he is), oh yes he is (oh yes he is). He thinks he is a flower to be looked at, And when he pulls his frilly nylon panties right up tight, He feels a dedicated follower of fashion. Oh yes he is (oh yes he is), oh yes he is (oh yes he is). There's one thing that he loves and that is flattery. One week he's in polka-dots, the next week he is in stripes. 'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion. They seek him here, they seek him there, In Regent Street and Leicester Square. Everywhere the Carnabetian army marches on, Each one an dedicated follower of fashion. Oh yes he is (oh yes he is), oh yes he is (oh yes he is). His world is built 'round discotheques and parties. This pleasure-seeking individual always looks his best 'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion. Oh yes he is (oh yes he is), oh yes he is (oh yes he is). He flits from shop to shop just like a butterfly. In matters of the cloth he is as fickle as can be, 'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion. He's a dedicated follower of fashion. He's a dedicated follower of fashion.
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 21, 1966 | 80 | 46 |
| 2 | May 28, 1966 | 60 | 66 |
| 3 | Jun 4, 1966 | 46 | 80 |
| 4 | Jun 11, 1966 | 41 | 85 |
| 5 | Jun 18, 1966 | 36 | 90 |
| 6 | Jun 25, 1966 | 44 | 82 |