The Kinks were very popular throughout the 1960s. Not Beatles-popular, but a player nonetheless. They had a baker’s dozen of top-ten hits in the UK by 1970, including multiple number-ones.

It's an era that ended before I was born, but the song paints it rose-coloured for me, and makes me wish that I had been a part of it. Sarah/Manchester I grew up listening to the kinks.

“The first phrase was simply something for [Victoria] to sing along to – la-la, la-lah,” he told Radio 4. “I added the transvestite stuff later.” The Kinks’ lead guitarist, Ray’s ...