This song, from the Diver Down album, is a cover of a classic The Kinks song with the guitar solo taken from an earlier, unreleased song, “Young and Wild.”
Dave: “We’re capable of playing six different [Kink’s songs] – because at one time, back in our bar band days, I bought a double album from KTel or something that had 30 Kinks tunes on it. We learned all of one side and played them into the dirt during the club gigs, you know, twice a night each one because they sounded good and they were great to dance to, etc., etc. So they’ve always used them for soundchecks and warmups. And not to mention the message implied there, whether it might be superficial to some people or not, exists these days more than ever because, what with so many businessmen on stage playing business music. Where have all the good times gone? I’m serious. It happened to punk rock a lot, it happened to new wave, it happened to reggae and heavy metal and on and on – a lot of business people just want to make a buck, and they’re becoming craftsmen more than songwriters.”
Eddie: “The solo was more sounds than lines. I ran the edge of my pick up and down the strings for some of those effects. I think I used my Echoplex in that song.”
Lyrics
All my life I’ve never stopped to worry ’bout a thing,
Open up and shout it out, an’ never try to sing,
Wondering if I’ve done it wrong,
Will this depression last for long, won’t you tell me,
Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.
Once we had an easy ride and always felt the same,
Time was on our side and we had everything to gain,
This could be like yesterday,
Is thst me with your happydays,
Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.
Ma and pa look back on all the things they used to do,
Never had no money and they always told the truth,
Daddy didnt need no little toys,
Mommy didnt need no little boys, Wont you tell me,
Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.
Ow!
Yesterday was such an easy game for you to play,
Ah but then lets face it, things are easier today,
Yes you need some bringing down,
Get your feet back on the ground,
Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.
Where have all the good times gone.