| "Heart of Gold" | |
|---|---|
| Song byThe Kinks | |
| from the albumState of Confusion | |
| Released | 10 June 1983 |
| Recorded | January 1983 at Konk Studios, London |
| Genre | Rock |
| Length | 4:02 |
| Label | Arista |
| Songwriter | Ray Davies |
| Producer | Ray Davies |
"Heart of Gold" is a song by the Britishrock bandthe Kinks. Written byRay Davies, the song appeared on the band's 1983 albumState of Confusion.
"Heart of Gold" is anacousticballad inhalf-time.[1][2] Music criticJohn Mendelsohn describes it as beingcountry music-ish.[2]Musician magazine finds the guitar work reminiscent of the Kinks earlier albumMuswell Hillbillies.[3] It was, according to Ray Davies, written about the birth of his andPretenders front womanChrissie Hynde's daughter, Natalie, in 1983.[1][4][5] According to Davies, it was also inspired by a comment byAnne, Princess Royal in which she told intrusive photographers to "naff off".[1][3][5] Davies had stated "I wrote about it imagining I was a photographer, but really it was about Chrissie having her first baby. Both she and Princess Anne seem to be quite anonymous people at times."[1] However, Mendelsohn does not find the claim that the song was inspired by Princess Anne to be very credible.[2]Musician describes the song's protagonist as being "tough but tender".[3] Mendelsohn describes her as having "an abrasive exterior and a new baby daughter".[2] The song was recorded in early 1983, at the same time as "Young Conservatives" (which precedes the song inState of Confusion's running order).[4]
"Heart of Gold" was first released as the ninth track onState of Confusion (eighth on non-cassette versions of the album). It has since appeared on compilation albums such asCome Dancing with The Kinks[6] andPicture Book,[7] as well as the box setThe Arista Years.
The song was cited as a highlight fromState of Confusion byAllMusic criticStephen Thomas Erlewine, who also described it as "charming".[8][6]Musician also found it to be one of the "best moments" from the album.[3] Music criticJohn Mendelsohn claimed that "in a better world, 'Heart of Gold'...would have been an even bigger hit than 'Come Dancing.'"[2] Mendelsohn particularly praised the "brightacoustic guitars and grin-inducingDavies brothers harmonies on thechoruses".[2]
