Released 3 June 1977 Recorded Begun 1976 Length 5:32 | Format 7" single Genre Rock | |
B-side "Sleepless Night" (U.K.)
"Life Goes On" (U.S.) | ||
"Juke Box Music" is a track from The Kinks' 1977 album, Sleepwalker. It was one of the first tracks recorded in The Kinks' Konk recording complex. The song was also performed for Whistle Test in 1977.
About
"Juke Box Music" is about a music fan who believes in the lyrics of the songs that she plays repeatedly on the juke box. Rolling Stone says that the topic "should be a pathetic song, yet Davies has us tapping our feet, singing along." The song was released as the second single from Sleepwalker, backed with "Sleepless Night" in the U.K. and Germany (and with "Life Goes On" in the U.S.). It did not chart. "Juke Box Music" also appeared on Come Dancing with The Kinks.
"Juke Box Music" has been positively reviewed by many critics. Robert Christgau recommended the track in his review of the Sleepwalker album, and Rolling Stone claimed that it "is the best song [on Sleepwalker]." AllMusic called the track "exceptional", and said it was "yet another impressionistic portrait by the Kinks' Ray Davies".