At the moment, I’m scratching my head because I can’t remember for the life of me where I heard this song for the first time. I watch a lot of TV and movies so it’s possible I heard “Act Nice and Gentle” there. In any event, I’m making it a priority to share this song because it really caught my ear. The version I heard first is by two man group The Black Keys.
Apparently, this song was originally recorded by The Kinks and was the flip side to “Waterloo Sunset.” Both versions feature some twangy, country guitar licks.
Once I found out this was a Kinks’ song, it made sense to me. “Oh yeah… I can hear Ray Davies saying or singing or writing those lines.” I can’t recall the word “civility” in any other songs I know.
The feel of this song reminds me of a couple of others you might know. The first one is “Looking Out My Back Door” by Credeence Clearwater Revival. Both songs have a stripped down feel with what I would call steady, nonchalant drums. What’s interesting about The Black Keys’ version is the guitarist is tuned down a full step, which is something John Fogerty did on more than one CCR track. I really like the line about false eyelashes…not sure if that’s technically the bridge of the song or just part of a verse. In any event, THAT part reminds me of a chord change in the Blondie song “Heart of Glass.”
Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!
Mojo Horizon 
I don’t remember this one, you really got me…
I can see the comparisons you referenced.
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Thanks, Randy!
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I love that song…but I don’t remember it. The Black Keys are one of the few modern bands that I really like. They always do the song justice. I get the “Looking Out My Back Door” feeling also.
Sorry it took me so long to see this…our electricity was out from Friday to last night…not fun.
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No worries…I hope you’re up and running again. When I was in college recruiting, I remember an incoming freshman who was a big fan of The Black Keys. Seems like the bass-less, stripped down sound was a trend for a while.
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