"Predictable" was first released in the UK as a single, backed with "Back to Front". The single was unsuccessful, despite the popularity of its predecessor, "
Better Things". However, in America, it was only released on the
Give the People What They Want album (and not as a single). Robert Christgau said that "Predictable" was "self-fulfilling", implying that the track was not unique.
Music video In order to promote the track, Ray Davies performed in a video for "Predictable" in London. Davies is the sole performer, dressing up in several different styles from the 1930s to the 1980s. Produced by Michael Hamlyn, as well as directed by Julien Temple of midnight Films, the video first appeared on the American television channel MTV in December 1981 (as well as
Jacques Martin, a French show, on the 13th of said month). The video was one of many that the Kinks filmed, with other promotional clips being filmed for "
Come Dancing", "
Don't Forget to Dance", "
State of Confusion", and "
Do It Again", among others. ==References==