All Time Favorite MusicThe Kinks | God Save The Kinks! This legendary British Invasion band, led by Ray Davies' brilliant and unique songwriting, profoundly influenced rock music across generations. From groundbreaking early guitar riffs to witty social commentary and enduring pop hits spanning decades, The Kinks remain one of rock's most original acts.
All Time Favorite Music
Their remarkable catalog features revolutionary, riff-driven rock anthems that launched their career globally, alongside iconic story-songs tackling unique and controversial subjects with unmatched wit. Later years brought powerful, driving hard rock tracks and incredibly catchy, nostalgic pop hits that achieved major international chart success across different musical eras, showcasing incredible range.
A major international hit single released in late 1982 (charting significantly into 1983) from The Kinks' album State of Confusion, "Come Dancing" showcased Ray Davies’ enduring songwriting prowess during a new era. The track masterfully blended contemporary New Wave keyboard sounds and Pop Rock accessibility with a nostalgic, almost music-hall narrative quality, creating a unique sound.
"Come Dancing" became one of The Kinks’ biggest triumphs, especially in America where it reached the Top 10, fueled significantly by its engaging story and popular music video on MTV. Its nostalgic look back at bygone dance hall days resonated widely. A beloved classic rock radio staple, the song remains a testament to The Kinks' remarkable longevity and Ray Davies' unique songwriting perspective.
SONG MEANING: Inspired by Ray Davies' fond memories of his older sisters, particularly one named Rene, going out dancing at local dance halls (like the Ilford Palais) in their youth, "Come Dancing" is a nostalgic reflection on that lost era. It contrasts the past glamour and excitement ("They'd glide across the floor... They knew what they came for") with the present reality where those venues have disappeared ("Now the palais is a supermarket") and the people have grown older, wistfully remembering those vibrant days.
Released as a major international single in 1970 and featured on the album Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One, "Lola" marked a significant success for The Kinks. Its blend of acoustic folk-rock verses and a driving pop-rock chorus showcased Ray Davies' brilliant narrative songwriting and the band's unique sound.
Driven by its memorable acoustic guitar riff and singalong chorus, "Lola" pushed lyrical boundaries for rock music in 1970. This clever mix of pop accessibility and nuanced folk-rock storytelling cemented its place as a classic rock staple and a defining moment in The Kinks' legendary career.
SONG MEANING: The song tells the story of a young man's confusing but intriguing encounter with Lola, a person he meets in a club who presents as female but is biologically male (transgender or drag queen). It explores themes of attraction, gender ambiguity ("walk like a woman and talk like a man"), and naive discovery, handled with warmth and observational wit.
Released as a single in 1964, "You Really Got Me" catapulted The Kinks to international stardom. This electrifying track, featuring Ray Davies' urgent vocals and that unforgettable fuzzy guitar tone (achieved by slashing an amplifier cone), became a defining anthem of the British Invasion and early hard rock.
Cited as a major influence by countless bands, this 1964 garage rock classic changed everything with its simple, heavy riff and raw energy. Considered a pivotal proto-punk and hard rock milestone, "You Really Got Me" remains one of the most important and influential rock songs ever recorded.
SONG MEANING: The lyrics express an overwhelming, almost disorienting infatuation with someone. The singer declares how intensely captivated they are ("Girl, you really got me goin' / You got me so I don't know what I'm doin'"), emphasizing the powerful, all-consuming effect the person has on them.
Featured on The Kinks' 1979 album Low Budget, "Destroyer" captured their potent arena rock sound from that period. Written by Ray Davies, the song combines driving Hard Rock energy with contemporary New Wave production sensibilities. It's famously built around a central guitar riff intentionally repurposed from their own 1964 classic "All Day and All of the Night."
"Destroyer" stands out with its dark, paranoid lyrics depicting a confrontation with a menacing figure, possibly a doppelgänger or inner demon ("Paranoia, the destroyer"). Its driving rhythm and the self-referential classic riff create a tense, compelling atmosphere. Though not one of their biggest chart singles, it remains a strong example of The Kinks' late 70s power.
SONG MEANING: "Destroyer" delves into themes of paranoia and a threatening confrontation, potentially with an inner demon, a menacing alter ego, or a literal dangerous figure ("Met a man... He looked like my twin / He was grinning like a fool"). The lyrics express deep-seated fear and anxiety ("Keeps me running... Keeps me hiding"), personifying "Paranoia" itself as the destructive force haunting the narrator. The use of the "All Day and All of the Night" riff adds a layer of inescapable self-reference.
