"Destroyer" by The Kinks

Face the "Destroyer" with The Kinks! This powerful 1979 track blends Hard Rock intensity with sharp New Wave edge. Driven by a familiar yet menacing guitar riff echoing their own past hits, it’s a paranoid anthem showcasing Ray Davies' unique songwriting during their late 70s resurgence.

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.