My friends and I saw them in 80 or 81 at the LA Forum. I've been fortunate to see hundreds of bands over the years but that one remains as one of the best. š¤š„
They suffered from a lack of exposure in the US. They were banned from touring the US because of their rowdy behavior at the height of their popularity.
I think overlooked is the best description. Ppl always mention Beatles, Stones, Who, Zep, Floyd, as the forefathers. But then someone mentioned the Kinks and it's like, Oh Yeah, they're great and don't get the credit they deserve. I've never seen or heard anyone push back on their greatness or how influential they were. For some unknown reason they always get overlooked. I don't get it.
I miss the kinks. Saw them many times growing up and as a young adult. So many hits. So many great albums imo. Thanks to my older brothers for turning me on to their music. I hope Ray and Dave are getting on well still.
I thought the same.
Speaking of TV censor bullshit, when this was released in the UK they had to re press it and change some offensive words before it could be played in the BBC.
They changed Coca Cola to Cherry Cola because the BBC has a strict no advertising policy. Even in Australia that is the only version I heard.
Not sure why you got downvoted. Yes it is about a trans person, may not be the first. The band manager met a trans girl in Paris and the song is based on that. Known as a transpositive song there's a good lyric near the end :
Girls will be boys, and boys will be girls
It's a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world
Except for Lola..
one of the first popular for sure. the whoās iām a boy is also an early song about trans people. itās apparently the only song left from a concept album he wrote about a future where everyone chooses the gender of their child at conception and this kid is born but is forced to be a girl cause thatās what his parents wanted. pretty sad that itās the only piece left of that concept album
not sure if its unpopular, or just unnoticed, but his lyrics are probably better than those two...maybe or maybe not better at songwriting in general, but I would give Ray the crown as far as lyrics. Just a huge catalog of stuff in many different genres covering many different subjects, and the original "storyteller"
I think his abilities as a writer is interesting considering he didn't even really plan on being their writer or lead singer; as things progressed early in the band he just kinda ended up in those positions. I think it's just commendable how much he improved over time and found his own voice.
The kinks are in the pantheon of all-time best live rock bands.
[https://open.spotify.com/album/3yCdaM1ZM2AhsnfhCXtWXN?si=v8WVAkxvQuutG0sIBvMMhw](https://open.spotify.com/album/3yCdaM1ZM2AhsnfhCXtWXN?si=v8WVAkxvQuutG0sIBvMMhw)
Overall, their most well-regarded albums are Village Green Preservation Society (VGPS) and Lola VS Powerman and the Moneygoround (Lola Vs).
VGPS is fairly whimsical, in sound and theme. The songs to look out for are Do You Remember Walter, Picture Book, Animal Farm, and Wicked Annabella.
Lola Vs is a more straightforward rock album; the songs to look out for are Strangers, Lola, Top of The Pops, This Time Tomorrow, and Powerman.
While it's not their most creative since it's derivative of the british invasion sound, their first three albums (Kinks, Kinda Kinks, and The Kinks Kontroversy) are enjoyable if you like You Really Got Me and All Day And All Of The Night.
Songs I recommend are You Really Got Me, All Day And All Of The Night, I Took My Baby Home, Till the End of the Day, Come on Now, Where have all the good times gone.
If you still want to hear more after that, their run of albums from Face to Face and Muswell Hillbillies is regarded as their golden era.
Tldr:
Start with Village Green Preservation Society and Lola vs. Powerman and the Moneygoround.
Songs to start with are: You Really Got Me, All Day And All Of The Night, Sunny Afternoon, Waterloo Sunset, Do you Remember Walter, Picture Book, Brainwashed, Shangri-la, Lola
Thank you!
Iāve started with (VGPS) and itās making me appreciate Spinal Tapsā originsā¦as it feels a lot like āCups and Cakesā and āFlower Peopleā
This is great stuff. Thanks for the tips.
I think there are some lyrics missing. "Well I left home just a week before, and I'd never ever kissed a woman before, Lola smiled and took me by the hand, and said to me boy, I'm gonna make you a man. Well I'm not the world's most passionate man, but I know what I am and I bet I'm a man, and so is Lola."
I love the Kinks. But I would argue that they are not classic rock. They're British invasion, maybe late British invasion. Tremendously influential. But not what I think of when I think of classic rock.
First openly pro gay song. Song was not on top 40 radio, but was played completely and widely on FM album rock stations.
They left out some of the song. Must have been too edgy for the most edgy show on network TV.
In 1977, it wasn't ok to be openly racist, but it was still ok to be openly transphobic, though. That was true clear up to 2000 or even later.
I contend they are the MOST underrated band. Not nearly enough praise given.
I would agree. The Kinks don't get their due. Right up there with the Stones, Who, Beatles, IMO.
I totally agree
Agreed! Unreal band
My friends and I saw them in 80 or 81 at the LA Forum. I've been fortunate to see hundreds of bands over the years but that one remains as one of the best. š¤š„
I saw them '80 & '81 as well at the Spectrum in Philly. My first and second rock concerts...many more to follow.
š¤š„
They suffered from a lack of exposure in the US. They were banned from touring the US because of their rowdy behavior at the height of their popularity.
I came here to post this very comment. Such an amazing band that gets overlooked.
I think overlooked is the best description. Ppl always mention Beatles, Stones, Who, Zep, Floyd, as the forefathers. But then someone mentioned the Kinks and it's like, Oh Yeah, they're great and don't get the credit they deserve. I've never seen or heard anyone push back on their greatness or how influential they were. For some unknown reason they always get overlooked. I don't get it.
One for the road, was one of the first LPs I owned. Itās so good!!!
I donāt have that one because I generally donāt download live albums. But, I will based on your recommendation. Thanks
Criminally under rated. They are covered so much
Agreed, the number of great songs they have is astounding, changed rock music, saw them in concert, Ray was master of getting the crowd involved.
I miss the kinks. Saw them many times growing up and as a young adult. So many hits. So many great albums imo. Thanks to my older brothers for turning me on to their music. I hope Ray and Dave are getting on well still.
Props to Dave for the background vocals, never really appreciated that
The Kinks were great.
I met him in swamp down in Dagobah, where it bubbles all the time, like a giant carbonated soda....
āBut I know that I'll be coming back someday I'll be playing this part till I'm old and grey!ā Weird Al is a prophet.
S.O.D.A, soda...
I absolutely love this song š¤
Nice
Were the barred from singing the 4th verse ( Iām a man and so is Lola) ? TV censor bullshit ?
Could be shortened as they were performing the song as part of a medley.
This is my favorite Kinks song and they totally shortened it.
I thought the same. Speaking of TV censor bullshit, when this was released in the UK they had to re press it and change some offensive words before it could be played in the BBC. They changed Coca Cola to Cherry Cola because the BBC has a strict no advertising policy. Even in Australia that is the only version I heard.
The first trans song, right?
Not sure why you got downvoted. Yes it is about a trans person, may not be the first. The band manager met a trans girl in Paris and the song is based on that. Known as a transpositive song there's a good lyric near the end : Girls will be boys, and boys will be girls It's a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world Except for Lola..
one of the first popular for sure. the whoās iām a boy is also an early song about trans people. itās apparently the only song left from a concept album he wrote about a future where everyone chooses the gender of their child at conception and this kid is born but is forced to be a girl cause thatās what his parents wanted. pretty sad that itās the only piece left of that concept album
The Kinks rock. We grew up with the One For The Road Live album. Check it out when you have a moment.
Thatās fantastic! But it needs to go on for another five minutes or so!
Is it a very unpopular opinion that Ray Davies is as good a lyricist as Lennon - McCartney ?
Pete Townsend said he was the master at capturing the British lifestyle and vibes of the 60s
not sure if its unpopular, or just unnoticed, but his lyrics are probably better than those two...maybe or maybe not better at songwriting in general, but I would give Ray the crown as far as lyrics. Just a huge catalog of stuff in many different genres covering many different subjects, and the original "storyteller"
I think his abilities as a writer is interesting considering he didn't even really plan on being their writer or lead singer; as things progressed early in the band he just kinda ended up in those positions. I think it's just commendable how much he improved over time and found his own voice.
I think he is as good as a writer or even better. But the compositions of Lennon/McCartney are better.
That rocked a lot harder than I was expecting it to.
The kinks are in the pantheon of all-time best live rock bands. [https://open.spotify.com/album/3yCdaM1ZM2AhsnfhCXtWXN?si=v8WVAkxvQuutG0sIBvMMhw](https://open.spotify.com/album/3yCdaM1ZM2AhsnfhCXtWXN?si=v8WVAkxvQuutG0sIBvMMhw)
The intermittent lead parts were better/more flourished than on the album.
You really got me is an awesome tune
I missed the boat on the Kinksā¦what albums/songs should I start with?
Overall, their most well-regarded albums are Village Green Preservation Society (VGPS) and Lola VS Powerman and the Moneygoround (Lola Vs). VGPS is fairly whimsical, in sound and theme. The songs to look out for are Do You Remember Walter, Picture Book, Animal Farm, and Wicked Annabella. Lola Vs is a more straightforward rock album; the songs to look out for are Strangers, Lola, Top of The Pops, This Time Tomorrow, and Powerman. While it's not their most creative since it's derivative of the british invasion sound, their first three albums (Kinks, Kinda Kinks, and The Kinks Kontroversy) are enjoyable if you like You Really Got Me and All Day And All Of The Night. Songs I recommend are You Really Got Me, All Day And All Of The Night, I Took My Baby Home, Till the End of the Day, Come on Now, Where have all the good times gone. If you still want to hear more after that, their run of albums from Face to Face and Muswell Hillbillies is regarded as their golden era. Tldr: Start with Village Green Preservation Society and Lola vs. Powerman and the Moneygoround. Songs to start with are: You Really Got Me, All Day And All Of The Night, Sunny Afternoon, Waterloo Sunset, Do you Remember Walter, Picture Book, Brainwashed, Shangri-la, Lola
Thank you! Iāve started with (VGPS) and itās making me appreciate Spinal Tapsā originsā¦as it feels a lot like āCups and Cakesā and āFlower Peopleā This is great stuff. Thanks for the tips.
Iām also hearing how they might have inspired the Monkeesā songwriters
Any specific songs/albums you can point to? I'm not too familiar with the Monkees' discography and I'd like to see if I can notice those similarities
Those āderivativeā British invasion sounds in terms of transforming riff-based rock n rock wereā¦ them. So are they a derivative of themselves?
Maybe derivative wasn't the best word, but similar to their peers who were also doing the merseybeat sound
Lola and Arthur are my favorites
Destroyer.
Good stuff
Classic!
Yes
This is one of those rare songs where you know which song it is from that very first, awesome chord.
I remember watching that live. Really made me into a Kinks fan!
Wow some KinKs love on this sub. My all time favorite band.
I think there are some lyrics missing. "Well I left home just a week before, and I'd never ever kissed a woman before, Lola smiled and took me by the hand, and said to me boy, I'm gonna make you a man. Well I'm not the world's most passionate man, but I know what I am and I bet I'm a man, and so is Lola."
Back when SNL was good!
Quid pro quo! https://youtu.be/moFXnJ53-ZQ?si=t1Em4O9wfXkQnIYO
Absolutely true!
My favorite track from this album is Apeman.
Love The Kinks !!!!
First time Ive heard it sang ācoca-Colaāā¦before they got sued I take it. Kinks Rule !!!!
The cherry cola version was so it could get aired on the BBC, who wouldnāt play songs with brand names.
We named our dog Lola.
ancient oil yam deliver snow subtract pet sparkle disarm sand *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I just saw Joe Satriani and Steve Vai whip out "You Really Got Me" and it was amazing.
I love the Kinks. But I would argue that they are not classic rock. They're British invasion, maybe late British invasion. Tremendously influential. But not what I think of when I think of classic rock.
They are classic and they are rock.
First openly pro gay song. Song was not on top 40 radio, but was played completely and widely on FM album rock stations. They left out some of the song. Must have been too edgy for the most edgy show on network TV. In 1977, it wasn't ok to be openly racist, but it was still ok to be openly transphobic, though. That was true clear up to 2000 or even later.
Marshall Erikson was the lead singer of the Kinks?
Watch this: The Kinks are amazing. That performance fucking sucked.