| 012 Con ustedes... ¡Las Kinks! |
Raymond Douglas Davies ha sido uno de los compositores de música inglesa más prominentes y determinantes del Siglo XX. ¿Quién iba a pensar que este “montañés” de Muswell, que irrumpiera con su banda en 1965, con el sonido innovador y trepidante de “You Really Got Me”, se convertiría al poco tiempo en el cronista musical más certero de su Inglaterra natal? Es muy posible que variadas situaciones que se dieron en el entorno de The Kinks hayan precipitado las inclinaciones de Ray hacia escribir sobre el hombre común que poblaba, sobre todo, la isla central del Imperio Británico en unos tiempos en los que la tendencia de sus contemporáneos se decantaba por la sicodelia. Esto sin pasar por alto que la primera pieza de rock en la que se utilizó el sitar.
Ray Davies y Dave, su hermano y co-fundador de The Kinks, pertenecían a la clase trabajadora, donde la música juega un importante papel y que pudimos verlo, en la inauguración de los juegos olímpicos de Londres cuando Ray Davies interpretó una de sus piezas más conocidas: “Waterloo Sunset”.
Los personajes que pasan por las canciones de The Kinks son hombres anónimos que desarrollan hazañas insignificantes. Godínez llevados al estrellato por la pluma de Ray a través de los sitios más comunes: una calle, una oficina, un salón de clases, el interior de un departamento…
En la historia de la música nunca se había hecho algo similar al impacto de “You Really Got Me”, que marcara el camino a seguir para muchos futuros estrellas del rock como Bruce Springsteen, Ozzy Osbourne, Sting, Metallica, Oasis y Blur, sin contar la influencia para sus contemporáneos como Pete Towshend quien alguna vez dijo que “The Kinks habían llenado el hueco que queríamos ocupar nosotros, con ese tipo de música sencilla, la que siempre ha resultado más difícil de componer” o Jimi Hendrix que les dijo en persona que la pieza era “un paso adelante importante para la música rock”, para David Bowie “hacía que todo mundo se levantara de sus sillas” y Bob Dylan, sostuvo que “era algo nunca antes escuchado”.
Pues como dice J.C. Ramírez Figueroa, sin ser un grupo de masas, sus influencias han sido determinantes en el desarrollo del rock.
Por todo esto, aquí quedan: “Con ustedes… Las Kinks”.
Dedicado a Ray Davies
y a Dave Davies
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You Really Got Me
-Raymond Douglas Davies-
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| You Really Got Me (2010) |
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British Rock
“You Really Got Me” is one of The Kinks‘ signature songs, and has been included in the band’s live act since its inception, and has continued to be played in Ray Davies and Dave Davies’ solo shows. The single was, ironically, the third single from the band’s first album, Kinks, after the Little Richard cover “Long Tall Sally” and a Ray Davies original, “You Still Want Me.” As the story goes, Pete Townshend was very taken with “You Really Got Me”, and recorded a song with his band, then called The High Numbers, called “I Can’t Explain”, and played it through the telephone for Shel Talmy, who produced the song. He agreed to produce the band’s next record, which ended up being The Who’s first album, My Generation. |
You Really Got Me
Boy, you really got me goin' You got me so I don't know what I'm doin' Yeah, you really got me now You got me so I can't sleep at night Boy, you really got me goin' You got me so I don't know what I'm doin' Boy, you really got me now You got me so I can't sleep at night You really got me You really got me You really got me You really got me You got me goin' You got me hummin' I'll get you comin' Nothin' can stop me now Boy, you really got me goin' You got me so I don't know what I'm doin' Yeah, you really got me now You got me so I can't sleep at night Boy, you really got me goin' You got me so I don't know what I'm doin' Boy, you really got me now You got me so I can't sleep at night You really got me You really got me You really got me I'm lookin' in your eyes I see the... on my eyes I really got ya, boy, I got ya It's hard to define, but But you really got me You really got me You really got me You really got me |
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All Day And All Of The Night
-Raymond Douglas Davies-
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| All Day And All Of The Night (2013) |
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British Rock
The second hit by the Kinks – reached #2 in the UK and #7 in the US; it followed “You Really Got Me”, and it is very similar as well – same beat, similar riff and subject. The same beat and riff can be heard on the Kinks 1981 hit, “Destroyer.” > Furthermore, The Kinks sued and won a lawsuit in the UK regarding claiming that The Doors plagiarized the riff and tone for their hit song “Hello I Love You.” |
All Day And All Of The Night
I'm not content to be with you in the daytime Boy I want to be with you all of the time The only time I feel alright is by your side Boy I want to be with you all of the time All day and all of the night All day and all of the night All day and all of the night I believe that you and me last forever Oh yeah, all day and night-time yours, leave me never The only time I feel alright is by your side Boy I want to be with you all of the time All day and all of the night All day and all of the night All day and all of the night I believe that you and me last forever Oh yeah, all day and night-time yours, leave me never The only time I feel alright is by your side Boy I want to be with you all of the time All day and all of the night All day and all of the night All day and all of the night |
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Tired Of Waiting
-Raymond Douglas Davies-
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| If You Knew Suzi... (1979) |
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British Rock
The Kinks' 1965 single off their second album, Kinda Kinks. The song reached #5 on the chart, making it their second biggest hit, behind “Sunny Afternoon”. It reportedly only took a few minutes for Ray Davies to write this song. |
Tired Of Waiting
So tired Tired of waiting Tired of waiting for you So tired Tired of waiting Tired of waiting for you I was a lonely soul I had nobody 'Til I met you But you keep-a me waiting All of the time What can I do? It's your life And you can do what you want Do what you like But please don't keep-a me waiting Please don't keep-a me waiting 'Cause I'm so tired Tired of waiting Tired of waiting for you So tired Tired of waiting Tired of waiting for you I was a lonely soul I had nobody 'Til I met you But you keep-a me waiting All of the time What can I do? It's your life And you can do what you want Do what you like But please don't keep-a me waiting Please don't keep-a me waiting 'Cause I'm so tired Tired of waiting Tired of waiting for you So tired Tired of waiting Tired of waiting for you For you For you |
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Stop Your Sobbing
-Raymond Douglas Davies-
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| Pretenders (1980) |
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British Rock
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Stop Your Sobbing
It is time for you to stop all of your sobbing Yes it's time for you to stop all of your sobbing There's one thing that you gotta do To make me still want you Gotta stop sobbing now Yeah, stop it, stop it Gotta stop sobbing now It is time for you to laugh instead of crying Yes it's time for you to laugh so keep on trying There's one thing that you gotta do To make me still want you Gotta stop sobbing now Yeah, stop it, stop it Gotta stop sobbing now Each little tear that falls from your eye Makes, makes-a me want To take you in my arms and tell you to stop all your sobbing Yes it's time for you to stop all of your sobbing Yes it's time for you to stop all of your sobbing There's one thing that you gotta do To make me still want you Gotta stop sobbing now Yeah, stop it, stop it Gotta stop sobbing now Stop it, stop it Gotta stop sobbing now Sobbin' sobbin' sobbing |
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A Well Respected Man
-Raymond Douglas Davies-
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| No Far From Here (2019) |
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British Rock
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A Well Respected Man
Cause he gets up in the morning And he goes to work at nine And he comes back home at five-thirty Gets the same train every time Cause his world is built round punctuality It never fails And he's oh, so good And he's oh, so fine And he's oh, so healthy In his body and his mind He's a well respected man about town Doing the best things so conservatively And his mother goes to meetings While his father pulls the maid And she stirs the tea with councilors While discussing foreign trade And she passes looks, as well as bills At every suave young man Cause he's oh, so good And he's oh, so fine And he's oh, so healthy In his body and his mind He's a well respected man about town Doing the best things so conservatively And he likes his own backyard And he likes his fags the best Cause he's better than the rest And his own sweat smells the best And he hopes to grab his fathers loot When pater passes on Cause he's oh, so good And he's oh, so fine And he's oh, so healthy In his body and his mind He's a well respected man about town Doing the best things so conservatively And he plays at stocks and shares And he goes to the regatta And he adores the girl next door Cause he's dying to get at her But his mother knows the best about The matrimonial stakes Cause he's oh, so good And he's oh, so fine And he's oh, so healthy In his body and his mind He's a well respected man about town Doing the best things so conservatively |
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Dedicated Follower Of Fashion
-Raymond Douglas Davies-
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| ModRock: The Stage Musical (2013) |
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British Rock
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Dedicated Follower Of Fashion
They seek him here, they seek him there His clothes are loud, but never square It will make or break him so he's got to buy the best 'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion And when he does his little rounds 'Round the boutiques of London Town Eagerly pursuing all the latest fads and trends 'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion Oh yes he is (oh yes he is), oh yes he is (oh yes he is) He thinks he is a flower to be looked at And when he pulls his frilly nylon panties right up tight He feels a dedicated follower of fashion Oh yes he is (oh yes he is), oh yes he is (oh yes he is) There's one thing that he loves and that is flattery One week he's in polka-dots, the next week he is in stripes 'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion They seek him here, they seek him there In Regent Street and Leicester Square Everywhere the Carnabetian army marches on Each one an dedicated follower of fashion Oh yes he is (oh yes he is), oh yes he is (oh yes he is) His world is built 'round discotheques and parties This pleasure-seeking individual always looks his best 'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion Oh yes he is (oh yes he is), oh yes he is (oh yes he is) He flits from shop to shop just like a butterfly In matters of the cloth he is as fickle as can be 'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion He's a dedicated follower of fashion He's a dedicated follower of fashion |
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Sunny Afternoon
-Raymond Douglas Davies-
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| Big Machine (2019) |
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British Rock
The Kinks' biggest hit from 1966, the first in a long string of satirical hits – in this case criticizing the privileged ones who “suffered” from the imposition of the new progressive tax in England. What have the artists said about the song? ‘Sunny Afternoon’ was made very quickly, in the morning, it was one of our most atmospheric sessions. I still like to keep tapes of the few minutes before the final take, things that happen before the session. Maybe it’s superstitious, but I believe if I had done things differently—if I had walked around the studio or gone out—it wouldn’t have turned out that way. The bass player went off and started playing funny little classical things on the bass, more like a lead guitar: and Nicky Hopkins, who was playing piano on that session, was playing ‘Liza'—we always used to play that song—little things like that helped us get into the feeling of the song. At the time I wrote 'Sunny Afternoon’ I couldn’t listen to anything. I was only playing The Greatest Hits of Frank Sinatra and Dylan’s ‘Maggie’s Farm’—I just liked its whole presence, I was playing the Bringing It All Back Home LP along with my Frank Sinatra and Glenn Miller and Bach—it was a strange time. I thought they all helped one another, they went into the chromatic part that’s in the back of the song. I once made a drawing of my voice on ‘Sunny Afternoon.’ It was a leaf with a very thick outline—a big blob in the background—the leaf just cutting through it. -Ray Davies |
Sunny Afternoon
The tax man's taken all my dough And left me in my stately home Lazing on a sunny afternoon And I can't sail my yacht He's taken everythin' I've got All I've got's this sunny afternoon Save me, save me, save me from this squeeze I've got a big fat momma tryin' to break me And I love to live so pleasantly Live this life of luxury Lazing on a sunny afternoon In the summertime, in the summertime In the summertime My girlfriend's run off with my car And gone back to her ma and pa Telling tales of drunkenness and cruelty Now I'm sitting here Sipping at my ice cold beer Lazing on a sunny afternoon Help me, help me, help me sail away Well, give me two good reasons why I ought to stay 'Cause I love to live so pleasantly Live this life of luxury Lazing on a sunny afternoon In the summertime, in the summertime In the summertime Oh, save me, save me, save me from this squeeze I've got a big fat momma tryin' to break me And I love to live so pleasantly Live this life of luxury Lazing on a sunny afternoon In the summertime, in the summertime In the summertime, in the summertime In the summertime |
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Death Of A Clown
-Raymond Douglas Davies / Dave Davies-
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| The End of the World...And on a More Optimistic Note... (2018) |
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British Rock
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Death Of A Clown
My makeup is dry and it clags on my chin I'm drowning my sorrows in whisky and gin The lion tamer's whip doesn't crack anymore The lions they won't fight and the tigers won't roar La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la So let's go and drink to the death of a clown Won't someone help me to break up this crown Let's all drink to the death of a clown Let's all drink to the death of a clown The old fortune teller lies dead on the floor Nobody needs fortunes told anymore The trainer of insects is crouched on his knees And frantically looking for runaway fleas La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la Let's all drink to the death of a clown So won't someone help me to break up this crown Let's all drink to the death of a clown La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la Let's all drink to the death of a clown La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la |
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David Watts
-Raymond Douglas Davies-
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| From the Archives (2011) |
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British Rock
The song is about the singer's great admiration of fellow schoolboy David Watts, who appears to have a "charmed life". There is an undercurrent of either deep envy or, as AllMusic put it, "a schoolboy crush". It is also, as Jon Savage has written, one of Ray Davies' "sharpest homoerotic songs". As Ray Davies confirmed in The Kinks: The Official Biography by Savage, "David Watts is a real person. He was a concert promoter in Rutland." Ray goes on to relate how the real Watts was gay and demonstrated an obvious romantic interest in brother Dave. In this light, lines such as "he is so gay and fancy free" and "all the girls in the neighbourhood try to go out with David Watts... but can't succeed" provide a second level of interpretation based on this ironic in-joke. |
David Watts
Fa, fa, fa, fa Fa, fa, fa, fa I am a dull and simple lad Cannot tell water from champagne And I have never met the Queen And I wish I could have all that he has got And I wish I could be like David Watts Fa, fa, fa, fa Fa, fa, fa, fa And when I lie on my pillow at night I dream I could fight like David Watts I'd lead the school team to victory And take my exams and pass the lot (Wish I could be) Wish I could be like David Watts (Wish I could be) Wish I could be like David Watts (Wish I could be) Conduct my life like David Watts (Wish I could be) I wish I could be like David Watts Fa, fa, fa, fa Fa, fa, fa, fa He is the head boy at the school He is the captain of the team He is so gay and fancy free And I wish all his money belonged to me And I wish I could be like David Watts Fa, fa, fa, fa Fa, fa, fa, fa And all the girls in the neighbourhood Try to go out with David Watts They try their best but can't succeed For he is of pure and noble breed Wish I could be like Wish I could be like Wish I could be like (Fa, fa, fa, fa) Wish I could be like (Fa, fa, fa, fa) Fa, fa, fa, fa (Wish I, wish I, wish I) Fa, fa, fa, fa (Wish I, wish I, wish I) Fa, fa, fa, fa (Wish I, wish I, wish I) Fa, fa, fa, fa (Wish I, wish I, wish I) Fa, fa, fa, fa (Wish I could be like) Fa, fa, fa, fa (Wish I could be like) |
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Waterloo Sunset
-Raymond Douglas Davies-
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| Lucky Fish (2015) |
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British Rock
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Waterloo Sunset
Dirty old river, must you keep rolling Flowing into the night People so busy, make me feel dizzy Taxi light shines so bright But I don't need no friends As long as I gaze on Waterloo sunset I am in paradise Every day I look at the world from my window But chilly, chilly is the evening time Waterloo sunset's fine Terry meets Julie, Waterloo station Every Friday night But I am so lazy, don't want to wander I stay at home at night But I don't feel afraid As long as I gaze on Waterloo sunset I am in paradise Every day I look at the world from my window But chilly, chilly is the evening time Waterloo sunset's fine Millions of people swarming like flies Round Waterloo underground But Terry and Julie cross over the river Where they feel safe and sound And they don't need no friends As long as they gaze on Waterloo sunset They are in paradise Waterloo sunset's fine |
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Autumn Almanac
-Raymond Douglas Davies-
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| Kinks Unkovered (2010) |
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British Rock
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Autumn Almanac
From the dew-soaked hedge creeps a crawly caterpillar When the dawn begins to crack It's all part of my autumn almanac Breeze blows leaves of a musty-coloured yellow So I sweep them in my sack Yes, yes, yes, it's my autumn almanac. Friday evenings, people get together Hiding from the weather Tea and toasted, buttered currant buns Can't compensate for lack of sun Because the summer's all gone La-la-la-la Oh, my poor rheumatic back Yes, yes, yes, it's my autumn almanac La-la-la-la Oh, my autumn almanac Yes, yes, yes, it's my autumn almanac I like my football on a Saturday Roast beef on Sundays, all right I go To Blackpool for my holidays Sit in the open sunlight. This is my street, and I'm never gonna to leave it And I'm always gonna to stay here If I live to be ninety-nine Cause all the people I meet Seem to come from my street And I can't get away Because it's calling me, (come on home) Hear it calling me, (come on home) La-la-la-la Oh, my autumn Armagnac Yes, yes, yes, it's my autumn almanac La-la-la-la Oh, my autumn almanac Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes Bop-bop-bopm-bop-bop, whoa! Bop-bop-bopm-bop-bop, whoa! |
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The Village Green Preservation Society
-Raymond Douglas Davies-
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| Awkward Annie (2007) |
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British Rock
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British Rock
We are the Village Green Preservation Society God save Donald Duck, Vaudeville and Variety We are the Desperate Dan Appreciation Society God save strawberry jam and all the different varieties Preserving the old ways from being abused Protecting the new ways for me and for you What more can we do We are the Draught Beer Preservation Society God save Mrs. Mopp and good Old Mother Riley We are the Custard Pie Appreciation Consortium God save the George Cross and all those who were awarded them We are the Sherlock Holmes English Speaking Vernacular Help save Fu Manchu, Moriarty and Dracula We are the Office Block Persecution Affinity God save little shops, china cups and virginity We are the Skyscraper condemnation Affiliate God save Tudor houses, antique tables and billiards Preserving the old ways from being abused Protecting the new ways for me and for you What more can we do We are the Village Green Preservation Society God save Donald Duck, Vaudeville and Variety We are the Desperate Dan Appreciation Society God save strawberry jam and all the different varieties We are the Village Green Preservation Society God save Donald Duck, Vaudeville and Variety We are the Village Green Preservation Society God save Donald Duck, Vaudeville and Variety God save the Village Green |
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Strangers
-Dave Davies-
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| The Fall (2009) |
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British Rock
“Strangers” was written by Dave Davies, the Kinks' guitarist and younger brother of Ray Davies. The song has always served as a highlight in Davies' solo sets and was used, to great effect, in Wes Anderson’s 2007 film, The Darjeeling Limited. The sentimental song is about Davies' relationship with an old school friend whose drug addiction ultimately led to his premature death. The two were extremely close but the drug addiction pulled them apart, thus they became “strangers.” Arguably, the most beautiful part of the song is the sentiment that even after becoming estranged, Davies still holds an affinity for his old friend. Discussing “Strangers,” Dave Davies said in a 2010 Thirsty Magazine interview: We were dear friends. Actually, George and I were going to start a band, but he got too heavily into drugs and it kind of pulled us apart. The drug thing was like a three-way affair. He died of a methamphetamine overdose. They found him departed…he was young. I always felt it was going to be me and him. I didn’t think at that age that it was going to be me and Ray. So I really kind of wrote it to him; “Strangers on this road we are on, we are not two we are one“. It was like, what might of been if he hadn’t died so tragically. |
Strangers
Where are you going I don't mind I've killed my world and I've killed my time So where do I go what do I see I see many people coming after me So where are you going to I don't mind If I live too long I'm afraid I'll die So I will follow you wherever you go If your offered hand is still open to me Strangers on this road we are on We are not two we are one So you've been where I've just come From the land that brings losers on So we will share this road we walk And mind our mouths and beware our talk 'Till peace we find tell you what I'll do All the things that I own I will share with you And, if I feel tomorrow, like, I feel today We'll take what we want and give the rest away Strangers on this road we are on We are not two we are one Holy man and holy priest This love of life makes me weak at my knees And when we get there make your play 'Cos soon I feel you're gonna carry us away In a promised lie you made us believe For many men there is so much grief And my mind is proud but it aches with rage And, if I live too long I'm afraid I'll die Strangers on this road we are on We are not two we are one Strangers on this road we are on We are not two we are one |
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Lola
-Raymond Douglas Davies-
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| See My Friends (2010) |
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British Rock
Lola is an attractive transgender woman; the narrator is a young man, flattered by the attention paid to him by her. Ray Davis has claimed that he was inspired to write “Lola” after Kinks manager Robert Wace spent a night in Paris dancing with a transgender woman. However, Mick Avory claimed that the song was inspired by his frequenting of transgender bars in west London. |
Lola (incluye a Ray Davies)
I met her in a club down in old Soho Where you drink champagne and it tastes just like Cherry Cola C-O-L-A Cola She walked up to me and she asked me to dance I asked her her name and in a dark brown voice she said, "Lola" L-O-L-A Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola Well, I'm not the world's most physical guy But when she squeezed me tight she nearly broke my spine Oh my Lola, lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo Lola Well, I'm not dumb but I can't understand Why she walks like a woman and talks like a man Oh my Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola Well, we drank champagne and danced all night Under electric candlelight She picked me up and sat me on her knee She said, "Little boy won't you come home with me?" Well, I'm not the world's most passionate guy But when I looked in her eyes I almost fell for my Lola Lo lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola I pushed her away. I walked to the door I fell to the floor. I got down on my knees I looked at her, and she at me Well that's the way that I want it to stay I always want it to be that way for my Lola Lo lo lo Lola Girls will be boys, and boys will be girls It's a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world Except for Lola. Lo lo lo lo Lola. Lo lo lo lo Lola Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola Well I'd left home just a week before And I'd never ever kissed a woman before Lola smiled and took me by the hand She said, "Little boy, gonna make you a man." Well I'm not the world's most masculine man But I know what I am and I'm glad I'm a man And so is Lola Lo lo lo lo Lola. Lo lo lo lo Lola Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola |