You Really Got Me - The Kinks | College Students' FIRST TIME REACTION!

[@susanklasinski1805]

Possibly one of the most influential songs on rock music and its sub genres of all time.

[@Shadowrider1872]

I totally agree! Many have redone this groove song.

[@allisonreed7682]

@Susan Klasinski exactly! It influenced soooo many different styles of music!

[@susanklasinski1805]

@@allisonreed7682 I've heard this song listed in many different interviews from Paul McCartney, Iggy Pop to Pete Townshend as a song that had them shook.

[@susanklasinski1805]

@@Shadowrider1872 Even if it wasn't a direct cover of the song, you can hear bits of it borrowed in other tunes. One that comes to mind is "Welcome to the Jungle".

[@David-iv6je]

Once again, this is a director forerunner of punk. It's right there in the attitude. Sex Pistols: "God Save the Queen" is essential for any understanding of punk. It is so hard it will melt your face. Punks sneered at most rockers but respected the Kinks. There are a lot of good but not great Kinks songs, and few that are bangers like the two you have heard. Since you have listened to Lola I would stop there. But one I would add is "Destroyer," which came out in 1981: 16 years after this song! And yet such a heavy banger 70s song, and still inimitably the Kinks. Not many groups can pull it often so many years after their first hits. It was huge when I was in high school. Everybody was talking about it. (Including my friend who is now music critic of a major US city newspaper.)

[@mollyhall2954]

Tom Petty talked about being at a school dance when The Kinks' "You Really Got Me" was played and the sound was so new, so different for that time and place (he grew up in Florida) that everybody on the dance floor just stopped and listened! In the most recent documentary, Paul McCartney said when The Kinks opened for them, all The Beatles would sneak into the audience to listen because they'd never heard another band like them--that's why they were asked to open for them.

[@barryshapiro3349]

Ray Davies writes and sings, brother Dave kicks ass on guitar. Remember this is the early 60's. The fellas are forming rock and roll.

[@TheCornishCockney]

Punk…….12years before punk.

[@detritus8095]

Many, many American musicians from the '50s would take issue with your claim that the Kinks are forming rock and roll in 1964.

[@aquatarkus2022]

@@detritus8095 Link Wray was making kick ass rock records in the '50s while Dave Davies was in short pants.

[@barryshapiro3349]

@@detritus8095 Forming, not inventing.

[@detritus8095]

@@barryshapiro3349 I know what you wrote. If you're making a distinction between forming and inventing then the Kinks are nothing special. Every band that writes original rock songs is "forming" rock and roll.

[@otisdylan9532]

This is how The Kinks sounded very early, but they soon moved on to a mellower, more English sound. I suggest "Waterloo Sunset" for your next song as the song that most beautifully captures the period that I consider their peak, 1966-1969.

[@douglasfrantzen3011]

Yes, that would be my next choice too, great song. After Waterloo Sunset then maybe Victoria, it's always been one of my favorites. Actually, it's hard to recommend one over any of the others. They have at least 20 must-listens in so many different styles. It would be a crime not to listen to Father Christmas in December though. Best Christmas song ever. Father Christmas, give us the money We got no time for your silly toys We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over We want your bread so don't make us annoyed Give all the toys to the little rich boys

[@singing894]

One of the greatest songs ever written

[@seattlespice-lob5565]

Pete Townshend called Waterloo Sunset the most beautiful song ever written in the English language. I think he may be right.

[@theread59]

Waterloo Sunset is one of the greatest songs ever committed to record, It's timeless.

[@MarkLikesCoffee860]

Yes please do Waterloo Sunset

[@francesthompson593]

Saw the Kinks in 1964 at the Sheffield City Hall with the Hollies just prior to this single’s release!

[@IBETWECANGET]

The Kinks were a very very important part of the sixties. The Lyrics from Ray Davies are amazing - he is a poet...MUST LISTEN to Sunny Afternoon.....

[@alabhaois]

Sunny Afternoon is one of many favorites by this extraordinary group!!

[@funkster007]

Great tune. Definitely draws you in. Ray's a poet indeed.

[@babagyoza]

Dead-end Street, too!

[@stevenspicer4873]

Davies wrote the classic English novel of an upper-class prick's rise and fall, in three songs: A Well-Respected Man, House in the Country, and Sunny Afternoon.

[@stevenspicer4873]

@@mortyduke7677 Exactly! Davies has a million of them... House in the Country: "He got his job when drunken Daddy tumbled down the stairs" "At work he is invariably unpleasant and on time"

[@tommccafferty5591]

Dave Davies, the guitarist was angry. His girlfriend was pregnant and they wanted to get married, but their parents said they were too young and broke them up. Dave was in a rage and took a razor blade and slashed the cone of his little Elpico amp. He ran the little Elpico through a larger Vox amp like a preamp. The slashed cone gave his guitar that distorted sound that became a staple in rock and roll. In the studio, the engineers would kick his Elpico amp as they passed it to make is sound even dirtier.

[@LoriCurl]

Nice factoid there, Thanks!

[@tommccafferty5591]

@@LoriCurl An article about it popped up on my phone a month or so ago, and I Googled it to confirm.

[@seed_drill7135]

All true, but Link Wray had punched holes in his amp five years prior to create the distortion on Rumble, which you know the Brits were digging.

[@babagyoza]

Ike Turner had an amp that got knocked around, too. Not sure if it was used to record Rocket 88.

[@babagyoza]

@@maryk446 it was more Dave's mother, who was concerned about her sons' careers about to take off, and he was very young, like maybe 15 or 16. The girlfriend was sent to a place for unwed girls. I think the notion was to give up the child. Davies was gutted. Mindless Child of Motherhood can be construed to be about their relationship, though Davies has later denied that he wrote it about them.

[@atomwatt77]

They sliced the speakers in the guitar amp to get that raunchy tone! Badass backstory about the recording of this song. Look it up sometime. Great stuff!

[@David-iv6je]

Such a great unique guitar tone. Signature.

[@hankamania]

Professor of Rock just did an episode about the recording of the solo. Check it out!

[@thomasm195]

Here is the professor of rock video , great history to this song kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5uaZYWIf9-errc

[@themoviedealers]

Garage Rock Foundation: Kinks, Animals, Yardbirds. Beatles and Stones secondarily.

[@jeffk2526]

1964-this is a BANGER! The Kinks are the less covered British Invasion group that is sooo good! I will be honest, I know most of their stuff from greatest hits compilations, but Ray Davies instills a lot of humor and social commentary, a lot from the "common man" perspective. Just an all around great group.

[@yoseffeigenbaum9639]

"Less covered" in the media but possibly one of the most covered bands by other bands.

[@jeffk2526]

@@yoseffeigenbaum9639 agree

[@jcroston3266]

Proof that sometimes Grandpa was cooler than we’ll ever be 🤣

[@johannesvalterdivizzini1523]

Well, I was a child in the 1960's, but I was there, listening to the radio, playing records--going to great concerts (like Beatles at Shea Stadium)---it was a great time, hey, I'm no grandpa...but I appreciate your respect.

[@jcroston3266]

@@johannesvalterdivizzini1523 I’m a grandpa, I kind of aimed the comment at myself!

[@TheDivayenta]

1964!!!! The beginning of Punk Rock. The Kinks.

[@williamr3840]

Proto-punk! :0)

[@tzcomp]

And being mono adds to the rawness & Punk feel.

[@charlotte_plays1236]

Fresh as the day I first heard it as teenager. This sound was groundbreaking. I saw them live and have all their early stuff on vinyl. Try Til The End Of The Day.

[@kmorri9]

Was just going to suggest that one!

[@13xenophon]

Live version

[@brianfowler1879]

If The Beatles and The Stones had a baby it would be The Kinks🇬🇧

[@ernietarling5829]

Yes, in that early grungy genre, Till the End of the Day is next in line, before we get to those classic hits like Waterloo Sunset, Sunny Afternoon, and the really beautiful " Days".

[@brianarthur3798]

Yes, you must check out "Till The End Of The Day"

[@grasmere64]

One of the great rock songs of all time.

[@BlueRadleys7152]

If you haven't already, try 'Waterloo Sunset' guys. Absolutely beautiful. 👌

[@emilyflotilla931]

Love your moniker Aethewulf of Wessex!

[@jamesdwithrow]

David Bowie and others on Waterloo Sunset: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWHUn3uXjMuEjsk

[@BlueRadleys7152]

@@jamesdwithrow Thanks for the link James. Hadn't seen that before. Much obliged.

[@frankgarcia1]

I think its wild that kids your age get that this is great rock and roll.

[@wesleywalker5436]

Ray Davies was 19 years old and Dave Davies was 17 when they recorded this song.

[@surlechapeau]

I remember playing Dave Davies solo song "Imaginations Real" in 1980 on the radio

[@susanklasinski1805]

@@surlechapeau And I was thinking I'm the only one who remembers Imaginations Real.

[@surlechapeau]

@@susanklasinski1805 ha! me, you and the Professor of Rock!

[@susanklasinski1805]

​@@surlechapeau I'm taking it there is a reaction out there on YT. I'll check it out.

[@makeadifference4all]

Like the Kinks' "All Day and All of the Night," this is a rocking, pioneering recording from the mid-60s. The Kinks, the Who, and the Beatles did some trailblazing hard rock 1960s tracks that also have these wonderful, sophisticated musical elements, like the Beach-Boys-style harmonies in this song.

[@garymaidman625]

Not to mention the Troggs, who were just as important.

[@obbor4]

@@garymaidman625 "Just as important?" You're kidding, right?

[@garymaidman625]

@@obbor4 not at all. The Troggs really were just as important to the garage rock sound. "Wild Thing" is the quintessential garage rock song. Possibly more so than "You Really Got Me" or "All Day and All Of The Night". Even "With A Girl Like You" has a real edge to it.

[@obbor4]

@@garymaidman625 Oh, garage bands. I thought you meant good bands. Okay, fair enough. By the way, I liked The Troggs I just wouldn't rate them alongside any of the other three you mentioned here.

[@garymaidman625]

@@obbor4 the Troggs were a very good band and an important part of the Mod scene, which the Who and the Kinks were also a part of.

[@matangiandtheparrot4614]

Now you've do it...Bring on "Father Christmas!" whoa... my college days... loveyougentlemen!

[@gnomeofwar]

Definitely worth a listen to for the December holidays. Refreshing to hear 'anarchy' after hearing Mariah Carey for the umpteenth time .

[@peterquinones3522]

It's such a shame The Kinks were banned from the USA in their prime, it really hurt them.

[@mookie7688]

Because they started a fight backstage on a TV show or something. They were kind of like the Replacements in a own-worst-enemy way.

[@chrisdelisle3954]

Yes, but....would we have gotten all the very British songs over the next handful of years if they hadn't been banned from the USA? That's not an original thought - I remember watching some documentary that stated that Davies just explored British life after that.

[@burmajones803]

Commercially it did, undoubtedly, but that period produced some of their greatest work: Face to Face, Something Else, Village Green Preservation Society, and Arthur. Ray Davies as a songwriter was forced to look closer at England, and it resulted in some of his best songs.

[@alexjbennett1017]

@@burmajones803 a thousand thumbs-ups... the best songs from those albums are, each in their own way, unsurpassed.

[@frankdiceiii5399]

Check out “Destroyer” which they did 17 years later, where they reference both “All The Day” and “Lola” and also somehow create The Pixies/Nirvana loud/soft vibe years before either of those bands even existed.

[@alrivers2297]

Yes very cool

[@detritus8095]

The Kinks did not create the loud/quiet dynamic.

[@Johonnac]

@@detritus8095 Who did?

[@detritus8095]

@@Johonnac I don't know, Beethoven? It's a primary motif of music.

[@garyschill7923]

@@detritus8095 Since no music existed before Chuck Berry, it doesn't matter!

[@jamesrowe3606]

This is the kind of music that was coming out of the radio when I was 11 years old. It sounded great then, even from a tiny (tinny 😏) mono speaker and it sounds even better now. It's so good to see you guys, from the future, digging it too. I'd really like to hear your band banging it out.

[@oldeskoolnana7543]

How lucky are we? The cool boomers.🤣🤣🤣🤣✌✌✌

[@jamesrowe3606]

@@oldeskoolnana7543 Still cool to this day. 😏

[@iggypopdrop3509]

This is one of those rare instances where the original and cover are both outstanding.

[@kenhewitt7357]

Agreed

[@actuariallurker9650]

@@kenhewitt7357 And an argument for why the guys now need to react to Metallica's Turn the Page and compare it to the their reaction to Bob Seger.

[@mjames4709]

Bullshit. That Van Haley is trashy at best.

[@mumbles215]

Where have all the good times gone is kick ass by VH

[@robertburke5354]

A ground-breaking S-tier song. Anyone who was around to hear this for the first time in 1964, must have been blown away.

[@cindyp1033]

Yes! My 14 year old self 🙋🏼‍♀️❤️ The Kinks are awesome

[@johnf-americanreacts1287]

I always loved the grittiness of the Kinks compared to their early to mid 60s contemporaries.

[@LSBBD]

Keep in mind, they were nothing before this song and went instant #1 in England. This was different then anything for the time and even the record company wouldn't pay for the recording of this song.

[@thethesaxman23]

Would love to hear you guys react to Sunny Afternoon!! That’s always been my personal favorite!

[@markmurphy558]

Met Ray Davies at the jazz club I managed in NYC. He was a big fan of Les Paul who played two sets every Monday, and Ray would occasionally jam with Les. Great guy. Anyone who had a baby with Chrissy Hyndes is OK with me. Remember guys, this sound was invented by the Kinks. This record was on the radio at the same time as I Want To Hold Your Hand.

[@gregsager2062]

No, it wasn't. "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was released in the UK in November '63, and in the US right around Christmas '63. "You Really Got Me" was released in the UK in August '64 and in the US a month later. The Beatles single that was contemporaneous with "You Really Got Me" in the US was "And I Love Her" / "If I Fell".

[@grelch]

You guys nailed this reaction. It's lo-fi, intense, garage, live rock and roll. Rock and roll in the purest sense is raw, messy and electric. People sleep on the Kinks when talking about 60's Brit rock. They were fantastic.

[@segan63]

Another early Kinks' song to check out would be "I'm Not Like Everybody Else"

[@SciPunk215]

1000x yes

[@danielwalker1538]

Agreed

[@kevinferris2902]

Used in the Sopranos as a theme for Tony

[@obbor4]

Yes, there are so many classic Kinks songs that should be heard by all fans of real rock music.

[@ednicholson7839]

Yeah that might be the most famous song Dave Davies sang -- along with "Strangers"

[@terrysnyder8577]

"Tired of Waiting for You" is almost Beatles-quality songwriting

[@billowens8051]

Yes, another great one, this time a ballad.

[@frozenharold]

You could see where Andy was actually picturing his band playing this. And his disappointment the guitar solo ended so quickly.

[@garyschill7923]

A&A is Bangin'! 2 old Kinks in 2 weeks. In '64 the guitar solo was audio dirt, and inspired thousands of kids to pick up the instrument.

[@lindab1945]

Starting the week with a bang, not a whimper! In my young world it was the Beatles and the Kinks until Buffalo Springfield came along with a definable American sound. Thanks for bringing the Kinks back so quickly. Have a great week, Gents!

[@susanklasinski1805]

Buffalo Springfield really are in quick order.

[@mobanewman7139]

I just checked. They have not listened to Buffalo Springfield, at least not on KZbin.

[@lindab1945]

@@mobanewman7139 How do we remedy this?

[@mobanewman7139]

@@lindab1945 Keep suggesting it. Mention Neil is in it.

[@nightbird1314]

1st in! Enjoy this S tier classic! You'll hear sooo many influences from this song in later works. Much love 💚💚

[@Shadowrider1872]

🤘

[@latherslick]

Tired of Waiting For You or Well Respected Man. Not as crunchy of rockers like All the Day or You Really Got Me but awesome early songs. Tired of Waiting made it to # 6 on Billboard top 100. I think their highest American song til Come Dancing came out 20 some years later and tied with it.

[@snowbirdlady7221]

I've always loved the Kinks, ever since 1964. Glad to see you guys discovering and enjoying their sound too! Keep it going.

[@wesleywalker5436]

Imagine you’re 17 years old and you invent guitar distortion sound that changed rock n roll forever. Dave Davies is vastly underrated.

[@detritus8095]

Dave Davies did not invent guitar distortion.

[@jerryjanski551]

Howlin' Wolf's guitarist Willie Johnson and Hubert Sumlin would be very interested to know that a 17 year old British kid invented distortion in 1964. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3W0pJ6ImrOdmNk

[@wesleywalker5436]

@@jerryjanski551 did howlin Wolf slice his guitar amp to create this sound?

[@detritus8095]

@@wesleywalker5436 Go ahead and say Dave Davies invented slicing a guitar amp, but that's not the same thing as inventing guitar distortion, which was your original claim.

[@wesleywalker5436]

Go ahead and minimize what this 17 year old did for Rock n Roll. I’m sure Davies is thankful you gave me permission to giving him credit for creating his sound.

[@jamesmichael5475]

“Celluloid Heroes” is a masterpiece by the Kinks, not a fast burner, but a great, great tune, about the frailties of celebrity, so poignant and relevant 50 years later. Ray and Dave Davies ruled. “You really Got Me” And “all Day and All Night” were extremely influential in early Rock. The guitar tone was out of this world, when young artists were experimenting with distortion and sounds you could get out of that kinda new thing called an electric guitar.

[@btannereagle]

I love Celluloid Heroes❤️

[@deanrobert9953]

Celluloid Heroes (Live at Volkshaus, Zürich, Switzerland - November 1979 from 'One For The Road') - first two minutes... Dave Davies... amazing....

[@stevepowell6503]

I played in a band back in the 90s, and we played Cincinnati bars. We always did "Celluloid Heroes", and I got to sing on that one. The whole bar would usually quiet down and listen, and it certainly wasn't because of my singing voice. The song was just that good.

[@daveking9393]

Wow I wasn't expecting this fantastic I'm excited to listen to this and watch you guys react of course

[@jeffmartin1026]

This song is such a classic. Next up for The Kinks? Apeman and Ducks On The Wall. But then again there are so many - Celluloid Heroes, Come Dancing, (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman, Supersonic Rocket Ship. I saw them several times back in the day, every show a rockin' good time.

[@JayKFilmz]

I Love Ducks but no ones gonna react to that 😂

[@joelliebler5690]

Those are some of my favorites!

[@Kim-hc5si]

This song is very, very important in the history of rock. It has a great story along with it. Dig it up - you won't be sorry.

[@no2all]

For that "garage sound", you need to review "Gloria" by Them (Van Morrison). There was not a single garage band in America that was not driving their parents crazy with it. It was 1964 and there were changes a-comin' in the whole rock revolution. Also the first rock recording to use two drummers.

[@garyschill7923]

YES, A&A played the Patti Smith cover on a livestream and it's time for the original!

[@rexvisitor44]

Or the Doors version which is R-rated but awesome. Crazy that they played together, Jim and Van

[@russellparkinson5396]

Good call the original garage band rocker and he still 0lays it at 76 yo.

[@jonathanlocke6404]

Other earlier versions of this sound, that may have influenced the Kinks, would be two American bands, the Kingsmen and the Sonics...

[@oceanbluebandflorida]

Fast forward 16 years or so to the song “Destroyer” Banger!!!

[@salhaney]

Father Christmas is a great one for the upcoming season.

[@ChicoEscuela]

Adding to the Waterloo Sunset suggestion, master craft level song and recording.

[@myratatano5187]

The guitarist, Dave Davies slashed the cone in his amplifier to get this dirty tone. And voila, heavy metal/ hard rock was born!

[@TheCornishCockney]

I’d say John Lydon was listening too.

[@gregsager2062]

@@TheCornishCockney And so were the Sonics, the Count Five, the Standells, the Blues Magoos, and three more generations of garage rockers beyond them.

[@susanklasinski1805]

First Odyssey & Oracle, now the Kinks. Excellent morning!

[@Shadowrider1872]

🥰

[@stevemccooleq]

You have no idea how straight out filthy a guitar solo like that was in the 60's.

[@bryanburton6087]

So glad to see you're both enjoying the Kinks. One of the best bands ever. The great thing about the Kinks is that they never stagnated. They kept growing. Yes, this early, garage band, pre-punk sound is awesome but they do so much more. Dig deep, boys. The Kinks won't disappoint you.

[@TB6791]

And don't forget "Catch me now I'm falling" Ray Davies had the foresight back in mid the 70's🤯

[@marklozano493]

For a 57 YO song... this number ROCKS OUT! I think we forget sometimes how ahead of the times the Kinks really were. One of the English pioneers for sure, that reminded or introduced Americans of our own music. I love the the early distortion/fuzz. Good pull men.

[@alancharbonneau4108]

I saw a documentary about rock more than 35 years ago now, I can’t recall the title. But I recall when they got to the Kinks and “You Really Got Me” I remember the comment “the critics said it sounded like they were playing their guitars with hammers”. I think that’s perfection of the garage sound 😁

[@aldobertoli6235]

Early 60´s, history in the making, this was uncharted territory. That guitar, c´mon!, Van Hallen came almost 15 years later. Garage feeling, that sums it up! By the way, try The Destroyer from early 80´s, total killer.

[@garyschill7923]

Yes, A&A should do "Destroyer" next. It references some of their earlier work, and even the cleaned-up production doesn't detract from the garage attitude when they dig into it.

[@halstermeister6813]

I was recently on the phone with an old friend and fellow guitarist from our very first garage band in 1964. We had been learning Stones and Lonnie Mack stuff at the time. Coincidentally we discussed this song and how it was such a life changing event for both of us. Power chords, volume on 10 and a driving solo. Of course we didn't know then that he had razor cut and poked holes in his speaker cones to get that dirt. The staticky, bad cable noise you can clearly hear in the intro is the distinctive sound of a speaker cone on it's way to being totally blown. I couldn't afford a fuzztone back then but inspired by Dave Davies', I ran my signal through a Heathkit preamp between the guitar and amp for the overdrive and rigged up a footswitch. Didn't sound half bad.

[@harlanginsberg7269]

This came out before All Day and All of the Night as a single and live these were often done as a medley

[@kben036]

This is the loudest concert I’ve ever attended. My tinnitus matches one of those notes in the imperfect solo.

[@badkitty4922]

Thanks for doing this absolutely classic rock n' roll song! Much Love, guys!💖💖😘😘👍👍

[@frankpentangeli7945]

Hard to believe this song was recorded in mid-1964, around the same time the Beatles were recording A Hard Day's Night and Can't Buy Me Love. This tune KICKS ASS!!! I would vote for Waterloo Sunset as the next Kinks reaction video.

[@Shadowrider1872]

Alex looks great as Travolta's double

[@emilyflotilla931]

Hope he's not into Scientology! 😉

[@Shadowrider1872]

@@emilyflotilla931 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@emilyflotilla931]

@@Shadowrider1872 I couldn't help myself! 😉

[@stevemercer6976]

The song that launched a thousand garage bands

[@dagmar.6954]

I grew up with all the music from the British Invasion & The Mersybeat. The Kinks were huge & had a lot of hits. I especially love their music from the 60's & 70's. "All Day and All of the Night", "Set Me Free", "Tired of Waiting for You", "A Well Respected Man", "Dedicated Follower of Fashion", "Sunny Afternoon", "Dead End Street", "Waterloo Sunset", "Autumn Almanac" & "Lola".

[@alexjbennett1017]

An impeccable list, Dagmar!

[@TheFlowNetwork]

The Kinks returned to this sound in 1979 with the song "Destroyer" from the album "Give The People What They Want"...one of their BEST albums.

[@Scatherfirst]

David Bowie said, "I never heard a Ray Davies' song I didn't like." He covered the Kinks', "Where Have All the Good Times Gone" on Pinups, his LP of covers.

[@jeffschielka7845]

Saw The Kinks in Chicago at the Aragon "Brawl" Room in 1977. My ticket stub says 5.50. The good ol' days when concerts were 5 bucks! That place with its wood floors got incredibly rowdy. Good times!

[@chriso6719]

Now, you can't even get parking for $5.

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@chriso6719 Hell no.

[@izzywong7027]

Iconic. Always great to kick off the week with classic 60s rock.

[@SirDoofus2u]

Honestly it surprises me how many classic bangers they haven't gotten near yet. How can you hear 6 or 8 rockers from the Stones and not want to hear the other 30? How can anyone listen to Dark Side of the Moon and not immediately want to hear all of Wish You Were Here? These guys are Disciplined!

[@rexvisitor44]

"20th Century Man" Underrated great tune from an underrated great band.

[@craigirwin1950]

Absolutely!

[@Mr-SRG]

Paranoia Self "Destroyer" would be a great 80's Kinks banger to react to. Also Rock & Roll Fantasy is pure melodic Kinks magic.

[@louisebrown6637]

A musical about the Kinks was made about 5 years ago - Sunny Afternoon. Best musical I have ever seen, charting their rise from when they were penniless and living in a tiny flat, to their eventual genius and success. It shows how they kicked in their speakers to create this unique and punchy sound. Absolutely glorious musical. If it is ever revived, do go and see it.

[@davescurry69]

The birth of hard rock. The Kinks are at the same time one of the most influential and underrated bands of all time.

[@jimmayors2315]

The song that changed everything, basically. This was the first hit song ever to use a distortion on the electric guitar. Dave Davies apparently cut slits in his amp's speakers with a razor blade (because he was mad at his girlfriend) and then later discovered the cool distortion when he used that amp later. They put it in this song and rock and roll changed forever!

[@detritus8095]

This was not even close to the first time distortion was used on an electric guitar recording.

[@jimmayors2315]

@@detritus8095 we'll, I'm sure you'll be able to give us examples otherwise then! Why do you thing Van Halen chose to cover it?

[@detritus8095]

@@jimmayors2315 Because they liked the song? Here's a decent video explaining what distortion means in the context of electric guitars kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4q4amOOls-Mo7c

[@jimmayors2315]

@@detritus8095 kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5uaZYWIf9-errc

[@detritus8095]

@@jimmayors2315 that's cool, just ignore my video and its multiple examples of pre-Kinks distortion.

[@michaelnorris7353]

For sure this is "S" tier all the way. They were really great at that low production punched out garage sound - but they were also really great at melodic tunes. You should hear "Sunny Afternoon" or "Waterloo Station" to truly appreciate how talented these guys were as songwriters. & musicians. I think the album cover rating is a really good idea as many of us would sit around looking at the album covers while listening to the album. Great analysis.

[@seed_drill7135]

Yeah, you need to evaluate songs like this in the context of their era. This was a musical game changer.

[@kevinmcpartland7639]

What is S tier, compared to A+?

[@michaelnorris7353]

@@kevinmcpartland7639 I believe S tier is something they came up with - meaning "being in the sauce" whatever that means. To them it is the next level above A+. I wonder if there is a level above S tier.

[@RossoRosa62]

Next has to be Waterloo Sunset, completely different vibe but showcases Ray Davis extraordinary story telling ability, Just beautiful

[@mikelundquist4596]

I saw the Kinks twice. At one show Ray went over to Dave in the middle of a song, yelling at him the whole way and then punched him! Dave kept playing and they finished the song. My buddy and I did an actual double take. Hilarious!

[@mollyhall2954]

I only saw them once, in 1978, but I'd heard so much about Ray & Dave fighting that I Almost wished they would, but I didn't want the concert to end early, so I was glad they didn't fight that night! They were great! Some of the fans in Christian Davies' fan club have seen the band 20 or 30 times, or more times than they can count, growing up in their neighborhood. I love that they called their fistfighting "punch ups" back then. Brothers that hit each other in the face every time they argued, but managed to keep the band going from the '60s to the '90s.

[@mikelundquist4596]

@@mollyhall2954 it didn't stop the show, they just kept playing. My friend and I looked at each other with big eyes and dropped jaws. It was funny later.

[@allisonreed7682]

For more killer garage rock feel, check out Big Star! Their 1972 debut album, #1 Record, could easily be released today and no one would guess it was nearly 50 years old. The song “Feel” would be a great intro. Your next Kinks song has to be “Destroyer!” #keepthecouch

[@Shadowrider1872]

🥰🥰🥰

[@fredhall6525]

Come right back next Monday with "Destroyer".

[@burmajones803]

I never travel far/without a little/Big Star!

[@allisonreed7682]

@@burmajones803 they need to be introduced to The Replacements, too!

[@gregsager2062]

"September Gurls", from Big Star's second album *Radio City* , is the perfect rock'n'roll song.

[@jeffschielka7845]

The British Invasion! You Really Got Me got America rocking!!

[@armadillotoe]

Rock & Roll Fantasy is mellow but a great song. Thanks for this one. I was 12 years old when this came out and would soon be Jonesing for my 1st guitar. Not doing the exact notes, but the shapes if very common when you do an acoustic guitar and singing. You get the feel of several instruments but not the exact note perfection.

[@gregsager2062]

[sniff] Andy & Alex have come such a long way! Makes a guy feel proud of them! [sniff] I love seeing them get to this point, where they've come to realize that rock'n'roll at its best is messy as well as loud and catchy, that the beauty of great r'n'r lies in its imperfections. For a generation weaned on ProTools, Autotune, and the relentless factory cadence of computerized beats and looped effects, it's a long, hard road to travel before you discover that the true magic is found in the sweaty skronk of tube amps, damaged equipment, staticky cords, lousy room acoustics, and half-competent, beer-fueled post-adolescent musicians making the devil's music with the pure joy that comes from making the girls wiggle while you're making a racket. Next up for these guys should be "Wild Thing" by the Troggs ... the only rip-the-top-of-your-head-off song in r'n'r history that contains an ocarina solo.

[@burmajones803]

Sounds like a request for the Replacements to me! Johnny's Gonna Die or Takin' a Ride.

[@andreaschmall5560]

"Wild Thing" was precisely the song that came to mind. Every garage and bar band was playing it as soon as it hit the airwaves.

[@ghiaman65]

Man, perfectly said.

[@reesezpeecez08]

I agree 100% with what you said. Wild Thing was a banger then, even on an AM radio.

[@dannyapeshit]

You guys should listen to The Sonics, probably one of the greatest garage rock bands. Psycho, Have Love Will Travel, The Witch, a lot of great songs.

[@alanspagnolia9474]

It really makes me feel great knowing how these young people want to hear what music we grew up with, and loving it as much as we did !

[@jgsrhythm100]

Now A&A need to check the Garage Rock predecessor. a year prior (circa 63) The Kingsman- Louie Louie Unitelligeable lyrics decades before " "Smells like Teen Spirit"! So much so an FBI investigation ensued due to disgruntled parents!!! Of course forever associated with the classic film " Animal House". Now that's one A&A would love!!!

[@susanklasinski1805]

Yes, JG, another important song in rock history.

[@pauloingram]

'Waterloo Sunset' is the song to hear. A work of real beauty.

[@lisamorrison2149]

Great tune. From their self titled album. They set the bar in the mid 60's.

[@Tijuanabill]

I'm not saying metal never happens without this song, but it happened sooner, because of this song.

[@kylermillsap8068]

An absolute classic.

[@jmr1415]

There are so, so many great Kinks songs but for my money... Days. Beauty, hope and heartbreak all in one glorious package.

[@chuckmadden2251]

Crazy to think this was written on the family piano in their parents living room. Great song!

[@derekjhpeterson3882]

Dave Clark Five has some early bangers as well, first band to hit the drums hard!

[@mt9054]

My Dad’s name was Dave…we got a ton of crank calls back in the day from teenage girls…he loved it…😀

[@susanklasinski1805]

DC5 may have inadvertently been pioneers of psychedelic rock with "Any Way You Want It" (no, not the Journey song).

[@mt9054]

@@susanklasinski1805 they crush that song…

[@LSBBD]

Please please please Waterloo Sunset next. Doesn't have to be soon, it just has to be.

[@paulwassom4231]

“Define what a garage band is…” Now you’re ready for The Sonics.

[@johnbowen8238]

Similar vibe: “Louie Louie” by The Kingsmen (1963). Banned in many places and investigated by the FBI because even though no one could understand the lyrics, the Powers That Be just knew they had to be obscene and nasty.

[@paulr.3220]

This brings me back to 11 years old listening to my first transistor radio. The Kinks and this song in particular displayed so much attitude for music in the day.

[@craigreid7178]

Good analysis of this. I was a musician, cutting my teeth on this stuff but even before that on the Beach Boys, the Chantays, the Surfaries and many of the surf-rock bands. The Kinks, the Zombies, the Yard Birds, the Beau Brummels were all ones we were learning then.

[@SabineThinkerbellum]

The 1981 album Give The People What They Want is a banger. I saw them live that year and there’s a concert on youtube (Rockpalast Grugahalle Essen). Definitely give this a try. Back to Front and Destroyer are my absolute favorites from that album.

[@ssttuuhhll]

Try Tired of Waiting For You. I reckon it’s the bridge between their classic rockers and the Waterloo Sunset period.

[@alexvillarreal6039]

May be a while before you cover The Kinks again, but Apeman and This Time Tomorrow are great.

[@GorillaMansoon]

Apeman!

[@susanklasinski1805]

I would love for them to react to the whole "Lola V Powerman..." album.

[@alexjbennett1017]

@@susanklasinski1805 that album is a master class in unpretentious brilliance, start to finish

[@susanklasinski1805]

@@alexjbennett1017 It's amazing isn't it? I keep flip-flopping on my favorite tune, and came to the conclusion that it's impossible to pick one. However, "Get Back In Line" has always been the one with the best lyrics for me.

[@alexjbennett1017]

@@susanklasinski1805 "Get Back in Line" has so much emotional power -- it grips me like no other song on the record -- imho it is up there with Shangri-La and Waterloo Sunset in its emotion -- I'm surprised it isn't mentioned more often. (Also, it kinda lines up with "Up the Junction.") Its only competition for me on the record is "This Time Tomorrow" but that is partly because I learned to play it on guitar -- it feels so good to sing and play it.

[@MrMattb08]

"Waterloo Sunset", "Sunny Afternoon", "Victoria", "David Watts"... plenty to choose from! If you like "David Watts", try The Jam - a hugely successful UK band who followed the Kinks in the late 70s - they made a great, harder cover version.

[@davidmonypeny5734]

You guys should really hit up "96 Tears" by ? and The Mysterians. Trust me on this one.

[@kathy2122]

Absolutely!

[@rochlejeune5789]

You really need to do "I'm Not Like Everybody Else ". Raw rock and roll.

[@lantose]

There were very few if any acts before the Kinks in this “Garage Band” genre except for British band “Dave Clark Five” who were incredibly popular and kicked out some rowdy songs like “Do You Love Me” and “Glad All Over”, to name a couple, in 1963-1964 and encourage you to check them out! The girls went nuts over these guys!

[@howardjones7569]

Dave Clark Five were from London U.K., not American at all.

[@lantose]

@@howardjones7569 yeah, I screwed up on that one and changed it to British! Don’t know what it was thinking of, growing up in that era and have the album!

[@Shadowrider1872]

GOOOOOOOD MORNING FROM RAINEY NOR CAL!!!!! ☮️❤️♾️

[@allisonreed7682]

Hey, @John H! Happy Monday!

[@susanklasinski1805]

Send some rain my way! 🥰