This was the sound that got Pete Townsend's blood flowing.

SUNNY AFTERNOON is a masterpiece by The Kinks. And please get back to more JETHRO TULL , eventually you should listen to some live stuff and the full thick as a brick album, long long overdue.

If you want more like this try I Need You, Set Me Free, Come On Now, Till the End of the Day, but really, they have such a diverse range of styles. They are an amazing band. You could own their entire catalog and it just might be all you'd ever need to listen to.

Because you loved this so much, you've gotta hear "You Really Got Me", a similarly styled record. But there's also "Waterloo Sunset", a beautiful ballad. I hope that you react to both songs within the next 6 months or so.

Just hear the original You Really Got Me. It's's in the exact same vein and it rocks!

Absolutely true!

More or less, yes.

Dave Davies invented distortion guitar.

This^

Spot on. So many all time great musicians cite The Kinks as a massive influence. I think they get a little lost sometimes as one of the most important bands ever.

Add "Gloria" by Them (Van Morrison) to that tour de force of garage band inspirations.

Good point! I never thought about it but this was Punk decades before Punk.

You hit the nail on the head. The birth of 1000 bands.

No, it's S tier for *two* good reasons. First, as you said, because (like the Kinks single that preceded it, "You Really Got Me") it is the Big Bang that gave birth to garage, heavy metal, and punk. But, second, because it's just simply a great song. Five and a half decades after it was released, you still can't sit still while listening to it. Did you see Andy's face as he was listening to this song? We don't see Andy's stankface all that often anymore, probably because his musical experience is so much broader now after hearing so much '60s and '70s music. But he was in full stankface mode during this song -- and Andy's stankface don't lie. ;-)

@@markd9130 I would say that Punk took part of this and ran with it. Punk distilled a bit of the Kinks sound. But so did so many other sub-genres who were influenced by the Kinks. But none of them combined it all, like the Kinks did.

You're right, probably the birth of heay metal & I'm from the town that spawned Black Sabbath.

One of my all-time faves. Still got my original single from '64.

Definitely!

"So Tired!"

@@marygoodson4920 lol

Absolutely!!!!

I saw an interview with Ray Davies where he said it wasn’t unusual to play gigs with the Beatles, and there was one time the Beatles opened for them. The Beatles were the headliners and the Kinks were opening for them but the Kinks were so late getting there they went on after the Beatles.

In The Who's defense, their manager wanted them to sound like The Kinks and those two songs. And it's not just because The Kinks had so much success with those two songs - The Who and The Kinks had the same manager at the time.

@@thefuge5 That's not true. It was *Pete Townshend* who wanted his band to sound like the Kinks, and he's gone on record numerous times in stating that. Not only did Townshend love those early Kinks hits, especially their sound, he also recognized that what the Kinks were doing stylistically fit the strengths and weaknesses of his own band better than the R&B covers that the Who was playing in the clubs because their audience of mods preferred R&B. You need a disciplined, in-the-pocket drummer to play R&B, and the baby-faced anarchist who sat behind the drumkit in the Who was the diametric opposite of a disciplined, in-the-pocket drummer. The strengths of the Who were obviously their super-loud stage sound and their unbridled aggression. Putting heavy guitar on top of a standard pop composition with all of that wham! bam! coming out of the rhythm section (i.e., what the Kinks were doing) suited the Who perfectly. And so the Who deliberately sought to follow in the footsteps of the Kinks, not because their managers wanted them to do so (Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp knew absolutely nothing about the UK pop scene, aside from the fact that it was a potential goldmine), but because their guitarist/songwriter wanted them to do so. Also, the Who and the Kinks never had the same manager. The Who was first managed by Peter Meaden, and then was managed by Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp. It was Lambert and Stamp who sought out Kinks producer Shel Talmy at Townshend's request and asked him to produce the Who's next single ("I Can't Explain", which Townshend has never denied was an attempt to write a Kinks song in the vein of "You Really Got Me" and "All Day and All of the Night"). The Kinks, meanwhile, were managed by a trio of impresarios: Robert Wace, Grenville Collins, and Larry Page.

@@gregsager2062 You are correct, sir. I am a huge Who fan and it is true that PT was a huge fan of The Kinks and always has been a friend of Ray Davies. He has stated that The Kinks were always vastly and terribly underrated which I think is absolutely true.

Punk was a reaction to all the shitty rock that rock had changed to in the mid 70's. AOR bland crap or wanking solos that were technically proficient but had nothing to appeal to the 18 year old kids that wanted something to energize them. Punk just continued the garage sound that had disappeared at that point in history. It just had new clothes and hairstyles, but still was a jolt that the music industry needed. First gen punk here and loved the new stuff coming out at the time and these old rock and roll masterpieces that influenced it.

It's called proto-punk my friend.

This is not punk rock, it's hard rock. In fact, it's the second hard rock song ever.

@@Cosmo-Kramer it's not a matter of opinion, they have been categorized as a proto-punk band. I understand what you are saying, I'm not disagreeing, it's just not correct.

@@MTLUVR Did I reply to you? No. I replied to the OP who has mislabeled this song as punk. As for you labeling them as proto-punk, I would accept that or deny that based on how you defined "proto". By "proto", do you mean 1) that The Kinks sound as featured in this song was the first punk music produced, or 2) do you mean that, while they were not producing punk music in songs such as this one, their sound--a harder rock sound than had previously existed--paved the way, or helped pave the way, for punk to rise a decade later?

This is my favorite Kinks song.

The Kinks can sometimes seem dated, but it is hard to overestimate their importance in the British Invasion. The attention is paid more to The Beatles, Stones, Who etc. The Kinks should be included in that.

When people ask me Beatles or Stones, I reply, "Kinks."

I definitely listen to more Kinks than Beatles or Stones. I think "Strangers", "Apeman", "Got To Be Free" and "Muswell Hillbilly", from their early 70's, Americana, inspired period, are also other songs deserving consideration. But they have so many great songs in their catalogue, so it is hard to limit it down.

"Waterloo Sunset" is a must-listen for Andy and Alex. It's as surefire an S-tier song as there is. The melody is so beautiful that it's timeless.

I put Waterloo Sunset in my top ten favourite songs ever. The imagery it brings is wonderful. I listen to it and it brings back all the memories of a summer sojourn to London from Australia nearly 40 years ago.

He had great taste. ✌🤘

Im sorry about your brother! I also lost my brother Oct.23,1995 to cancer. Your brother sent a spiritual shout out to you thru A &A today. Its true , they are always with us!😇✌

@@DDK62 Sorry for your loss. I just lost my sister unexpectedly 7-11-21. Complications from her lifetime of diabetes. She was a Genesis fan. Miss them both so much!☮✝️

❤🕯

@@burmajones803 Yes he did.

Education, 20th Century Man, Celluloid Heroes, Shangri La, Ray is an absolute monster genius

He’s not underrated.Everyone knows he’s a genius,and loves their music.

ray davies is recognised as a one of the legends of the 60's, incredible talent

@@eh-i1841 He’s underrated in the sense that he should be a megastar on a par with Townsend, Jagger and McCartney and he’s just not. But, he’s just as talented.

England's greatest songsmith - ever.

What makes you say that?

No.. no they weren’t. They didn’t change anything in the game. They were just good songs.

One of my must hear Christmas song each year. Kinks Father Christmas, Pogues Fairytale of New York, Dropkick Murphy’s The Seasons Upon Us. The perfect Punk Christmas Trifecta.

Yaaaas!!!! One of my all time favorite Christmas tunes, was 17 in '77 when this came out.....long live The Kinks!!!

Jimmy Page was the young studio musician playing lead. There's a great interview with the Davies brothers talks about their early struggles replicating Pages licks on the road.

@@markoconnor995Where is the supposed interview? Absolutely false statement backed up by live recorded versions of Dave Davies replicating the studio recording. Many articles and books saying this is completely untrue. Same with the BS of him doing the solo on I Can’t Explain. I continue to lose respect for Page every time this false hood is repeated.

@@reallyluckyoaklawn8306. Not falsehood. I saw the interview myself decades ago and couldn't remember what it was on if my life depended on it. Young Jimmy Page; however, was the studio musician playing guitar on All Day and All Night, as well as You Really Got Me. That's the real story. Page's guitar work was influencing generations long before Zeppelin.

@@reallyluckyoaklawn8306. I was going to just leave my first reply and walk away, but realized you might be a legitimate Kinks or Page fan and not just another attention seeking internet troll. I think the the interview might have been on a Kinks live video VHS pack that included live performances, studio clips and interviews with the Davies brothers. I purchased it back in the 80's when I was in my late teens. All Day was one of my favorite Kinks songs and foundational to the rise of Punk rock. Iggy Pop is called the Godfather of punk, but what does that make the Kinks?

@@markoconnor995 The live, not mimed recordings on Shindig of Dave Davies playing note perfect renditions of the studio Your Really Got Me solo and All Day and All of the Night solo, is one data point putting this myth to rest. Dave Davie and Ray Davies angry interviews, tweets or quotes definitively over the years saying this is a lie are more data points. The author of the excellent Classic Albums "Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy" book again makes this point, about You Really Got Me and I Can't Explain saying respectively Davies and Townsend played the solos on both records. And Ritchie Blackmore "gleefully" saying at best he may have added rhythm guitar under the auspices of Shel Talmy's post production. Page did play on "Bald Headed Woman" B Side of I Can't Explain. I have given you multiple data points. Use the Internet and public library to see if you can refute my data points. There was an upset recent tweet from Dave himself, saying stop spreading this myth to a KZfaq self styled rock documentary poster. I have seen the Kinks 6 times, Dave solo twice and Ray solo twice. And actually worked backstage setting up the stage for the Kinks as part of the concert committee. So I have read quite a lot about this myth and its refutation. Since we are on the topic of who did what, check out the live Creation "Making Time" video. Notice what the guitarist Eddie Phillips uses to play the solo in 1966!

And so many more!! 🎸🎸🎸

I can't wait for them to check it out, either.

Me too and maybe "tired of waiting" as well as a possible future track.

Nailed it!!

Wow,

Yes, I really like Destroyer, a comeback hit for the Kinks. I also noticed they borrowed the opening riff from this song.

"Low Budget" was a great album; way too overlooked and underappreciated.

@@mikek5958 it is! I love “Catch Me Now I’m Falling.”

@@allisonreed7682 Oh yeah, absolutely Allison; love the piano intro.

I met her in a club down in old Soho . . . She picked me up and set me on her knee And said "Dear boy, won't you come home with me?"

#Facts 🙋🏿‍♀️ 'Destroyer' would knock their socks off! 🤗 Another 45' I totally wore out at high volume! 😁🐰

Especially the live version of "Celluloid Heroes" with that cool synth and guitar opening.

@@Drummingvulture Agreed!

Yes to "Celluloid Heroes" and "Waterloo Sunset"!

Yes to Celluloid Heroes. Wonderful lyrics, melody, the poignant imagery of walking amongst the 'Stars' on Hollywood Boulevard

The great thing about "You Really Got Me" is that, unlike "All Day and All of the Night", the melody and the guitar riff are completely different. It gives the song a completely different feel, even though the actual raw sound of the two hit singles is identical.

God. Please don't associate this great 60s music as Punk. Head banger.... Yes! But musical !!

So much yes!

Always on my Christmas playlist.

Oh yeah!!

I love that one.

Wow!

I absolutely agree.

All day, every day.

Of course they do!

And Uncle Bernie's Farm by Frank Zappa.

One of the top 5 Christmas songs of all time!!

Having a week (or even 2) of Christmas rock songs would be great!!

Give all the toys...to the little rich boys!!!

I would say that Candles in the Wind is in the vein of Celluloid Heroes, but I get what you are saying.

Much better than Candles in the Wind

And a fantastic album - a classic.

Celluloid Heroes was written before Candle In The Wind .... God Save The Kinks!!!

They had also been singing "Twist and shout" for some time.

Village Green Preservation Society is an album experience that one must have for sure

@Joan In Florida what criteria are you using to make that statement?

@Joan In Florida so it's just your opinion then. The song doesn't suck, you just think it does. Same with Hey Jude and Angie. Those are great songs, you just don't like them.

Who wants to play spot the narcissist?

@Joan In Florida They're ballads -- not commercial junk. Deal with it.

Yeah and they also have a song called "I Need You" that rocks in a similar way. Not as well known I guess because it was on their second album, Kinda Kinks, which is a great record but starts to take them in a different direction.

Didn't they do Ape man?

@@joesmith4222 "Apeman" was on the album Lola vs. Powerman...

Except punk sux.

They got better in the 70's! Rocked even harder with "Sleepwalker", "Live Life" (best Kinks guitar work), "Jukebox Music", "Rock and Roll Fantasy" and their classic take on celebrity "Celluloid Heroes". All are bangers in their own right. If you only check out one of these, must listen to "Live Life". And two other late 1960 musts: "David Watts" and "Victoria".

Exactly, punk before there was punk.

Superman is such a great song but difficult to understand it’s greatness without knowing the absolute ditch rnr was in when it came out.

One for the Road is a great live record, almost every cut I like better than the original album versions

Dave Davies, YES... Pete Townshend not so much.

God yes, "So Tired". Hell yeah.

Let's not forget that "Apeman" was the first pop single to include an F-bomb

It's said that Ray's songwriting benefitted from the band being banned in America. He developed a very English style which influenced many others and led to the sort of whimsy that pervades Sgt Pepper.

After all is said and done, even with such an extensive and wonderful catalog, Ray Davies always maintains All Day and All of the Night is probably his best. Along with the b-side I Need You & You Really Got Me, THIS is where rock and roll became ROCK!

Ooh, I forgot about Dedicated Follower of Fashion....I never got that deep into the Kinks, I'm thinking it's well time to rectify that.

@@brianparker663 Absolutely! I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest that the likes of Syd Barrett and Kevin Ayers were tapping their feet and humming along to the tunes of Mr. Davies.

A lot of their 80's stuff is underrated.

Mm... I think Destroyer is revisiting our old friend Lola. 😎

Yes, and, while not too many people know this, he was also the original drummer of the Rolling Stones when they formed in London in the summer of '62. He only rehearsed with them a couple of times before he was replaced by Tony Chapman, who in turn was eventually replaced by some guy named Charlie Watts.

Mick Avory did NOT play on this song, or You Really Got Me or I Need you. Mick eventually became a good live Drummer, but he doesn't play on these. These were played by an English session drummer with a jazz background, BOBBY GRAHAM. He played on hundreds of British hits from the 60s. Watch the early videos with Mick on drums. He was NOT a rocker, like Ringo was. He was a Charlie Watts.

@@JasonSmith-jr7jh Yep. Most of the early Kinks drumming on their singles was either by Bobby Graham or by the other master drummer of '60s London sessionmen, Clem Cattini. Like most producers of his day, Shel Talmy was not shy about bringing in a sessionman to perform a part at a professional level with a minimum of rehearsal time, whether the band liked it or not. Mick Avory did play on a lot of '60s Kinks album tracks, though; albums were more or less an afterthought at that point when compared to singles.

I responded much the same way. These guys were dangerous. The industry did a lot to sink this band. There was no great American tour to follow up this page of their catalog…organized crime, labor unions and record label’s prevented that tour but it didn’t unhear it in young ears! Roots of Punk and Metal here.

I agree about the Kinks sound evolving, but when exactly did that happen with the Stones?

Robert Christgau is the music critic who wrote that description, although his exact words were that it is "the most *beautiful* song in the English language." Pete Townshend used the words "divine" and "masterpiece" to describe "Waterloo Sunset".

@@gregsager2062 My college English lit professor said Waterloo Sunset and A Day in the Life were the 2 best songs of the whole genre. I fully agree.

... and garage rock.

The melody and arrangement of "Waterloo Sunset" are Mozart level. Most composers would give their eyeteeth to ever write something that beautiful.