Should try out their song "sunny afternoon", I'm sure many can relate to the lyrics

the Kinks are a big rabbit hole not enough people go down. There's bands with a few hits and some deep cuts, but the kinks have like, 3 albums of deep cuts that are sick. just amazing.

"Celluloid Heroes" should be next. The Kinks have a long history, littered with masterpieces.

Pete Townshend was a big Kinks fan. He wrote I can't explain after hearing You Really got me and, yes, he called Waterloo Sunset "a masterpiece." Ray Davies wasn't knighted for nothing...

Alex: "This song made me reminisce for a place I've never been to." With that sentence, you hit upon what is the genius of Ray Davies in general.

It was Pete Townshend that called this song divine and a masterpiece. Pete looked up to Ray Davies

The Kinks were such an important part of The British Invasion. Such an amazing band!

Another great song by The Kinks is "Well Respected Man", it's definitely worth a listen.

People say "The Beatles or Rolling Stones?" my answer The Kinks. They might not be better, but I'm just drawn to them.

"Come Dancing" is an amazing song. Ray Davies wrote it. It was inspired by his memories of his older sister who died of a heart attack while dancing at a dance hall. Hopefully you will check it out!!! 👍😀

From the liner notes to Kinks Kronickles (a greatest hit set): ”I’ve never heard a Kinks song that I didn’t like. Of course, from their noisy and brash beginnings, the Kinks have come to stand for some of the most enduring and heart-clutching pop of all time. They are in the gut of every British song-writer who followed them and are indisputably a cornerstone of everything pop and rock. I love ‘em. The world loves ‘em.” - David Bowie

You two are bang on about Waterloo Sunset literally taking you there. It’s so atmospheric. I used to work near Waterloo Station and at lunchtime I used to grab my sad sandwich and go and sit in Embankment Gardens and people watch. This song reminds me so much of that 😊 Cheers guys! 🇬🇧🇺🇸

I'm not from London, but this song makes me homesick for London. It has wonderful detail, and I can easily imagine myself back at Waterloo Station at sunset. This is songwriting from the top shelf.

Great comment: "This song made me reminisce for a place I've never been to." I've seen them perform this song live, and the harmonies are just as lush and beautiful. The Kinks are a legendary, iconic, highly-influential and grossly under-appreciated band. BTW: they still exist (brothers Ray and Dave) and are reportedly working on a new album!

Plenty more but SUNNY AFTERNOON is so tight and catchy. Also this song seeps into your brain on repeat in the most glorious way.

Siblings have the best harmonies in my opinion. That's younger brother Dave Davies in the background. Dave does not get enough credit for his contribution to rock and roll 💜

Alex you were straight on point when you said "melancholy reflection ". That was perfect!

The Kinks were huge. They deserve so much more recognition. :-)

The opening words "Dirty Old River" coupled with the melody has never described The Thames in such a realistic and sentimental way at the same time

Ray Davies was laid up in hospital at St. Thomas’s right near Waterloo station on the 10th floor or something and gazed out of his window at the mass of people on the ground buzzing around the station (a London travel hub,one of them anyway) and wrote this in a night while the sun was going down.

I heard Ray Davies do Waterloo in a duet with David Bowie at the Lincoln Center in NYC at a Tibet House benefit concert in the early 2000s. It was outstanding.

"Where Have All the Good Times Gone" is def worth a listen. As is "Well Respected Man"; "Dead End Street"; "Dedicated Follower of Fashion", and "Apeman".

Another nostalgic, wistful Kinks song is Village Green Preservation Society. Masterful lyrics and rhyming. A kind of overlooked great garage rocker is She's Got Everything. The song itself has everything: hand claps, tinkling piano, a freakout guitar solo that transitions into a repetitive groove with lot's of vocal "doo doos". I hope you guys eventually get to both of these.

The kinks hit their prime around this time, Ray Davies remains one of the best songwriters ever, the kinks could rock your ass off or break your heart with emotion, frequently on the same album! Younger bro Dave's guitar work can be ferocious, and he occasionally takes a turn on vocals. Dave's song "Strangers" from the Kinks Lola vs album (one of their best), was covered recently by Black Pumas recently. Kinks songs are still played constantly I movies a television series too.

"Celluloid Heroes" really should be your next Kinks port-of-call, particularly the 1979* live version recorded at The Volkshaus in Zürich (* - released in 1980). The rock elements blend with the delicacy to make a breathtaking whole.

Takes me back to a place I’ve never been. Nice.

I'm so happy that you guys have reacted to this one - Waterloo Sunset is one of my favourite songs , I never tire of it. Definitely Sunny Afternoon and Tired of Waiting are ones to hit. Love from the UK xx

I think "Picturebook" or "Tired of Waiting" would bring back the banger -I also adore Wicked Annabella and Mr Bluebird. But if you want to get a feel for the love-hate relationship Ray Davies has with the UK, listen to the album "Village Green Preservation Society" in its entirety. The subtle cynicism layered on top of the nostalgic, post-war view of Britain is just SO of its time and fun to parse.

A&A, their "Tired of Waiting for You", "Better Things" and "Sunny Afternoon" are next for you!!

Ray Davies is one of the greatest lyricists of all time. So many wonderful songs; he doesn't ever disappoint

The Kinks Dead End Street music video! It is considered by many historians to be the first music video. It's also a staple in their setlist.

Try "I'm not like everybody else". The Kinks crank out yet another dose of great Guitar and great lyrics.

GOOOOOOOD MORNING A&A FAMILY! ☮️💟♾️

All day and all of the night + You really got me are more like outliers in their discography. They went on to make more mellow and British stuff like this, sunny afternoon, autumn almanac, Victoria, etc, all great songs.

Forgot how great a tune this is. "Superman" also a great tune by the Kinks.

My favorite Kinks song! One of my favorite songs, period.

As much Kinks as I've listened to these 60+ years, I've never heard this, but I really like it. My very first reaction was "very British" for some reason...

I adore this song! Definitely 'Sunny Afternoon' would be a great follow up if you haven't done that one yet.

The sun sets naturally on the bend of the river Thames at Waterloo bridge… waterloo bridge has the best view of London

Love this song! There are loads of other great Kinks songs; one that I've been singing to myself today is "Tired of Waiting for You."

Soo many great songs. "Days" is another masterpiece. Just beautiful.

Andy, Alex, I’ve waited so long for this! In my all time top 10. A Londoner born and bred, this could be our theme tune and immediately takes you back to the 60’s. The reference to Terry and Julie concerns the actors Terrence Stamp (who attended my school 🥰) and Julie Christie, who were both beautiful, in a relationship at the time and epitomised ‘Swinging London’. Alex, you were spot on when you said it feels as if you grew up there. This song is particularly evocative, even down to ‘Terry and Julie cross over the river, where they feel safe and sound’. Waterloo is on the south side of the Water and Ray Davies - and me - come from the North side. It’s a well known quirk of Londoners that they feel more at home on their own side of the river. So, more nuanced than would first appear and an indication of Ray Davies genius and the Kinks influence on British music.🥂

“Celluloid Heroes” would be a great next choice from the Kinks. This was nice. 🌺✌️

Guys, you should try "Dead End Street", It's beautiful!

One comment on the Kinks catalog: the breadth of the material is amazing, from the proto-metal of "You Really Got Me" to so many diverse styles through the years. So many songs are just extraordinary. But compared to the Beatles, Pink Floyd, etc, many of the songs were not produced well - many sound like high-level demos compared to the production values of other bands. Ray Davies regretted in later years that he insisted on self-producing. Had a George Martin been in charge of the sessions, the catalog would rival even the Beatles (imagine a George Martin produced "See My Friends" for one example). Don't listen to the production values - listen to the songs.

3:26 *Alex* (breaking from his head-bopping rhythm to, smilingly, look at Andy and point out): "See that harmony...?" *Andy (not* breaking from his head-bopping rhythm, *not* looking at Alex -- _or even opening his eyes_ -- responds in subdued voice): "Yeah, it's so good." How many times have we seen *this very interaction between them?!* Here's my interpretation of the dynamic: *Alex* _(Man, I'm getting so excited... can't really contain it all... need a quick break from the joy and exhuberance I'm feeling... think I'll make an intellectual observation to Andy to bring myself down, a notch...):_ "See that harmony...?" *Andy* _(This is my "me time"... wanna get-and-stay lost in the sauce... damn, Alex is saying something... give him a quick response just to not be rude... but _*_don't_*_ come up out of this, _*_don't_*_ come up out of this, _*_don't_*_ come up out of this...):_ "Yeah, it's so good." 😇 🙏

Probably my favorite Kinks song, thanks for reacting to it!

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", "You Really Got Me", "Death Of A Clown", "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", "Come Dancing" etc.

The Kinks are one of the greatest rock bands ever, amazingly diverse in their music and lyrics, and Ray Davies is a master song writer. There are so many different directions you could go from Celluloid Heroes, which is one of the most under-rated masterpieces of pop music, to Dedicated Follower of Fashion to a more modern song, or deep cut, like Brother or the To the Bone version of I Am Not Like Anybody Else, which I think is a classic that so epitomizes the Kinks (and their fans).

Hello everyone! It's reaction time with A&A!! 😺

Perfect pop tune and tone.

This is an S-tier song, for sure. It’s a perfect song. I recommend “Days” highly. It’s my second fave Kinks song behind this one.

This is one of my very favourite songs - and I've been around since it was released. Love Ray Davies' vocals and the tune is so pretty. It's truly timeless. Thanks so much for your reaction. 😊

You guys need to check out their mid-70's period, lots of bangers: "Live Life", "Sleepwalker", and "Juke Box Music" are probably the best to start with. "Live Life" (off of the Misfits album) has several killer guitar solos.

I’ve always had a soft spot for “Come Dancing”. Check it out for a completely different sound from the Kinks!

I love most of the stuff others have been mentioning. But “Low Budget”, “Superman”, and “Sleepwalker” are favorites of mine. Late 70s stuff. 💜💜💜

The gritty guitar tones are so good, and the lyrical pacing just floats you away

Fantastic run of reactions in the last couple of weeks! Keep it up!!

Love it. They have such a deep, and varied catalog, 30+ yrs. No one could write and sing such catchy songs that contain the sharp social commentary as Ray. As well the personal POV songs like Waterloo, that make you feel what he feels. Art.

One of the best songs ever written and an Iconic riff. Covered by loads of artists and bands

Loved this song from the first time hearing it. Have not heard it for sometime but brings back good memories of a different time. I was around 16 when this was first released. So, so good. ❤️🤘🎸🇦🇺

Some songs transport you to a time and place, you may never have been to! The Kinks started out by playing a form of garage rock, but from their 3rd album and on, their songs became more of a commentary on British life. One of my favorite songs of all time!!!

A compliment. You're reactions are evolving and getting more nuanced as time goes on. You're beginning to put things into more into the perspective of the times they were written in. I believe part of this is you've had to learn more about the history of those times in the decades before your lifetime. Carry on.

i had a very good friend (rip) who had an english mother and an american father,and he said this song is "so british". it always reminded him of trips he took with his parents to england to visit relatives in the 60s.

Alex hit it right away! This made me remember our trip to London in 2019. Homesick for a place I have been once.❤️

this is a chooooon. well done for listening. love you are bringing it.

Ever since this reaction, this song has been stuck in my head. Never really listened until then, and now I can't stop listening. Well done lads.

Masterful subtlety, that's how i'd describe this beautiful little song.

I think you summed it up perfectly...beautiful!

My dad used to have a flat near Tower Bridge when I was little and I remember walking along embankment up to Waterloo in the evenings after work and I love the nostalgia of this song

Ray was attending Art College before the Kinks took off and took the Underground (subway) to Waterloo Station every day. Ray is a dedicated people watcher and from this he gets inspiration for his songwriting. Softer Kinks: "Village Green Preservation Society", "Sitting in My Hotel Room", "Celluloid Heroes", "Rock n Roll Fantasy", "20th Century Man", "Sunny Afternoon".

GREAT analysis!!

Every time I walk down South Bank by Waterloo Bridge this plays in my head.

As a 17 year old remember walking up and down the river Tyne at Newcastle morning the loss of my first love as she left for America ..wonderful somg

I live in Waterloo (Canada), I always like hearing this oldie.

Waterloo is still one of my favourite places on earth, even though I do not live in the UK anymore. I spent many beautiful afternoons there.

These reaction videos make me cry - I listen to this music all the time. 👍❤

Waterloo is a train station in London, and was surrounded by a poor neighborhood. Terry and Julie cross over the river to their rich neighborhood; the singer stays in his slum by the train tracks -- but he sees the sunset and is happy there.

Sunny Afternoon 😊😊😊😊 loved growing up with the Kinks

What a great song. One of the best songs. It sounds so much like the beatles with the harmonies but in a different way thats amazing.

This song reminds me of Friday afternoon in London, finishing work staying back for drinks with friends in town the summer months, getting dark about 9-10 pm

Love love love this!!

Ray Davies has always been one of my favorite songwriters. His wit and humor are first rate.

Still no Yardbirds? Clapton, Beck and Page, early 1960s English invasion. Very influential

WATERLOO SUNSET... One of The BEST Things EVER 😇💎⚡️🦅

I was awarded an mbe by the queen for service to search n rescue. We stayed in an hotel overlooking Waterloo Station first thing I did was sit my wife by the window as the sun set and played this. She is currently in hospital after a big stroke its my dream to one day do it again

Any of the following songs off of "The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society" will do: 1) Do You Remember Walter? 2) Picture Book 3) Big Sky 4) Animal Farm 5) All of My Friends Were There 6) People Take Pictures of Each Other What you really need to do is listen to the whole album. While all of these songs are great - as are the others on the record - it's a cumulative effect. While they're short, the "just-one-excellent-song-after-another" aspect will blow you away. You will feel transported and the Village Green will exist for you.

The best reaction channel on here. I just wish you could do more videos per week.

Definitely my favourite Kinks song. Why? Because, as a teenager I remember crossing the Thames over Waterloo Bridge while listening to this song on Radio Caroline, an iconic British pirate radio station

You made my day reacting to this lol. I love this song, and the Kinks. Such a varied catalog. I would suggest Tired of Waiting, Celluloid Heroes, Sunny Afternoon, and Catch Me Now I'm Falling

Finally ! My favourite Kinks song. Thanks guys !

Fab song from one of my favorite bands. They were underrated back in the day, IMO. Glad to see you digging this.

You're gonna love "Sunny Afternoon"

In some ways, Ray is UK's Brian Wilson. Brian's got 2 years on Ray, but both possess massive canons of the simple & catchy, as well as the longing and yearning. And, each express a deft touch for melody, harmonies, turns of phrases, creative chord changes, and a particular affection for the melancholy and nostalgic. Ray is music hall bawdy, while Brian's roots are at the sock hop by way of Gold Star. How each matured in their compositional output over time is matched by few, and fun to hear!

Such an important song in the history of rock music. I once watched a whole documentary dedicated to this one song. Fascinating to hear what other musicians thought about Ray and the kinks. But Lola was such a brave song for the time. The killing of georgie pt1&2 by Rod Stewart. Another seminal tune.

Finally reactions to The Kinks! "Apeman" "(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman" ect ect ect and "Gallon of Gas" a very timely tune for 2022.

It puts you right there in late 60’s at Waterloo tube station in the swinging sixties… lovely thought 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

FINALLY! I have been pushing for this song to be reviewed for over a year. The song that really set the Kinks apart from their mid-60's peers in my view.

The kinks are one of the best bands from 60s, formed in 1963 and were still playing to 1996. So glad you played this. There are so many of there songs that you can listen to and yet have a different experience from them all. For me there songs always score A+ to S+ but thats my love for them lol

The Kinks are amazing ❤️