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

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

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.

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...

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

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

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

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.

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! 🇬🇧🇺🇸

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

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

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.

"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!!! 👍😀

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

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!

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 💜

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

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

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.

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.

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".

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

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.

"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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

GOOOOOOOD MORNING A&A FAMILY! ☮️💟♾️

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.

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.

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.🥂

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."

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

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...

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. 😊

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

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.

Perfect pop tune and tone.

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

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).

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

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.

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." 😇 🙏

You guys should check out "Days" by The Kinks. Beautiful song about life and death, great example of melancholy reflection.

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

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

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. ❤️🤘🎸🇦🇺

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

One of the greatest songs ever written. It takes me back to my first trip to London from Australia in the northern hemisphere summer of 1984. Brilliant.

Compare the way the Kinks wrote about the transgender scene in Lola with the way Steely Dan did in I Got The News, there's a project.

You're gonna love "Sunny Afternoon"

Was never sure if this referenced Terence Stamp and Julie Christie. I'm told Ray Davies said no, but I prefer not to believe him.

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

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".

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.

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

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

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

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!!!

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.

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

GREAT analysis!!

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.

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

Brings me back to my youth. I was about 12 years old then. We had that vinyl single at home. A great band. 👍🎶🎶🎶

Wouldn't be surprised if Pete Townshend didn't say that about the song. He was a HUGE Ray Davies fan and even said Dave should be rock musics poet laureate. High praise indeed. For something completely different from the kinks try Destroyer. One of their hardest rocking songs from their 1980's arena rock period.

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

The Kinks are amazing ❤️

You have to listen to the studio version of “Celluloid Heroes” next. Brilliant song! “Success walks hand and hand with failure, along the Hollywood Boulevard.”

Love love love this!!

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.

Graduated high school in London in '67 when this song came out and took the train in daily to Waterloo Station and then the tube from there. This song captures the feel of those days and that place that we loved.

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

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

You have to hit this Kinks song next, please ... "No More Looking Back" :) It's a Banger!

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

Early Kinks is great, but they hit a second wind during the period 1977-1983, when they had a great run of hits after 4-5 years of lackluster showing. Sleepwalker, A Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy, Catch Me Now I'm Falling, Pressure, (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman, Low Budget, Around the Dial, Destroyer, Better Things, State of Confusion, Do It Again, and Living on a Thin Line are all fantastic songs.