All the Kinks Eras & Albums | PART 1: 1964-65
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- The first in a three-part series looking at the full Kinks discography and breaking down the British Invasion legends’ career into six classic eras. Part one here takes on the “Invader” period of 1964 and 1965 - during the heart of the British Invasion, when bands like the Beatles and Rolling Stones hit the USA and the world. The Kinks released three albums over 13 months in the UK, and five albums over the same time period in the USA. They had five top 10 songs, including “You Really Got Me” and “A Well-Respected Man,” both of which helped change the immediate and long-term course of rock’n’roll. Here, Robert reviews each of the five albums of this “Invader” period, offering the best hits, the best secret songs, and a bit on how Dave Davies - the wilder, younger brother of Kinks leader Ray Davies - was contributing.
PART TWO of this trilogy video series will appear in one week following this, and will cover the Kinks' next two eras (1966-68 and 1969-1972).
This is a kickoff video of this channel’s ongoing “Kinksclopedia,” a 101 (and intermedia) course in all things Kinks.
Robert's Record Corner appears here every other Monday, at least.
Discussed in this video:
The Kinks
British Invasion
Ray Davies
Dave Davies
The Beatles
The Rolling Stones
The Pretenders
Joey Ramone
1960s rock music
Kinksclopedia trivia
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FAIR USE NOTICE: This video may contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Robert's Record Corner (RRC) uses this material for critical, educational and commentary purposes only -- all with the goal of promoting music knowledge and appreciation. RRC believes that this constitutes a “fair use” of the copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, which provides allowance for "fair use" for purposes such as news reporting, criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Thanks Robert for this positive angle on our band. I sent it to Dave Davies' partner, Rebecca. It's a "nice present" on his 78th birthday today. Please keep up the good work!
@@bjrneilertmork7504 Wow, thank you!
God Save the Kinks!!! Yes, that is Ray and I in the photo. Can't wait for next episodes
Wow. Amazing. I once was able to meet him, before cellphones, so didn't get a photo. Very gracious to a bunch of 20-something Americans with too much beer at hand.
@@RobertsRecordCorner Atlanta March 2006. I brought my camera from Pensacola. Several pictures of the show. He was above and beyond gracious.
Thank you Robert… enjoy your channel. Most underrated band ever!
Happy birthday, Dave! 😃🎂🎁🎸
Thanks for sharing this video, Robert! I must admit the Kinks were a band I tried getting into but wasn’t ready yet. When I started listening to Village Green Preservation Society, it was a revelation. It was kind of a concept album, how strict I’m not sure. Arthur, on the other hand, was a bona fide concept. Not long after , I checked it out. Muswell Hillbillies followed- a hilarious story of British culture meets Southern USA culture!
But here’s where it all starts. The Kinks cut their teeth on the blues, they’re innovators of songwriting, Eastern style music. The song Something Better Beginning is just that- the Kinks beginning something better!
@@williamlangan5902 Absolute highlights of the full discography right there. I think Face to Fsce through Muswell is all classic! Tx for the comment
@@RobertsRecordCorner Superlative post! All the songs that you highlighted, well except 'Louie, Louie,' are favorites of mine. But personally I thought that "Arthur," "Lola," and Muswell" were a step down from the previous three. Though they would be milestones in the careers of other bands. Maybe I was getting tired of John Mendelsohn's over the top praise of the Kinks - not that the Kinks weren't worthy. But the RCA period was dreadful to my ears. I saw the Kinks at the Boston Tea Party in the fall of '69 (with Lee Michaels and Frosty) when the audience knew the lyrics better than Ray. And three times in the RCA days (with the Mike Cotton Sound and female backup) - once was enough with that material, and 3 or 4 times in the Arista years. Critics were not thrilled, but it was nice to hear guitars in the forefront after the RCA rubbish. But really (really!) I am writing to encourage you to include "The Great Lost Kinks Album" in your series. A particular favorite of mine.
"All Day and All of the Night" "Til the End of the Day" "Big Black Smoke" "Waterloo Station" "Too Much on My Mind" "Dandy" "Dedicated Follower of Fashion" "Do You Remember Walter?" Thank you, Robert's Record Corner
That was terrific! Thank you! 👍😃 - "You Can't Win" is one of the best songs Ray ever wrote and one of The Kinks' best performances (even despite Pete's bass-fluff, partially hidden by handclaps). After Dave's near-murder in Cardiff, in May '65, and their disastrous 1st US Tour in June and July, "You Can't Win" sums up Ray's exasperation, resignation, and enraged defiance - and Ray and Dave sing it like they mean it. Dave's guitar work, throughout, is stellar - like bacon sizzling in a frying pan.
"Kontroversy" is also my favorite Kinks LP. I bought my US copy new, in April 1966.
Fanned and subscribed. I'll look forward to your next installment.
@@total.stranger Thank you! Did not know about the bass mistake! Will listen for that. I never got why they started that album with the line cover song...
@@RobertsRecordCorner In a way, "Kontroversy" is a "concept album" - but likely unintended and unconscious.
It's as if "Milk Cow Blues" is a statement that says "We're a band, and this is what we do."
And then, every song that follows it is personal and they all have themes about anticipating and being hopeful for love and for the future.
The 2nd side is about "reality", depression, and "world-weariness" - ending with Ray's philosophical "You Can't Win" - sung by Ray and Dave with rage and defiance.
What's even more interesting about "You Can't Win", aside from being a top Kinks record, is its emphasis on the "downbeat", like a 'disco' record, which wasn't done much, back then. Follow Pete's bass line to see what I mean.
The only 'problem' with "You Can't Win" is its length. It should have gone on for four or five minutes. I'm surprised that some other band hasn't discovered it and reinvented it.
This is an excellent video summarizing the Kinks' early years. I am a lifelong Kinks fan and thoroughly enjoyed this as well as your recognition of all the innovation the Kinks brought forth. Subscribed and looking forward to you covering the other eras.
@@johnf2842 thank you!
Well done! I've been a Kinks fan since You Really Got Me - their first album was the first album I ever bought. Looking forward to all future Kinks content.
@@pgrabar thank you!
Fantastic! I am eagerly awaiting the next editions.
Just in time for Dave's 78th birthday!
February 3rd!
@total.stranger Yeah!
Thanks for doing this. I have a load of Kinks albums from the 60s and 70s, but I don't know much about the band itself and their history. I kind of bought them because they are so highly regarded, so I need to give them more time and context. This is very helpful. What you and some other youtubers are doing is better than most music docs you see on TV, so I really appreciate what you are doing for fellow music lovers.
@@suartgilmour4540 Thank you!
excellent concised overview that makes me want to listen to all the records from the period!
Two thumbs up, way up. Very well done. You put words to something I discovered only recently when I went through and organized all their tracks of the 1964-71 period in proper chronology, namely that the songs most dear to me are those from exactly this early time period, correctly identified by you as a separate era. I never stood still by that, but agree with your assessment.
As a long-time Kinks fan, of course I love their subsequent sixties catalogue too (as well as later periods), but this period is special. In my early teenage years I listened to those songs countless times, in particular the Marble Arch album Well Respected Kinks: 10 songs, 25 minutes, turning the album over and over again. Looking forward to your further videos!
@@ronfeenstra3659 Wow, thank you!!
One of my favorite bands from my favorite era.
Love the Kinks, just an incredible band. I dig their better known tracks but love the many many little known diamonds. Personally, I don’t mind that they don’t get the same level of respect of the usuals (Beatles, Zep, Stones, etc). To be a Kinks fan there is no pose, unlike many who follow the other bands. If you like the kinks, you love all their albums (instead of just the hits).
My fave Kinks tune is Sitting in my hotel room. It just connects with me deeply. Nobody knows this tune. Even when I share it, most do t get it And that’s the under lying thing about being a link fan. They either connect with you deeply or not. Bless ‘em and thanks for sharing this.
@@deeg8849 Big fan of that song. Feels like the same narrator as Waterloo Sunset. Alone, looking out the window. Thanks for watching!
Whaddaya know about the Kinks?! Great way to start your video series! 🎉 Hey, hey…. How are you today?
I agree with your assessment of See My Friends. Wonderfully hypnotic little song.
@@Cosmican68 Tx for watching!
My favourite band
Not bad. I grew up with the Kinks. Ran out and bought You Really Got Me as soon as I heard it. During their second period, I was the only one I knew who was still buying Kinks records. Face To Face, Something Else, Village Green, and all their singles whether they made the charts or not. Can't believe you didn't mention I'm On An Island or Ring The Bells.
@@davidrauh8118 Amazing. Thanks for comment. I particularly like Ring The Bells, must say!
I love You Can't Win. It's got a compellingly understated pull to it that makes me want to listen to it again. Maybe that's why it's the last song on Kontroversy. It leaves the listener with an incessant earworm for the rest of the day.
In many ways Kontroversy strikes me as an album of two opposing sides. Side 1 is keeping within the Pop parameters, trying not to spook the kiddies. It's more upbeat and conventional whereas Side 2 is dark, brooding and personal. It's foreshadowing the recordings to come...
I'm looking forward to the next instalment.
The Kink Kontroversy was the first major British Invasion album released with exactly the same content (if different LP covers) in the UK and US (in March 1966). It had 12 songs. ...There are some other great songs: "I Gotta Move and "Come On Now" (Kinks Size); "So Long," "Look for Me Baby," and "Got My Feet on the Ground"(Kinda Kinks); "Who'll Be the Next In Line" (Kinkdom); "Ring the Bells," "I'm On an Island" and "The World Keeps Going 'Round" (Kontroversy)
Been looking forward to this. I was never a Kinks fan but maybe you’ll convert me
@@alexcaprio Start with Kronikles. The 66-71 period is the best, and they were barely relevant in real time!
@ I didn’t know this was a Kinks song, but this is a favorite
th-cam.com/video/HosOICk8_nM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=dh144omg5lXwD_jd
0:46 awesome introduction of self
people always praised Ray Davies but Dave was always real Kinks hero for me. his guitar tone, his sense of style, he's a real mod character of that band. The Kontroversy album with Face to Face are their best works don't forget they were cornerstones of brit pop revolution
Kinks, Velvet Underground, Lovin' Spoonful, Byrds, The Band and Stooges ........my fave bands ever!!!
The sixities definitely defined them as a band
Actually You Really Got Me only reached # 1 in the UK. It did made the top ten in several other countries including the US.
@@idanwillenchik3050 I thought Australia? I'll admit I didn't look it all up. Thanks!!
@@RobertsRecordCorner Either # 2 or # 8 in Australia. It's unclear.
The Kinks' first era is mostly about their hit singles. I think "Kinda Kinks" is the album with the best songs from this era. But, the rushed production hurt what could have been a much better album.
They were given about ten days to record it - or so I've read.
*Mal Evans recruited a couple of girls off the street to sing backup on “Across the Universe.”
I'll Be Back on A Hard Day's Night is a very mature song and If I Fell also offfers an unconventional take on a love song. And I Love Her also has a somewhat melancholy feel and I'll Cry Instead is also far rom run of the mill.
I noticed you passed over I Need You. Is it because it slipped through the cracks or because you don't consider it to be a top notch Kinks song?
@@johncollier9280 Hard to say. So many songs I like that I didn't mention! Thanks for watching -- and noticing this!
Obviously the fact that the Kinks were banned from touring the US for four years during the 60s hurt their prospects there and by the time the ban was lifted they never managed to regain momentum.
@@idanwillenchik3050 Spoiler alert! So true. They did have some select hits, particularly Lola and Come Dancing (huge for 80s kids, in US at least!)
"Davies" isn't pronounced "day-vees" but rather "Day-viz" (according to Ray) or "Davis" according to others.
I know, but I'm afraid it is very hard to unlearn it!
The Kinks are the best band to come out of the British Invasion
The Who
@ Yeah, The Who would be my pick for second best.
The Stones
Not true. Waterloo Sunset and All Day and All of the Night are iust as recognizable as the three songs you've mentioned.
@@idanwillenchik3050 Hi. All Day is, it's true. In my experience, Waterloo just isn't, sadly, to a mass audience. I'd even argue Sunny Afternnoon is generally better known than Waterloo. I think the first three songs most people would mention are the three I have, at least outside the UK?
@@RobertsRecordCorner I would say Sunny Afternoon and Waterloo Sunset are better known than Come Dancing but that's my take on it.
Cool 😎 cucumber's
So many of these bands at this time were overshadowed by the Beatles and Stones. Their songs were number 1 just because it was done by one of those bands, even though it wasn't really the best song at the time
The Kinks as good as they were and are were never as big worldwide maybe because they were for the most part distinctly British.Trying to show that all your favorite bands of the era were as good as the Beatles or did things first and the Beatles copied them is really getting boring!
@@idanwillenchik3050 Sorry about that. I think comparing what they were doing while much more famous Beatles were doing is more about the context for the Kinks not a swipe at the Beatles. I'm a chronologist. It's all about timing for me. Thanks for the comment.
If so then you'll agree that the Beatles were the first to use feedback on a pop/ rock record. I'm talking of course about I Feel Fine even though Wikipedia states that the Kinks and the Who used it live first.
@@idanwillenchik3050 Speaking as a huge fan and collector of all three bands - I Feel Fine (studio version) was released by the Beatles in November 1964. There are no live Who or Kinks recordings with feedback from November 1964 or earlier. Dave Davies was incredibly innovative in his use of distorted guitar. The man invented the garage rock riff! But feedback - at least, intentional guitar feedback - was not part of the Kinks' stage show in 1964. Beware of the Wiki.
I completely agree with your first remark - the Kinks were distinctly British. They were the most quintessentially British of the British Invasion bands and that may have limited appeal in some circles. When asked why the Beatles spoke like Brits but sang like Americans, Lennon quipped "It sells better."
I wouldn't say that Robert is trying to "show" anything. In my opinion, such videos are a kind of fight against disinformation. It's true, the Beatles were a great band and revolutionized music, but sometimes they are wrongly given some credit (e.g. recording the first raga rock song, the first concept album, etc.).
@@alanlinfield8207 The fact remains that none of these great British bands would have found success in the US if it weren't for the Beatles. The early Merseybeat groups were mostly trying to copy the Beatles and that's why their success was short lived both in the US and the UK. The British groups that found fame later in 1964/6 had an identity of their own and that's why they found contiuning success after the British Invasion faded and have a legacy of their own. I include the Stones, the Kinks, the Animals and the Hollies at the top of that list. Herman's Hermits for all their massive success in the US in 1965/7 were pretty much a novelty act and also the Dave Clark Five which also enjoyed a good run in the US but failed to evolve with the changing musical styles.