1. A rock musician fr… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two artists which use this name
1. A rock musician from England
2. A trumpet player
1. Sir Ray Davies (born June 21, 1944 at Fortis Green, London, full name Raymond Douglas Davies) is an influential English rock musician, best known as lead singer-songwriter for The Kinks - one of the most influential, prolific and long-lived British Invasion bands - which he led with his younger brother, Dave Davies. He has also acted, directed and produced shows for theater and television.
In 1985, he released his first solo album Return to Waterloo, which accompanied a television film he wrote and directed. Since the demise of The Kinks in the mid-90s Ray Davies has embarked on a critically successful solo career. In 1998, he released The Storyteller. His 2006 release Other People's Lives was his first top 30 hit in the UK since 1980s, when he worked with The Kinks. He released his fourth solo release Working Man's Café in 2007. Ten years later in 2017, he was knighted for services to the arts. In the same year, he released his next solo album Americana, which peaked at No. 15 in the UK. Its sequel, Our Country: Americana Act 2, was released in 2018.
2. Ray Davies is a trumpeter and film composer.
Quiet Life
Ray Davies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I see no evil, ask no questions, and I hear no lies.
Can't communicate with minds that are small,
With some people it's like talkin' to the wall
And a fellow who walks away,
Lives to battle another day.
And I've really got no appetite
For a fight,
All I want is a quiet life.
Anything for a quiet life.
No ambition to rock the boat
When I can just stay afloat.
Be content with a quiet life
All I want is a quiet life.
Anything for a quiet life.
Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil at all.
Confidentially, between these walls,
I'm on top of it all.
I'd rather have 'em think I'm deaf, dumb, and blind
Than aggravation every time I speak my mind
Keep ? at a quiet life.
Anything for a quiet life.
I could easily blow my top,
Start a row,
But why start now?
Give your daddy a quiet life.
Give your mother a quiet life.
Anything for a quiet life.
Give your daddy a quiet life.
Give your mother a quiet life.
Anything for a quiet life.
Confidentially, between these walls,
I'm on top of it all.
The lyrics to Ray Davies's "Quiet Life" are an expression of the desire for peace and tranquility in the face of a hostile and frustrating world. The song's narrator appears to be overwhelmed by the negativity and conflict around him but has resolved to "turn a blind eye" and avoid confrontation. He is frustrated by the difficulty of communicating with people who have closed minds, and finds it easier to "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil at all."
In seeking a quiet life, the singer is not necessarily advocating for a passive existence. He acknowledges that he could easily "blow his top" and start a fight, but chooses instead to avoid conflict. The song seems to suggest that sometimes the best way to maintain inner peace is to let go of the need to win arguments or convince others of one's point of view. It is possible to be content with a simple life and avoid unnecessary turmoil.
Overall, "Quiet Life" is a poignant expression of the desire for tranquility in a world that often seems chaotic and oppressive. The song's message is not necessarily defeatist but rather an acknowledgement of the limits of individual power and a celebration of the small joys that can be found in a quiet life.
Line by Line Meaning
Something's happenin' but I'm just gonna turn a blind eye.
I am aware that something is happening, but I choose to ignore it and not involve myself in it.
If I see no evil, ask no questions, and I hear no lies.
I would rather remain ignorant and not ask any questions, than know the truth and have to deal with it.
Can't communicate with minds that are small,
It is difficult to have a conversation with someone who is narrow-minded and closed off.
With some people it's like talkin' to the wall
Some people are so resistant to change or new ideas that it is like trying to have a conversation with an immovable object.
And a fellow who walks away,
A person who chooses to walk away from an argument or fight is the one who comes out on top in the end.
Lives to battle another day.
By choosing not to engage in a conflict, one is able to reserve their energy for a more important battle in the future.
And I've really got no appetite For a fight, Not tonight.
I am not in the mood to engage in an argument or fight at this moment in time.
All I want is a quiet life.
I desire a peaceful and uneventful life without any drama or chaos.
Anything for a quiet life.
I am willing to compromise on certain things if it means maintaining a peaceful and quiet existence.
No ambition to rock the boat When I can just stay afloat.
I am content with the way things are and do not want to make waves or cause any disruptions, as long as I can continue to get by and survive.
Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil at all.
I choose to ignore any negative or unpleasant actions or situations that may arise, and pretend they do not exist.
Confidentially, between these walls, I'm on top of it all.
In the confines of my own space and mind, I am in control and feel empowered.
I'd rather have 'em think I'm deaf, dumb, and blind
I would prefer that people think I am ignorant or uninformed, rather than having to engage in uncomfortable conversations or confrontations.
Than aggravation every time I speak my mind
It is not worth the stress or negative reactions to speak my true thoughts or opinions.
Keep ? at a quiet life.
The missing word makes this line unclear.
Anything for a quiet life.
I am willing to compromise and sacrifice in order to maintain the peace and avoid any conflict or tension.
I could easily blow my top, Start a row, But why start now?
While it would be easy to lose my temper and cause a scene, there is no benefit or reason to do so at this moment.
Give your daddy a quiet life. Give your mother a quiet life.
I wish for my parents to have a peaceful and uneventful life, free from any stress or drama.
Confidentially, between these walls, I'm on top of it all.
In my own space and mind, I am in control and feel empowered to live the kind of life I desire.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
rickydicky100
Top notch lyrics from a genius who can write about any thing in life
Rex Buck
Superb Film Saw This Film when It Came out in 1986, Have it on DVD & Occasionally what It, Every time I Watch it I See Something I Didn't Notice Before :) Every Scene Has it's Own Merits :) Jon Buck
Todd Larson
This is Ray Davies back in the old vaudevillian form that was one of the many things that made the Kinks one of the greatest bands of all time. The cinema is stunning, too. Thanks for posting!
Jennifer Kellow
I finally got this soundtrack on vinyl. Guess which is my favorite song to listen to when my husband's out?? Yeah, a perfect song if you married a man from Italy - " And the fellow who walks away, lives to battle another day. I've really got no appetite for a fight, not tonight." Davies could hang with Porter or Gershwin any time..
Samuel Moehrke
A genius at writing about the lives and trials and tribulations of people
4bibimimi
Ray Davies. Music Hall genius.
iaas say
"confidentially between these walls, I'm on top of it all." Nothing gets by you Ray!!!
M. P.
I just really like him in this, he looks so alive. Thanks for the upload!
RachelJurasic
Best scene in the movie by a long shot!
Robert Gosselin
Love Ray Davies. His music is unique.