Formed in 1963 in Muswell Hill, North London, they first gained prominence on the heels of the well-received and highly influential single "You Really Got Me" (1964). The group originally consisted of lead singer/guitarist Ray Davies, his brother lead guitarist Dave Davies, drummer Mick Avory, and bassist Pete Quaife. Quaife left (twice) in the late 1960s, and Avory finally left in 1984 as the result of a long-running dispute with Dave Davies, leaving only the Davies brothers as the core of the original group.
With Ray Davies' songwriting skills and unabashedly English voices, Dave Davies' impressive guitar work, and Avory's tight and steady drumming, the band became one of the best and most influential groups of British pop and the "British Invasion" of the U.S.A., lasting longer than any of their competitors, apart from the Rolling Stones, as they broke up in 1996. Their catalogue of songs has been covered by Van Halen, The Pretenders, The Black Keys, The Stranglers, Queens of the Stone Age , and many more.
Members:
Ray Davies – vocals, rhythm guitar (1963–1996)
Dave Davies – lead guitar, vocals (1963–1996)
Pete Quaife – bass guitar (1963–1969)
John Dalton – bass guitar (1969–1976)
Andy Pyle – bass guitar (1976–1978)
Jim Rodford – bass guitar (1978–1996)
Mick Avory – drums (1963–1984)
Bob Henrit – drums (1984–1996)
John Gosling – keyboards, piano (1970–1978)
Gordon Edwards – keyboards, piano (1978–1979)
Ian Gibbons – keyboards, piano (1979–1989, 1993–1996)
Mark Haley – keyboards, piano (1989–1993)
Apeman
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a good homo sapiens
But all around me everybody's multiplying
And they're walking round like flies man
So I'm no better than the animals sitting
In the cages in the zoo, man
'Cause compared to the flowers and the birds and the trees
I am an apeman
I think I'm so educated and I'm so civilized
'Cause I'm a strict vegetarian
But with the over-population and inflation and starvation
And the crazy politicians
I don't feel safe in this world no more
I don't want to die in a nuclear war
I want to sail away to a distant shore and make like an apeman
I'm an apeman, I'm an ape, apeman, oh I'm an apeman
I'm a King Kong man, I'm a voodoo man, oh I'm an apeman
'Cause compared to the sun that sits in the sky
Compared to the clouds as they roll by
Compared to the bugs and the spiders and flies I am an apeman
In man's evolution he's created the city and the motor traffic rumble
But give me half a chance and I'd be taking off my clothes
And living in the jungle
'Cause the only time that I feel at ease
Is swinging up and down in a coconut tree
Oh what a life of luxury to be like an apeman
I'm an apeman, I'm an ape, apeman, oh I'm an apeman
I'm a King Kong man, I'm a voodoo man, oh I'm an apeman
I look out the window but I can't see the sky
The air pollution is a-fogging up my eyes
I want to get out of this city alive and make like an apeman
Oh come on and love me, be my apeman girl
And we'll be so happy in my apeman world
I'm an apeman, I'm an ape, apeman, oh I'm an apeman
I'm a King Kong man, I'm a voodoo man, oh I'm an apeman
I'll be your Tarzan, you'll be my Jane
I'll keep you warm and you'll keep me sane
We'll sit in the trees and eat bananas all day, just like an apeman
I'm an apeman, I'm an ape, apeman, oh I'm an apeman
I'm a King Kong man, I'm a voodoo man, oh I'm an apeman
I don't feel safe in this world no more
I don't want to die in a nuclear war
I want to sail away to a distant shore and make like an apeman
The Kinks’s “Apeman” is a wry critique of modern society’s supposed progressiveness, coupled with a longing for a simpler life unencumbered by the chaos and fear of contemporary existence. The song’s protagonist, despite his pride in his own elevated status as a compassionate and rational being, recognizes that others around him are not behaving in the same enlightened way. The individualistic, acquisitive culture of the city and the brutality of politicians inspire fear and disquiet. In contrast, the natural world with its beauty and simplicity seems far more desirable, and the idea of returning to a more primal state, like that of an ape, appears idyllic.
Ray Davies’ lyrics in “Apeman” echo the sentiments that were prevalent among the young people of the late 1960s and early ’70s – a disillusioned generation that rejected the established societal norms and celebrated freedom and counterculture. The song’s lyrics are heartfelt and cheeky, and the melody exhibits a playful, exuberant quality. Additionally, “Apeman”’s captivating blend of kaleidoscopic soundscapes, bluesy guitar riffs, and a catchy chorus make it an enduring favorite for fans of classic rock.
Line by Line Meaning
I think I'm sophisticated 'cause I'm living my life
Like a good homo sapiens
The singer believes they are cultured because they are living their life like a modern human being
But all around me everybody's multiplying
And they're walking round like flies man
So I'm no better than the animals sitting
In the cages in the zoo, man
'Cause compared to the flowers and the birds and the trees
I am an apeman
The singer observes how people are breeding at an alarming rate and acting like wild animals. The singer feels that humans are no different from animals in captivity because the singer, despite being a human, feels like an ape in comparison to nature.
I think I'm so educated and I'm so civilized
'Cause I'm a strict vegetarian
But with the over-population and inflation and starvation
And the crazy politicians
I don't feel safe in this world no more
I don't want to die in a nuclear war
I want to sail away to a distant shore and make like an apeman
The singer believes they are enlightened because they are a vegetarian but recognizes that world problems like overpopulation, inflation, starvation, and dangerous politicians make them feel unsafe in the world. The singer wants to escape to a simpler life and romanticizes the idea of living like an ape.
In man's evolution he's created the city and the motor traffic rumble
But give me half a chance and I'd be taking off my clothes
And living in the jungle
'Cause the only time that I feel at ease
Is swinging up and down in a coconut tree
Oh what a life of luxury to be like an apeman
The artist observes how humans have created cities and noisy streets, but longs to escape and live in nature. The artist finds peace and happiness in the simple life of an ape swinging from tree to tree.
I look out the window but I can't see the sky
The air pollution is a-fogging up my eyes
I want to get out of this city alive and make like an apeman
The artist notices how air pollution obstructs their view and irritates their eyes. The artist desires to leave the city and live like an ape to escape from the pollution.
Oh come on and love me, be my apeman girl
And we'll be so happy in my apeman world
The singer invites someone to love them and live in their fantasy of an apeman world, where they can both be happy.
I'll be your Tarzan, you'll be my Jane
I'll keep you warm and you'll keep me sane
We'll sit in the trees and eat bananas all day, just like an apeman
The singer refers to the popular fictional characters Tarzan and Jane and suggests that they can both live like apes and be in a romantic relationship, where they keep each other happy and comfortable.
I don't feel safe in this world no more
I don't want to die in a nuclear war
I want to sail away to a distant shore and make like an apeman
The artist feels that the world is no longer safe and fears the possibility of a nuclear war. The artist desires to leave and live like an ape in a faraway place to escape the danger of war and modern society.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RAY DAVIES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@raajpratap
Everyone discovers "The kinks" at some point of their life and feel good about it.
@jcorkable
Sadly, some poor souls never do...
@thebonzabrothers5324
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@armandobabolo6916
You hit the nail mate
@universallyspeaking556tikt7
I think listening to music like this matures your thinking to a certain degree
@neffetSnnamremmiZ
..for sure everyone who really loves music and art and the apemen 😉
@paradoxus6098
It’s utterly baffling how relevant this song feels right now
@zerofox1551
"Don't wanna die in a nuclear war."
@fastyaveit
@@zerofox1551 freaky scary innit, only came to listen to Lola
@barryallison5378
IKR