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)
Australia
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So if you're young and if you're healthy
Why not get a boat and come to Australia
Australia, the chance of a lifetime
Australia, you get what you work for
Nobody has to be any better than what they want to be
Australia, no class distinction
Nobody's got a chip on their shoulder
We'll surf like they do in the U.S.A.
We'll fly down to Sydney for our holiday
On sunny Christmas Day
Australia, Australia
No one hesitates at life or beats around the bush in Australia
So if you're young and if you're healthy
Why not get a boat and come to Australia
Australia sha-la-la-la sha-la-la-la
Australia sha-la-la-la sha-la-la-la
Everyone walks around with a perpetual smile across their face
Australia sha-la-la-la sha-la-la-la
Australia sha-la-la-la sha-la-la-la
Everyone gets around and nobody can ever get you down
We'll surf like they do in the U.S.A.
We'll fly down to Sydney for our holiday
On sunny Christmas Day
Australia, Australia
The lyrics of The Kinks’ song Australia seem to be promoting the country as a land of opportunity and equality. The song suggests that Australia is a place where there are no class distinctions, drug addiction, or people with chips on their shoulders. The lyrics also emphasize that in Australia, nobody has to be any better than what they want to be. It is a place where people can achieve what they are willing to work for, and everyone can live a happy life.
The song conveys the idea that Australia is an ideal place to live, and the lyrics encourage people who are young and healthy to come and take advantage of the opportunities available. The song suggests that there is a strong sense of community in Australia, where everyone walks around with a perpetual smile across their face. The singer of the song seems to be encouraging people to leave their worries behind and come to Australia to experience the relaxed and carefree lifestyle.
Overall, The Kinks’ song Australia is a tribute to the country and its people. The song portrays Australia as a place of opportunity, equality, and positivity. The lyrics invite people to come and experience the lifestyle and community of Australia, where everyone can be happy and achieve their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Opportunities are available in all walks of life in Australia
Australia is a land full of opportunities regardless of the profession one chooses
So if you're young and if you're healthy
Australia is open to young and healthy individuals looking to start a new life
Why not get a boat and come to Australia
Suggesting that coming to Australia is easy for those interested in making their way there
Australia, the chance of a lifetime
Australia provides once in a lifetime opportunities to those who take the chance to move there
Australia, you get what you work for
Hard work in Australia is always rewarded, fostering a competitive and results-driven community
Nobody has to be any better than what they want to be
In Australia, there's no need to be anything but yourself and no one but you will dictate how you should be
Australia, no class distinction
No matter what social class someone comes from in Australia, everyone is treated equally
Australia, no drug addiction
Drug use isn't accepted in Australia and is actively discouraged across the nation.
Nobody's got a chip on their shoulder
With a positive outlook towards life, people in Australia often enjoy a carefree lifestyle without any complaints or insecurities
We'll surf like they do in the U.S.A.
Surfing is a popular activity in Australia, and the enthusiasm around that is similar to that seen in the United States
We'll fly down to Sydney for our holiday
Sydney is a popular tourist destination in Australia, with plenty of people flying there for holidays
On sunny Christmas Day
In Australia, Christmas Day falls during the summertime, providing a unique experience to locals and visitors alike
No one hesitates at life or beats around the bush in Australia
People in Australia are quick to action, and there's no point in delaying decisions or conversations
Australia sha-la-la-la sha-la-la-la
A musical tribute to the uplifting spirit of Australia as a nation
Everyone walks around with a perpetual smile across their face
People in Australia tend to have a positive outlook on life, leading to frequent smiling
Everyone gets around and nobody can ever get you down
Feeling upbeat and joyous are common in Australia due to the carefree attitude of the populace
Australia, Australia
Repeating the word Australia to magnify the slice of few things that make every Australian proud
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RAYMOND DOUGLAS DAVIES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jingus19
Opportunities are available in all walks of life in Australia
So if you're young and if you're healthy
Why not get a boat and come to Australia
Australia, the chance of a lifetime
Australia, you get what you work for
Nobody has to be any better than what they want to be
Australia, no class distinction
Australia, no drug addiction
Nobody's got a chip on their shoulder
We'll surf like they do in the U.S.A.
We'll fly down to Sydney for our holiday
On sunny Christmas Day
Australia, Australia
No one hesitates at life or beats around the bush in Australia
So if you're young and if you're healthy
Why not get a boat and come to Australia
Australia sha-la-la-la sha-la-la-la
Australia sha-la-la-la sha-la-la-la
Everyone walks around with a perpetual smile across their face
Australia sha-la-la-la sha-la-la-la
Australia sha-la-la-la sha-la-la-la
Everyone gets around and nobody can ever get you down
We'll surf like they do in the U.S.A.
We'll fly down to Sydney for our holiday
On sunny Christmas Day
Australia, Australia
@charlienovacastor5652
Opportunities are available in all walks of life in Australia
So if you're young and if you're healthy
Why not get a boat and come to Australia
Australia, the chance of a lifetime
Australia, you get what you work for
Nobody has to be any better than what they want to be
Australia, no class distinction
Australia, no drug addiction
Nobody's got a chip on their shoulder
We'll surf like they do in the U.S.A.
We'll fly down to Sydney for our holiday
On sunny Christmas Day
Australia, Australia
No one hesitates at life or beats around the bush in Australia
So if you're young and if you're healthy
Why not get a boat and come to Australia
Australia sha-la-la-la sha-la-la-la
Australia sha-la-la-la sha-la-la-la
Everyone walks around with a perpetual smile across their face
Australia sha-la-la-la sha-la-la-la
Australia sha-la-la-la sha-la-la-la
Everyone gets around and nobody can ever get you down
We'll surf like they do in the U.S.A.
We'll fly down to Sydney for our holiday
On sunny Christmas Day
Australia, Australia
@MrSirDrew
Lyrics
Opportunities are available in all walks of life in Australia
So if you're young and if you're healthy
Why not get a boat and come to Australia
Australia, the chance of a lifetime
Australia, you get what you work for
Nobody has to be any better than what they want to be
Australia, no class distinction
Australia, no drug addiction
Nobody's got a chip on their shoulder
We'll surf like they do in the U.S.A.
We'll fly down to Sydney for our holiday
On sunny Christmas day
Australia, Australia
No one hesitates at life or beats around the bush in Australia
So if you're young and if you're healthy
Why not get a boat and come to Australia
Australia sha-la-la-la sha-la-la-la
Australia sha-la-la-la sha-la-la-la
Everyone walks around with a perpetual smile across their face
Australia sha-la-la-la sha-la-la-la
Australia sha-la-la-la sha-la-la-la
Everyone gets around and nobody can ever get you down
We'll surf like they do in the U.S.A.
We'll fly down to Sydney for our holiday
On sunny Christmas day
Australia, Australia
@richardsams8281
The Kinks are one of the most uderrated rock group ever!!!
@abigailgodfrey4778
Couldn't agree more.... Some of the riffs dave did went unnoticed
@antennawilde
Every Kinks thread has this comment, but what does it mean? It seems that it means they don't get enough radio air play. Otherwise they're not underrated at all: Hall of Fame, a half dozen songs covered by other major artists, many songs topped the charts over the decades, still have a following after all these years. What makes them underrated in your opinion?
@wolferthehawkeye
If not the most. They have 5 of the best albums of all time yet they don’t get the recognition they deserve.
Wish more people could see how brilliant they were
@owlpercent2045
@Antenna Wilde yeah, I think airplay for the Kinks has been so limited compared to some bands whose catalogs have been worn out extensively on classic rock radio. Seems like the only Kinks songs I ever hear on there are 'Lola' or 'You Really Got Me'. Idk, I guess they ain't "cock rock" enough.
@antennawilde
@Owl Percent I actually heard Sunny Afternoon on the radio a couple weeks ago. They were also on The Darjeeling Limited soundtrack album for the Wes Anderson film. The album features three songs by The Kinks, "Powerman", "Strangers" and "This Time Tomorrow"
@aprilglaspieable
One of the most brilliant guitar performnces ever recorded. Best band that ever lived.
@abigailgodfrey4778
The kinks are up there with the beatles and the stones but never got the recognition they deserved
@bobsmith-ih7ol
I think they're way better than either the Beatles, Stones or the Who but that's jus my opinion.
@baltimoreartparty3593
Any random Kinks you try, they are one gem after another. Not one bad song for real. Each one hard hitting. Subversive. revealing, cultural. This is what a true art is. Behold!