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)
Black Messiah
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So don't shoot me for saying mine
Everybody talking about racial equality
Cause everybody's equal in the good Lord's eyes
But if I told you that God was black
What would you think of that
I bet you wouldn't believe it
He said the Black Messiah's gonna come and set the whole world free
He looked at me with his evil eye and prophesied
And he really believed it
He said a Black Messiah is gonna set the world on fire
And he's no liar, 'cause he has truly heard the word
Everybody talking about racial equality
But I'm the only honky living on an all black street
They knock me down 'cause they brown and I white
Everybody got the right to speak their mind
So don't shoot me for saying mine
Everybody talking about racial equality
You hear everybody talking about equal rights
But white's white, black's black and that's that
And that's the way you should leave it
Don't want no Black Messiah to come and set the world on fire
A Black Messiah is gonna come and rule the world
Everybody got to show a little give and take
Everybody got to live with a little less hate
Everybody gotta work it out, we gotta sort it out
Everybody got the right to speak their mind
So don't shoot me for saying mine
The Kinks’ 1970 song “Black Messiah” is a powerful lament against racism and injustice. In the song, lead singer Ray Davies acknowledges that everyone has the right to speak their mind and express their thoughts, but also recognizes the reality of racial inequality and the prejudices that exist. He highlights the hypocrisy of those who claim to support racial equality in theory, but in practice, maintain their own prejudices and biases.
Davies challenges the listener’s assumptions and beliefs by asking what they would think if he told them that God was black. This provocative statement challenges the notion that whiteness is inherently superior, and suggests that people’s beliefs are not necessarily based in fact or reality. Davies also describes a self-proclaimed prophet who believes that a Black Messiah will come and set the world free. While Davies is skeptical of this claim, he also acknowledges the power of belief and the importance of hope for marginalized communities.
Despite the challenges of racism and prejudice, the song offers a message of hope and reconciliation. Davies implores us to work towards greater understanding and to seek out common ground. He calls on everyone to work together, to show “a little give and take” and to live with “a little less hate.” He reminds us that everyone has the right to express their opinion and that we should listen to each other, rather than resorting to violence or intimidation.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody got the right to speak their mind
Everyone has the right to express their opinions.
So don't shoot me for saying mine
Please don't criticize me for speaking my mind.
Everybody talking about racial equality
There's a lot of discussion about treating everyone fairly.
Cause everybody's equal in the good Lord's eyes
The artist believes that God sees everyone as equally valuable.
But if I told you that God was black
What would you think if I claimed God was African American?
What would you think of that
How would you react to that idea?
I bet you wouldn't believe it
The singer thinks that most people would not accept this idea.
There's a self made prophet living right next to me
Someone who claims to have divine knowledge lives near me.
He said the Black Messiah's gonna come and set the whole world free
The prophet predicts that a leader will emerge to bring worldwide freedom.
He looked at me with his evil eye and prophesied
The prophet made his prediction with an intense stare.
And he really believed it
The prophet had faith in his own prophecy.
He said a Black Messiah is gonna set the world on fire
The prophet believes that the coming leader will revolutionize the world.
And he's no liar, 'cause he has truly heard the word
The prophet is convinced that his prediction is true because it comes from a divine source.
But I'm the only honky living on an all black street
The singer is the only white person in a neighborhood predominantly inhabited by African Americans.
They knock me down 'cause they brown and I white
The singer is bullied because of their skin color.
You hear everybody talking about equal rights
Many people are advocating for treating everyone fairly.
But white's white, black's black and that's that
People's racial identities cannot be overlooked.
And that's the way you should leave it
The singer thinks that differences in race should just be accepted.
Don't want no Black Messiah to come and set the world on fire
The singer is afraid of the chaos that the predicted leader might bring.
A Black Messiah is gonna come and rule the world
The prophet claims that the leader will hold significant power.
Everybody got to show a little give and take
Everyone must be willing to cooperate and compromise.
Everybody got to live with a little less hate
Everyone should try to reduce their negative emotions towards others.
Everybody gotta work it out, we gotta sort it out
Everyone must work together to resolve conflicts and problems.
So don't shoot me for saying mine
The artist is repeating their plea for tolerance of their opinions.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Chedgey
on Do It Again
Great song but also a memorable music video. Why is it unavailable?