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)
Days
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the moment I rise
Feel good from morning
Till the end of the day
Till the end of the day
Yeah, you and me
We live this life
Till we go sleep at night
You and me we're free
We do as we please, yeah
From morning, till the end of the day
Till the end of the day
Yeah, I get up
And I see the sun up
And I feel good, yeah
'Cause my life has begun
You and me we're free
We do as we please, yeah
From morning, till the end of the day
Till the end of the day
Till the end of the day
Till the end of the day
You and me we're free
We do as we please, yeah
From morning, till the end of the day
Till the end of the day
Till the end of the day
Till the end of the day
Till the end of the day
Till the end of the day
The Kinks' song "Days" is a joyful celebration of life and freedom. The lyrics focus on the simple pleasures of everyday life and the happiness that comes from being able to live one's life freely. The opening lines, "Baby, I feel good / From the moment I rise / Feel good from morning / Till the end of the day," set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer expresses his happiness and contentment with his life, which he shares with his partner.
The chorus, "You and me we're free / We do as we please, yeah / From morning, till the end of the day / Till the end of the day," emphasizes the theme of freedom and the idea that the couple can live their lives on their own terms. They do not have to answer to anyone, and they can make their own decisions about how to spend their time. The repetition of the phrase "till the end of the day" reinforces the idea that this happiness is not fleeting but enduring.
The verses continue to explore the theme of freedom and the joy of living, with lines like "Yeah, I get up / And I see the sun up / And I feel good, yeah / 'Cause my life has begun" and "We do as we please, yeah." The song's simple and upbeat melody contributes to its overall sense of happiness and optimism.
Overall, "Days" is a song that celebrates the simple joys of life and the happiness that comes from being free to live on one's own terms. Its message is universal and timeless, which is why it continues to resonate with audiences today.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, I feel good
I am happy and content with my life.
From the moment I rise
This feeling starts early in the morning.
Feel good from morning
I continue to feel happy throughout the day.
Till the end of the day
This feeling lasts all day long.
Till the end of the day
This feeling lasts all day long.
Yeah, you and me
Talking to a loved one, we share this feeling.
We live this life
We embrace this happy feeling together.
From when we get up
This happiness starts early in the morning.
Till we go sleep at night
It lasts until we go to bed at night.
You and me we're free
We are not held back by any constraints.
We do as we please, yeah
We are able to do whatever makes us happy.
From morning, till the end of the day
This freedom to do whatever we want lasts all day long.
Till the end of the day
This freedom lasts until we go to bed at night.
Yeah, I get up
Speaking for oneself, this feeling starts early in the morning.
And I see the sun up
Seeing the sunrise contributes to this feeling of contentment.
And I feel good, yeah
This feeling of happiness is strong.
'Cause my life has begun
This feeling is tied to a sense of purpose in life.
You and me we're free
Together, we are not held back by any constraints.
We do as we please, yeah
We are able to do whatever makes us happy.
From morning, till the end of the day
This freedom to do whatever we want lasts all day long.
Till the end of the day
This freedom lasts until we go to bed at night.
Till the end of the day
This freedom lasts until we go to bed at night.
Till the end of the day
This freedom lasts until we go to bed at night.
You and me we're free
Together, we are not held back by any constraints.
We do as we please, yeah
We are able to do whatever makes us happy.
From morning, till the end of the day
This freedom to do whatever we want lasts all day long.
Till the end of the day
This freedom lasts until we go to bed at night.
Till the end of the day
This freedom lasts until we go to bed at night.
Till the end of the day
This freedom lasts until we go to bed at night.
Till the end of the day
This freedom lasts until we go to bed at night.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ray Davies
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patriciapalmer3899
We lost the most beautiful nine-year-old girl in our family. She was truly an extraordinary human being...the light of the lives of everyone fortunate enough to have known her. The holes in our hearts are immense and everlasting. But this song, which I've known since I was a teenager but somehow hadn't listened to for at least twenty years, is the single most perfect anthem Mackenzie's beautiful mother could sing to her every day and night. Tears rolling as I think of it. The immense joy and beauty, along with the deep, deep pain of life, are both inevitable. Like so many, Kenzie brought us both -- joy and laughter in life, and unspeakable pain upon her leaving. Any heart or valentine symbol we see is Mackenzie reminding us that she will never leave us. To all who listen to this gorgeous song, blessings and joy to you and all those you love. Don't forget to thank them today. Tomorrow may be too late. Peace.
@sarahbutler3722
Patricia PALMER 😢
@tubergetrude333
I just read your post after listening to this song, a beautiful song I've loved for many years. (I lived in the same NYC neighborhood as Ray Davies for a number of years and he was quite kind to me. ) We who have lost those who didn't have a chance to grow old and live their lives carry a pain, and that pain also brings certain joys in memory. I know it hasn't been that long for you. I want to bring words of comfort, but I am at a loss for words. But I by the grace of God got to think of your Kenzie. Speaking of love and loss, I saw a beautiful film (a documentary) on Netflix yesterday. It is called 'My Octopus Teacher.' Once you see it, I think you will know why I mentioned it.Peace. Stay safe. All of you.
@bobtaylor170
❤
@tieukhavu8832
Patty, what was happening? Feel free to answer.
@randallhub7293
You too! Don't be sad..it's not worth it.
@ReneDelPrado
Hands down this is the greatest song by the Kinks. The melody tears into your heart and the lyrics brings me to tears as I remember all of the people I've loved and lost.
@poet2681
couldn't agree more! ☺
@alishanty
Listening to this on my Dad’s birthday. He loved the Kinks and this song, he would’ve been 63 today. This ones for you Dad x
@alexlawler9515
My Dad's funeral was on July 1st this year and his coffin left the church to this song.