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)
Dedicated Follower Of Fashion
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
His clothes are loud, but never square
It will make or break him so he's got to buy the best
'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion
And when he does his little rounds
'Round the boutiques of London Town
Eagerly pursuing all the latest fads and trends
Oh yes he is (oh yes he is), oh yes he is (oh yes he is)
He thinks he is a flower to be looked at
And when he pulls his frilly nylon panties right up tight
He feels a dedicated follower of fashion
Oh yes he is (oh yes he is), oh yes he is (oh yes he is)
There's one thing that he loves and that is flattery
One week he's in polka-dots, the next week he is in stripes
'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion
They seek him here, they seek him there
In Regent Street and Leicester Square
Everywhere the Carnabetian army marches on
Each one an dedicated follower of fashion
Oh yes he is (oh yes he is), oh yes he is (oh yes he is)
His world is built 'round discotheques and parties
This pleasure-seeking individual always looks his best
'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion
Oh yes he is (oh yes he is), oh yes he is (oh yes he is)
He flits from shop to shop just like a butterfly
In matters of the cloth he is as fickle as can be
'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion
He's a dedicated follower of fashion
He's a dedicated follower of fashion
The lyrics to The Kinks’s song “Dedicated Follower of Fashion” tell the story of a man who is a slave to trends and styles of the current day, always on the hunt for the latest and greatest in fashion. He is constantly shopping and updating his wardrobe to make sure he stays up to date with the latest trends. The lyrics paint a picture of a man who believes that his appearance is everything, and that the way he dresses defines him as a person. The song is full of satire, poking fun at the notion that people can be defined solely on the basis of their appearance.
Ray Davies, the lead singer of The Kinks, wrote the lyrics to “Dedicated Follower of Fashion” in 1965, and the song was released later that year. The song became an instant hit, climbing to number four on the UK charts and number 36 on the US charts. The song’s infectious melody and catchy lyrics made it a popular song for generations of fans.
The song’s success can be attributed in no small part to the sharp social commentary that it makes. The song is a biting critique of the fashion industry, specifically the notion that people can be defined by the clothes that they wear. The lyrics are meant to be humorous, but they also carry a deeper message about the nature of identity and the importance of individuality. In the end, the song is a reminder that fashion trends are fleeting, but true style never goes out of fashion.
Line by Line Meaning
They seek him here, they seek him there
People are constantly searching for this individual
His clothes are loud, but never square
His fashion choices are bold and unique
It will make or break him so he's got to buy the best
He feels that his fashion choices are crucial to his success or failure
'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion
He is obsessed with following the latest fashion trends
And when he does his little rounds
He frequents different stores and boutiques
'Round the boutiques of London Town
He goes shopping in the city of London
Eagerly pursuing all the latest fads and trends
He is constantly searching for the newest and most popular fashion items
Oh yes he is (oh yes he is), oh yes he is (oh yes he is)
He strongly believes that he is a dedicated follower of fashion
He thinks he is a flower to be looked at
He believes that he is an attractive and eye-catching individual
And when he pulls his frilly nylon panties right up tight
He enjoys wearing feminine and unconventional clothing
He feels a dedicated follower of fashion
His fashion choices make him feel like he belongs to the fashion community
There's one thing that he loves and that is flattery
He enjoys receiving compliments on his fashion sense
One week he's in polka-dots, the next week he is in stripes
He constantly changes his fashion style
'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion
He is completely dedicated to keeping up with the latest trends
In Regent Street and Leicester Square
He is often seen shopping in these London locations
Everywhere the Carnabetian army marches on
Other fashion enthusiasts join him in his quest for the latest trends
Each one an dedicated follower of fashion
Everyone in the fashion community shares his obsession with following the latest trends
His world is built 'round discotheques and parties
He enjoys going to social events and clubs
This pleasure-seeking individual always looks his best
He makes sure to dress fashionably to impress others
He flits from shop to shop just like a butterfly
He frequently moves from store to store, always looking for the latest fashion items
In matters of the cloth he is as fickle as can be
He is changeable and unpredictable when it comes to fashion
'Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion
He is completely dedicated to keeping up with the latest fashion trends
He's a dedicated follower of fashion
He is completely dedicated to keeping up with the latest fashion trends and considers himself a member of the fashion community
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RAY DAVIES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Chedgey
on Do It Again
Great song but also a memorable music video. Why is it unavailable?