The Kinks (1963–1996; 2018-present) is an English pop-rock group that came … Read Full Bio ↴The Kinks (1963–1996; 2018-present) is an English pop-rock group that came out of the British R&B scene of the early 1960s. Formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray Davies and Dave Davies in 1964 and categorised in the United States as a "British Invasion" band, the Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock groups of the era. In 1990, their first year of eligibility, the original four members were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Later, in November 2005, they were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame. Among numerous other honours, they received the Ivor Novello Award for "Outstanding Service to British Music" in 2006. The Kinks reunited in June 2018, with the Davies brothers and drummer Mick Avory.

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)

Don't
The Kinks Lyrics

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Don't ever let me go, don't ever let me go
Don't ever let me go, don't ever let me go

You've been runnin' round with other guys
(Other guys)
I keep hearing these stories, I wish they were lies
(Wish they were lies)

Yeah, but don't ever let me go, because I want you to know
Don't want a new love, just want a true love
Don't ever let me go, don't ever let me go
I want all the world to know, I still love you so
Don't ever let me go, don't ever let me go

You say to me I'm the only one
(Only one)
But all of the time, you're having your fun
(Having your fun)

Yeah, but don't ever let me go, because I want you to know
Don't want a new love, just want a true love
Don't ever let me go, don't ever let me go
I want all the world to know, I still love you so
Don't ever let me go, don't ever let me go

Yeah, but don't ever let me go, because I want you to know
Don't want a new love, just want a true love
Don't ever let me go, don't ever let me go
I want all the world to know, I still want you so
Don't ever let me go, don't ever let me go

Don't you know that I want you, to make you my own
(Make you my own)
I promise you, honey, you won't be alone
(Won't be alone)

Yeah, but don't ever let me go, because I want you to know
Don't want a new love, just want a true love
Don't ever let me go, don't ever let me go

I want all the world to know, I still love you so
Don't ever let me go, don't ever let me go

Overall Meaning

The Kinks' song, "Don't Ever Let Me Go" is a plea for love and fidelity from a man to his partner. The song's lyrics begin with the man expressing his fears that his partner might be running around with other men. He admits that he has heard stories about her being with other men, and though he wishes those stories were lies, he needs his partner to assure him of faithfulness by not letting him go. Thus, the man pledges his love and emotions towards his partner, claiming that he does not want a new love, just a true love. He wants his partner to remain with him forever and to let the world know that he loves her.

The song can be interpreted as a representation of the jealousy and insecurity often experienced in relationships. The man's feelings of possessiveness and insecurity are common emotions that many individuals experience when they feel their partners may be involved with other people. The song's structure consists of a repeating chorus with a catchy tune, highlighting the urgency of the man's plea for his partner not to ever let him go.

Overall, "Don't Ever Let Me Go" conveys the message that love and devotion should never be taken for granted. The man's desire to hold on to his partner speaks to the commitment and effort it takes to make a relationship work, especially in the face of infidelity or temptation.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't ever let me go, don't ever let me go
The singer pleads with their lover to never leave them.

You've been runnin' round with other guys
The singer is aware that their lover has been spending time with other men.

I keep hearing these stories, I wish they were lies
Despite the rumors, the singer hopes that their lover has not been unfaithful.

You say to me I'm the only one
The singer's lover tells them that they are the only person they are interested in romantically.

But all the time, you're having your fun
Despite their reassurances, the singer suspects that their lover is still being unfaithful.

Don't you know that I want you, to make you my own
The singer expresses their desire to have a committed relationship with their lover.

I promise you, honey, you won't be alone
The singer assures their lover that they will always be there for them.

I want all the world to know, I still love you so
The singer wants everyone to know that their love for their lover is strong and unwavering.

Don't want a new love, just want a true love
The singer is not interested in finding a new love, they just want a committed and faithful relationship with their current lover.

Lyrics © Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd
Written by: Ray Davies

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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