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)

Ev'rybody's Gonna Be Happy
The Kinks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

And I know, and I know
And I know that ev'rybody
And I know that ev'rybody be happy
As happy as you and me
'Cause I know, I know

Come on baby, let me tell you
All the things I wanna say

Come on baby, let me tell you
All the things I wanna say, and

Ev'rybody's gonna be happy
Which means you and me, my love
Ev'rybody's gonna be happy
Which means you and me, my love

And I know and I know
And when I see ya walking down the street
Well, it makes me happy to see you walkin'
It makes my life complete
'Cause I know, I know

Come on baby, let me tell you
All the things I wanna say
Come on baby, let me tell you
All the things I wanna say, and

Ev'rybody's gonna be happy
Which means you and me, my love
Ev'rybody's gonna be happy
Which means you and me, my love

And I know and I know
And I know that you and me
And I know that you and me be happy
As happy as we can be
'Cause I know, I know

Come on baby, let me tell you
All the things I wanna say
Come on baby, let me tell you
All the things I wanna say, and

Ev'rybody's gonna be happy
Which means you and me, my love
Ev'rybody's gonna be happy
Which means you and me, my love

Ev'rybody's gonna be happy
Which means you and me, my love
Ev'rybody's gonna be happy
Which means you and me, my love

And I know and I know
And I know and I know...

Overall Meaning

The Kinks' "Ev'rybody's Gonna Be Happy" is a pop-rock love song that exudes optimism and positivity. The song's main message is that everyone can be happy, including the two lovers in the song. The lyrics repeatedly emphasize that the singer knows, without a doubt, that everyone will be happy, making the song's message more emphatic.

The song opens with the singer stating that they know "ev'rybody" will be happy, including himself and the person they are singing to. The singer is confident in their belief, and they seem to derive happiness from seeing the person they are singing to. In the chorus, the singer repeats that everyone will be happy, including him and his love, reiterating the song's central message.

The second verse echoes the same sentiment, with the singer saying that they know they themselves will be happy and that they are sure their love will be happy as well. The final chorus reiterates the song's main message, that happiness is possible for everyone and that the singer and their love will be happy, too.

Overall, The Kinks' "Ev'rybody's Gonna Be Happy" is a straightforward love song that emphasizes the idea that happiness is achievable for everyone. The song's happiness message is boosted by its upbeat instrumentation and catchy melody.

Line by Line Meaning

And I know, and I know
I am aware and I am aware.

And I know that ev'rybody
I am aware that every person.

And I know that ev'rybody be happy
I am aware that every person can be happy.

As happy as you and me
Just as happy as we are.

'Cause I know, I know
Because I am aware, I am aware.

Come on baby, let me tell you
Please listen to what I have to say.

All the things I wanna say
Everything I wish to express.

Ev'rybody's gonna be happy
Everyone will experience happiness.

Which means you and me, my love
That includes us, my dear.

And when I see ya walking down the street
When I see you strolling along the road.

Well, it makes me happy to see you walkin'
It brings me joy to see you moving.

It makes my life complete
It fulfills my existence.

And I know that you and me
I am aware that you and I.

And I know that you and me be happy
I am aware that we can be happy together.

As happy as we can be
As happy as humanly possible.

And I know and I know
I am aware and I am aware.

Ev'rybody's gonna be happy
Everyone will experience happiness.

Which means you and me, my love
That includes us, my dear.

Ev'rybody's gonna be happy
Everyone will experience happiness.

Which means you and me, my love
That includes us, my dear.

Ev'rybody's gonna be happy
Everyone will experience happiness.

Which means you and me, my love
That includes us, my dear.

And I know and I know
I am aware and I am aware.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, BROADWAY MUSIC CORPORATION, Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd
Written by: RAY DAVIES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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