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)
GOD
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And man made the motorcar and learned how to drive
But he didn't make the flowers and he didn't make the trees
And he didn't make you and he didn't make me
And he's got no right to turn us into machines
No, he's got no right at all
'Cause we are all God's children
Oh, we gotta go back the way the good Lord made us all
Don't want this world to change me
I want to go back the way the good Lord made me
Same lungs that he gave me to breathe with
Same eyes he gave me to see with
Oh, the rich man, poor man, the saint and the sinner
The wise man, the simpleton, the loser and the winner
We are all the same to Him
Stripped of our clothes and all the things we own
Oh, the day that we are born
We are all God's children
And they got no right to change us
Oh, we gotta go back the way the good Lord made
Oh, the good Lord made us all
And we are all His children
And they got no right to change us
Oh, we gotta go back the way the good Lord made us all
Yeah, we gotta go back the way the good Lord made us all
The Kinks’ “God’s Children” is a song that comments on the nature of humankind while challenging the societal norms that threaten to make people lose their individuality. Ray Davies, the songwriter, critiques the human inclination to change, manipulate, and control their environment, to the point where it becomes a tool of dehumanization. The lyrics highlight how man has created technology and built skyscrapers, but in the process, he has neglected and disregarded the miraculous creations of nature such as flowers, trees, and even the unique qualities that make each human being an individual.
The lyrics paint a picture of a world that is moving towards conformity, a world that wants to manipulate and control people’s minds, making them all the same. The song stresses that people have the right to be unique, and that people should embrace their individuality, rejecting the idea of becoming mere machines. In the song, Davies exhorts people to remain true to themselves, their God-given traits, and abilities, and not to allow society to turn them into mere units of production. The song has a strong protest message urging people to resist conformity and hold onto their unique traits and individuality.
Overall, “God’s Children” is a call to arms for people to reclaim their humanity and to resist the pressures of modern life to conform to societal norms that strip them of their individuality. It is a song that asks people to embrace their uniqueness and not to allow themselves to be swallowed up by a system that treats them simply as means of production. Ultimately, “God’s Children” is a masterpiece that raises some pertinent questions about what it means to be human, and the importance of maintaining a deep respect for the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Man made the buildings that reach for the sky
Humans have built towering buildings, pushing the limits of the sky.
And man made the motorcar and learned how to drive
Humans have created the automobile and taught themselves how to operate it.
But he didn't make the flowers and he didn't make the trees
Humans did not create the natural beauty that surrounds us in the world, the flowers and the trees are gifts from nature.
And he didn't make you and he didn't make me
Humans did not create the uniqueness of individuals, as our distinctive traits and personalities are innate within us.
And he's got no right to turn us into machines
Humans should not be reduced to mere automatons, as we have inherent worth and value beyond our productive capacity.
No, he's got no right at all
It is unjust and unfair for anyone to attempt to strip individuals of their humanity and inherent rights.
'Cause we are all God's children
Each and every person is connected through their divine origin and being created by a higher power.
And they got no right to change us
Others have no authority to dictate how individuals live their lives or should conform to certain societal norms or expectations.
Oh, we gotta go back the way the good Lord made us all
We should cherish our unique individualities and embody the qualities and values that align with our personal beliefs and principles.
Don't want this world to change me
The artist wants to stay true to their authentic self despite pressure from external forces to conform or change.
I want to go back the way the good Lord made me
The singer desires to return to their natural state, free from outside influences that may alter their identity or perception of self.
Same lungs that he gave me to breathe with
Our physical bodies are gifts from a higher power, complete with organs and other systems to sustain life.
Same eyes he gave me to see with
Our senses are part of our innate design and offer unique perspectives and ways of experiencing the world around us.
Oh, the rich man, poor man, the saint and the sinner
Regardless of socio-economic status or moral standing, everyone is equal before a higher power and should be treated with respect and dignity.
The wise man, the simpleton, the loser and the winner
Individuals have a variety of different experiences and ways of navigating the world, and each perspective is valuable and worthy of consideration.
We are all the same to Him
From a spiritual perspective, every individual is equally valued and deserving of love and compassion.
Stripped of our clothes and all the things we own
Despite societal markers of status or wealth, ultimately, we are all human and unable to take our material possessions with us beyond this life.
Oh, the day that we are born
From the moment of our birth, we are inherently valuable and deserving of love and respect.
And we are all His children
Each and every person is deeply connected to a higher power as part of their spiritual origin.
Oh, the good Lord made us all
Humans are inherently good and worthy of love and compassion as created by a benevolent divine force.
Yeah, we gotta go back the way the good Lord made us all
By returning to our natural state and fostering our unique individualities, we can create a happier and more harmonious world.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Raymond Douglas Davies
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Chedgey
on Do It Again
Great song but also a memorable music video. Why is it unavailable?