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)
Got To Be Free
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Soon the sun is going to shine
We're going to be free like the birds and the bees
Running wild in the big country
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want, talk if I want
Got to be free to say what I want
Make what I want and play what I want
As free as the bugs and the spiders and flies
I don't know how but I'm gonna try
I've just got to be free
And it won't be long 'cause we're right
And they are wrong
We've got to get out of this world somehow
We've got to be free, we've got to be free now
Got to be free to laugh when I want
Think what I want and cry if I like
Got to be free to do what I want
Say what I want and swear if I like
As free as the sun and the moon in the sky
As free as a flea or a proud butterfly
I don't know how but I'm gonna try
I've just got to be free
Yeah, we've got to get out of this world somehow
We've got to be free, we've got to be free now
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want and talk if I want
Got to be free to say what I want
Make what I want and play what I want
I've got to be proud and stand up straight
And let people see I ain't nobody's slave
I've got to be free before it's too late
I've just got to be free
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want, talk if I want
The Kinks's song "Got to Be Free" is a proclamation of individual freedom and autonomy in the face of social conventions and oppression. In the song, the singer addresses a baby, reassuring it that soon they will be free like the birds and the bees, running wild in the big country. The song speaks to the desire for self-expression and the pursuit of one's own desires without restraint.
The verses list various things the singer wants to be free to do, such as walk, talk, say, make, and play what they want. The song paints a picture of the world as a place full of constraints and limitations, but at the same time insists that it's possible to break free from them. The repetition of the chorus, with its insistent call to be free, reinforces the urgency of the message.
The song is notable for its catchy melody and upbeat tempo, which contrasts with the somewhat subversive message of the lyrics. The Kinks were known for their social commentary and their willingness to challenge the status quo, and "Got to Be Free" is a prime example of their artistry in this regard.
Line by Line Meaning
Hush little baby don't you cry
Comfort yourself and believe that everything will be alright
Soon the sun is going to shine
Look forward to a bright future
We're going to be free like the birds and the bees
As liberated and carefree as nature's creatures
Running wild in the big country
Living life with uninhibited freedom
Got to be free to do what I want
The desire to make your own choices without restrictions
Walk if I want, talk if I want
Having complete autonomy over oneself
Got to be free to say what I want
The freedom to express oneself freely
Make what I want and play what I want
The liberty to create and enjoy what one desires
As free as the birds up in the sky
As unrestrained as nature's winged creatures
As free as the bugs and the spiders and flies
As autonomous as every living creature on earth
I don't know how but I'm gonna try
The determination to pursue liberty and independence
And it won't be long 'cause we're right
Being convinced that freedom is the right choice
And they are wrong
Those who oppose freedom are in the wrong
We've got to get out of this world somehow
The yearning to escape a restrictive society
We've got to be free, we've got to be free now
The urgency of achieving freedom
Got to be free to laugh when I want
The right to express joy and happiness
Think what I want and cry if I like
The liberty to feel and express emotions
Say what I want and swear if I like
The ability to express oneself without censorship
As free as the sun and the moon in the sky
The immense liberty of celestial bodies
As free as a flea or a proud butterfly
The diversity of free and independent living beings
I've got to be proud and stand up straight
The need to feel confident and proud of oneself
And let people see I ain't nobody's slave
The defiance against subjugation and oppression
I've got to be free before it's too late
The urgency to achieve freedom sooner rather than later
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLES PENDLETON, NICOLE JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MissDistarr60
Lyrics: Hush little baby don't you cry
Soon the sun is going to shine
We're going to be free like the birds and the bees
Running wild in the big country
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want, talk if I want
Got to be free to say what I want
Make what I want and play what I want
As free as the birds up in the sky
As free as the bugs and the spiders and flies
I don't know how but I'm gonna try
I've just got to be free
And it won't be long 'cos we're right
And they are wrong
We've got to get out of this world somehow
We've got to be free, we've got to be free now
Got to be free to laugh when I want
Think what I want and cry if I like
Got to be free to do what I want
Say what I want and swear if I like
As free as the sun and the moon in the sky
As free as a flea or a proud butterfly
I don't know how but I'm gonna try
I've just got to be free
Yeah, we've got to get out of this world somehow
We've got to be free, we've got to be free now
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want and talk if I want
Got to be free to say what I want
Make what I want and play what I want
I've got to be proud and stand up straight
And let people see I ain't nobody's slave
I've got to be free before it's too late
I've just got to be free
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want, talk if I want
WestHam Canio
Hush little baby don't you cry
Soon the sun is going to shine
We're going to be free like the birds and the bees
Running wild in the big country
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want, talk if I want
Got to be free to say what I want
Make what I want and play what I want
As free as the birds up in the sky
As free as the bugs and the spiders and flies
I don't know how but I'm gonna try
I've just got to be free
And it won't be long 'cause we're right
And they are wrong
We've got to get out of this world somehow
We've got to be free, we've got to be free now
Got to be free to laugh when I want
Think what I want and cry if I like
Got to be free to do what I want
Say what I want and swear if I like
As free as the sun and the moon in the sky
As free as a flea or a proud butterfly
I don't know how but I'm gonna try
I've just got to be free
Yeah, we've got to get out of this world somehow
We've got to be free, we've got to be free now
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want and talk if I want
Got to be free to say what I want
Make what I want and play what I want
I've got to be proud and stand up straight
And let people see I ain't nobody's slave
I've got to be free before it's too late
I've just got to be free
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want, talk if I want
Stephen Coomer
Hush little baby don't you cry
Soon the sun is going to shine
We're going to be free like the birds and the bees
Running wild across the big country
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want, talk if I want
Got to be free to say what I want
Make what I want and play what I want
As free as the birds up in the sky
As free as the bugs and the spiders and flies
I don't know how but I'm gonna try
I've just got to be free
[Verse 2: The Kinks]
And it won't be long 'cos we are right
And they are wrong
We've got to get out of this world somehow
We've got to be free, we've got to be free now
Got to be free to laugh when I want
Think what I want and cry if I like
Got to be free to do what I want
Say what I want and swear if I like
As free as the sun and the moon in the sky
As free as a flea or a proud butterfly
I don't know how but I'm gonna try
I've just got to be free
[Verse 3: The Kinks]
Yeah, we've got to get out of this world somehow
We've got to be free, we've got to be free now
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want and talk if I want
Got to be free to say what I want
Make what I want and play what I want
I've got to be proud and stand up straight
And let people see I ain't nobody's slave
I've got to be free before it's too late
I've just got to be free
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want, talk if I want
johnny zell
Hush little baby don't you cry
Soon the sun is going to shine
We're going to be free like the birds and the bees
Running wild in the big country
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want, talk if I want
Got to be free to say what I want
Make what I want and play what I want
As free as the birds up in the sky
As free as the bugs and the spiders and flies
I don't know how but I'm gonna try
I've just got to be free
And it won't be long 'cause we're right
And they are wrong
We've got to get out of this world somehow
We've got to be free, we've got to be free now
Got to be free to laugh when I want
Think what I want and cry if I like
Got to be free to do what I want
Say what I want and swear if I like
As free as the sun and the moon in the sky
As free as a flea or a proud butterfly
I don't know how but I'm gonna try
I've just got to be free
Yeah, we've got to get out of this world somehow
We've got to be free, we've got to be free now
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want and talk if I want
Got to be free to say what I want
Make what I want and play what I want
I've got to be proud and stand up straight
And let people see I ain't nobody's slave
I've got to be free before it's too late
I've just got to be free
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want, talk if I want
비정한세상
Lyrics: Hush little baby don't you cry
Soon the sun is going to shine
We're going to be free like the birds and the bees
Running wild in the big country
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want, talk if I want
Got to be free to say what I want
Make what I want and play what I want
As free as the birds up in the sky
As free as the bugs and the spiders and flies
I don't know how but I'm gonna try
I've just got to be free
And it won't be long 'cos we're right
And they are wrong
We've got to get out of this world somehow
We've got to be free, we've got to be free now
Got to be free to laugh when I want
Think what I want and cry if I like
Got to be free to do what I want
Say what I want and swear if I like
As free as the sun and the moon in the sky
As free as a flea or a proud butterfly
I don't know how but I'm gonna try
I've just got to be free
Yeah, we've got to get out of this world somehow
We've got to be free, we've got to be free now
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want and talk if I want
Got to be free to say what I want
Make what I want and play what I want
I've got to be proud and stand up straight
And let people see I ain't nobody's slave
I've got to be free before it's too late
I've just got to be free
Got to be free to do what I want
Walk if I want, talk if I want
Wrap Call
Ukraine 07/04/2022
I need someone,
It's dark and I could get lonely,
I am free.
Dave Davies 18yrs old
26 November, 1965
Kink kontroversy
#42. Giving - Dave Davies
#43. Got to be Free
#44. Broken - Ray Davies
James R. Burchett Sr.
One of the best songs ever written. The Kinks, the most under rated band ever. Creative, innovative and way ahead of their time. Recorded and released 45 years ago. Simply amazing indeed...
Chris Gerrard
always
Eric Trani
@Jerry Smith This is true. I’m 34 and nobody my age knows anything about this album. The Kinks get no exposure on classic rock stations other than Lola. This album deserves to be constantly played like the Stones, Beatles etc on the radio.
FenceThis
They were never underrated. In fact they were always TOP rated ! ! !
Jerry Smith
Look at what you said. "In the 60's". You dont hear about them anymore. The only british invasion bands people talk about are The Beatles, Stones, and The Who, alonside SINGLES by the animals and kinks. People only know the Animals "House of the Rising Sun" and the Kinks "You really Got Me" and maybe "Lola" and "Sunny Afternoon".
Mary P
I don't get all the underrated comments on their songs. They were big and really influential in the 60s. Ray and Dave each still tour. Underrated by whom?
Matthew Wright
Damn shame The Kinks never got full recognition, they are one of the bests.
Tarjeimonster
@Hugh Jasole good point
Hugh Jasole
@Tarjeimonster Technically you're right but to be fair if you meet someone out in the real world who really knows the Kinks well and goes deep into their discography that's pretty rare. Usually only people who are hardcore music lovers know a lot about The Kinks past All Day and All Night or You Really Got Me. That's just the facts.
Tarjeimonster
Bruh why are everyone acting like they are like a hidden underground band, they are simply not