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)
I'll Remember
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll remember everything we did.
I'll remember best of all,
The love we shared, the tears that fell now.
I'll remember everything you said to me.
I'll remember every word you said to me.
I'll remember every laugh you made.
I'll remember best of all,
I'll remember everything you said to me.
Thinking 'bout it now, just what might have been.
Thinking 'bout it now, things will never be the same,
But I'll remember everything you said to me.
I'll remember best of all,
The love we shared, the tears that fell now.
I'll remember everything you said to me.
I'll remember everything you said to me.
The Kinks's song I'll Remember is a poignant reflection on lost love and nostalgia for what once was. The repetition of the main chorus, "I'll remember everything you said to me," emphasizes the singer's determination to hold onto the memories of their relationship.
The verses are reminiscent of a conversation between the two parties, with the singer promising to keep all that was said and done close to their heart. They vow to remember every word and laugh, but it's the love they shared and the tears they shed that they hold most dear. The line "Thinking 'bout it now, just what might have been" suggests that perhaps the relationship ended prematurely or didn't live up to its full potential. The second part of the line, "Things will never be the same," introduces the idea that time and distance have separated the two parties, and the relationship can never be rekindled.
Overall, I'll Remember captures the bittersweet feeling of remembering a love that has been lost. It's a universal sentiment that many people can relate to, making it one of The Kinks's more popular songs.
Interestingly, the song was intended to be part of a musical project that never came to fruition. Ray Davies, the lead singer and songwriter for The Kinks, had written a concept album called Preservation that was going to feature I'll Remember. However, the album turned out to be too ambitious for its time, and the song was eventually released as a standalone track.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll remember everything you said to me.
I will not forget any of the words you spoke to me, and will cherish them for eternity.
I'll remember everything we did.
I have etched every moment we shared in my memory, and will always treasure them.
I'll remember best of all, The love we shared, the tears that fell now.
Above all, our love and the times we cried together will stay with me, forever fueling my emotions.
Thinking 'bout it now, just what might have been.
As I reminisce about us, I imagine what could have been, what opportunities might have come our way.
Thinking 'bout it now, things will never be the same,
As I dwell on our past, I realize that life has moved on, and things can never be as they once were.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RAYMOND DOUGLAS DAVIES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hallofshame6112
I’ll Remember
Song by The Kinks
Overview
Videos
Listen
Artists
Lyrics
Main results
I'll remember everything you said to me.
I'll remember everything we did.
I'll remember best of all,
The love we shared, the tears that fell now.
I'll remember everything you said to me.
I'll remember every word you said to me.
I'll remember every laugh you made.
I'll remember best of all,
The love we shared, the tears that fell now.
I'll remember everything you said to me.
Thinking 'bout it now, just what might have been.
Thinking 'bout it now, things will never be the same,
But I'll remember everything you said to me.
I'll remember best of all,
The love we shared, the tears that fell now.
I'll remember everything you said to me.
I'll remember everything you said to me.
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Raymond Douglas Davies
I’ll Remember lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc
@williamcurtin5692
Great way to end a great album. That last little guitar thing is a perfect closer.
@ELWaller0388
"Thinkin' about it now, just what might have been..." Ray Davies could write killer middle 8s that lift the song up just like in Big Sky and Nothing to Say. For me this song is up there with The World Keeps Going Round and Do You Remember Walter? as the best songs he wrote.
@JJstorm77
Absolutely
@simonmccreath3425
I loop the Bass and Drums intro and keep it playing round and round for ages.
Just can't help myself!
@JJstorm77
What a lost classic
@CarmieSchulz
Critics don't seem to like this song but it stood out to me on the album. I can't see anything wrong with it.
@rumpraisin
Who cares about the critics. All they do is write critical words that make you feel bad, not songs that make you feel good.
@powerpopaholic876
Proto-type Power Pop song. A great start, imo.
@CarmieSchulz
@Powerpopaholic It reminds of the Searchers song "when you walk in the room." The man is singing and the woman is the guitar replying back. I really like that effect in music. I read a basically good book by John Medelsohhn called the Kink Kronikles and he didn't care for the song. I was like, "well I don;'t agee."
@LSBBD
That's why they are called critics and not praisers.