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)

I'm A Lover Not A Fighter
The Kinks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well I met a pretty girl, as pretty as can be
I thought she was my baby till she introduced to me
A great big tall fella, about six foot tall
I shivered and I shook, couldn't do any more

Cause I'm a lover not a fighter
Yes, I'm a lover not a fighter
Yes, I'm a lover not a fighter

And I'm really built for speed
Built for speed

Well, some people think I'm lazy but there's one thing they don't know
Cause when I'm in the mood I can go caddy[?] go

Cause I'm a lover not a fighter
Yes, I'm a lover not a fighter
Yes, I'm a lover not a fighter
And I'm really built for speed
Built for speed
Built for speed
Whoa yeah

Well I can roar like a lion, I can sting like a bee
But some times I think, baby, I've got rabbit blood in me

Cause I'm a lover not a fighter
Yes, I'm a lover not a fighter
Yes, I'm a lover not a fighter
And I'm really built for speed
Built for speed

Built for speed
Whoa yeah

Overall Meaning

The Kinks’ song “I’m a Lover Not a Fighter” is about a man who finds out that the pretty girl he thought was his girlfriend just introduced him to her tall and strong boyfriend. The man is immediately intimidated and afraid, but he assures himself that he is not a fighter, he is a lover. He declares this statement three times, indicating that it is an essential part of his identity. He repeats that he is built for speed, suggesting that he is quick-witted rather than physically strong. While some people may think of him as lazy, but he can be just as quick and efficient as a caddy when he is in the mood.

The singer in this song is an archetype of a non-violent, peace-loving person who prefers to rely on his wit and charm to solve problems rather than physical strength or aggression. The line, “sometimes I think baby I’ve got rabbit blood in me” implies that the singer is skittish and prone to flight, rather than fighting in the face of danger. The song speaks to the idea that there are different ways to be strong and defend oneself, and not all of them involve force.

Line by Line Meaning

Well I met a pretty girl, as pretty as can be
The singer meets an attractive girl.

I thought she was my baby till she introduced to me
The singer thought the girl was interested in him, but she introduces him to someone else.

A great big tall fella, about six foot tall
The girl introduces the singer to a large man who is taller than he is.

I shivered and I shook, couldn't do any more
The singer is intimidated by the large man and unable to take any action.

Cause I'm a lover not a fighter
The singer is a pacifist and prefers to handle situations peacefully.

Yes, I'm a lover not a fighter
Reiteration that the singer is more comfortable with love than fighting.

And I'm really built for speed
The singer is athletic and has good reflexes but not violent tendencies.

Well, some people think I'm lazy but there's one thing they don't know
The singer may seem unenergetic or uninterested, but he has hidden qualities.

Cause when I'm in the mood I can go caddy[?] go
When the singer is passionate, he can move quickly and efficiently.

Well I can roar like a lion, I can sting like a bee
The singer can be fierce or aggressive if necessary.

But some times I think, baby, I've got rabbit blood in me
Despite his potential for aggression, the singer identifies with being timid like a rabbit.

Built for speed
The singer reiterates his physical prowess and speed.

Whoa yeah
An exclamation of enthusiasm or agreement.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JAY MILLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

John Adams

4y↑10

LYRICS
Well I met a pretty girl, as pretty as can be
I thought she was my baby till she introduced to me
A great big tall fella, about six foot tall
I shivered and I shook, couldn't do any more
Cause I'm a lover not a fighter
Yes, I'm a lover not a fighter
Yes, I'm a lover not a fighter
And I'm really built for speed
Built for speed
Well, some people think I'm lazy but there's one thing they don't know
Cause when I'm in the mood I can go caddy[?] go
Cause I'm a lover not a fighter
Yes, I'm a lover not a fighter
Yes, I'm a lover not a fighter
And I'm really built for speed
Built for speed
Built for speed
Whoa yeah
Well I can roar like a lion, I can sting like a bee
But some times I think, baby, I've got rabbit blood in me
Cause I'm a lover not a fighter
Yes, I'm a lover not a fighter
Yes, I'm a lover not a fighter
And I'm really built for speed
Built for speed
Built for speed
Whoa yeah

All comments from YouTube:

John Adams

4y↑10

Antonio Stefanini

6y↑21

Kinks were great fighters in music.

ERIK STANFORD

5y↑12

My dad would always say, "I'm a lover, not a fighter." Wisdom for LIVING.

スァ

2y↑1

I love the songs musicians in 60s sung like musicians in 50s.

Bob Gould

4y↑8

Not written by Ray Davies. Lazy Lester recorded this 1958. I think it was written by Lester & Jay Miller who produced Lester's recording. The kinks also recorded some other songs that Lazy Lester had recorded.

Alice Soares

Thanks Bob ! By the way ... Can you tell us if this is the version with Jimmy Page at the 12 string guitar 🎸 ?

Bob Gould

@Alice Soares No I don't know.

Townshend909

1y↑1

This is the 6th song of 14 off the debut album. Here are my thoughts, it’s a decent song one of my least favorites off the album but good nonetheless. 7/10