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)
Long Tall Shorty
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause I know what love is all about
They call me Long Tall Shorty
'Cause I know what love is all about
Well I can tell you where the lights go
Oh, when they go out
Girls, if you get lonely
Well, girls, if you get lonely
Dial 4-2-4-6-8-9
And your troubles will be over
I'll even give you back you dime
Oh yeah
I like 'em long, I like 'em tall
I like 'em short, and that ain't all
Now when I die, don't bury me deep
Just put some women to my head, to my feet
Tell all the world now, to come and peep
Long Tall Shorty now has gone to sleep
Whoa now
I like 'em long, I like 'em tall
Oh yeah
They call me Long Tall Shorty
'Cause I know what love is all about
They call me Long Tall Shorty
'Cause I know what love is all about
Well I can tell you where the lights go
Oh, when they go out
The Kinks' song Long Tall Shorty is a catchy and upbeat tune that celebrates the singer's ability to attract women of varying heights. The title Long Tall Shorty refers to the singer himself, who claims to know everything about love. He boasts that he can show women where the lights go when they go out and promises to be there for them when they feel lonely. He provides them with a phone number where they can reach him if they're ever in need, and he even assures them he'll return their dime once their troubles are over.
The lyrics of Long Tall Shorty are simple and straightforward, but they carry a sense of cockiness and playfulness. The singer seems to enjoy bragging about his attractiveness to women, and he doesn't seem too concerned about being modest. He even goes as far as to suggest that when he dies, the world should come and see him, dressed up in women's attire, instead of burying him deeply. The song celebrates the singer's confidence in his ability to love and be loved, while also acknowledging his playful side.
Overall, Long Tall Shorty is a fun and catchy song that celebrates confidence and playfulness, as well as the ability to attract love at any height. The song's upbeat and lively rhythm makes it an ideal song for a dance party or a feel-good playlist.
Line by Line Meaning
They call me the Long Tall Shorty
I am called Long Tall Shorty
'Cause I know what love is all about
Because I am skilled in love
Well I can tell you where the lights go
I know where the lights disappear
Oh, when they go out
When they turn off
Girls, if you get lonely
Ladies, if you become lonely
Dial 4-2-4-6-8-9
Call this particular number
Well, girls, if you get lonely
Ladies, if you become lonely
And your troubles will be over
Your problems will be solved
I'll even give you back you dime
I will even return your ten-cent coin
Oh yeah
Absolutely
I like 'em long, I like 'em tall
I like them to be either long or tall
I like 'em short, and that ain't all
I also like them to be short, and that's not the end of it
Now when I die, don't bury me deep
When I pass away, don't bury me too far down
Just put some women to my head, to my feet
Just place some ladies at my head and feet
Tell all the world now, to come and peep
Instruct everyone to come and have a look
Long Tall Shorty now has gone to sleep
Long Tall Shorty is now asleep
Whoa now
Oh, Right now
They call me Long Tall Shorty
I am called Long Tall Shorty
'Cause I know what love is all about
Because I am skilled in love
They call me Long Tall Shorty
I am called Long Tall Shorty
'Cause I know what love is all about
Because I am skilled in love
Well I can tell you where the lights go
I know where the lights disappear
Oh, when they go out
When they turn off
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DON COVAY, HERB ABRAMSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@saintgermain555
i lived 21 years and 11 months, before my ears ever heard 'Long Tall Shorty'
@SarielSnowings
Great voice! Well done, Dave!
@grahamirwin4233
Put on your high heeled sneakers...
@PraiseHolyTrinity
thank for uploading! great rocking band, the Kinks
@extremadrummer
My father bought that second handed single for me... which contained four songs. I was very impressed at that time, 8 years old and started to love drums. Thanks for posting!!! I've been looking for the song without knowing its title for weeks... :)
@ZemeckisTEN
My dad was a fantastic drummer. Sadly he died 6 months ago. He was only 46.
@extremadrummer
I'm so sorry
@b.l.u
The voice is soooo ❤️
@robbiestruys9127
The sound of those drums.....!
@johnnymac1986
love it