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)

Mirror Of Love
The Kinks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You're such a cool lover
But you're such a cruel lover
Treat me like I'm a fool
I hate you but you know I would kill for you

You're a mean and obscene lover
But you are my dream lover
'Cause even though you treat me bad

You were the best man I ever had

'cause through the mirror of love, mirror of love
When I see you through the mirror of love
You're alright and I forget that you're bad
'cause when I see you I'm looking through the mirror of love

Why I love you though you treat me bad
'cause when I see you looking through the mirror of love, oh
The mirror of love and you look alright
I see your reflection when I'm looking through the mirror of love

You're a crude and a rude lover
But I would have no other
You slap me down, treat me bad
You're a two timing swine and you drive me mad

You're a mean and obscene lover
But you are my dream lover
'cause even though you treat me bad
You were the best man I ever had

'cause through the mirror of love, mirror of love
When I see you through the mirror of love
You're alright I forget that you're bad
'cause when I see you looking through the mirror of love

Oh, the mirror of love and you look alright
I see your reflection when I'm looking through the mirror of love

Overall Meaning

The Kinks's song "Mirror of Love" is a unique and intriguing love ballad. At first glance, the lyrics seem to describe an abusive relationship, with the singer declaring that their lover is mean, cruel, and even obscene. However, the chorus hints at a greater truth: that the singer's love for their partner is so strong that it transcends their bad behavior. "Through the mirror of love," the singer sees their lover's true self, unclouded by their negative actions. The mirror is a symbol of the singer's ability to look beyond their partner's flaws and see the good person beneath.

The lyrics in "Mirror of Love" also contain contradictions. The singer claims to hate their partner, yet admits they would kill for them. They describe their lover as a two-timing swine, yet proclaim them to be the best man they ever had. These contradictions suggest that the singer's emotions are confused and complex, and that their love for their partner is anything but straightforward.

Line by Line Meaning

You're such a cool lover
I think you're a really great lover

But you're such a cruel lover
But sometimes you can be really mean to me

Treat me like I'm a fool
You often make me feel foolish

I hate you but you know I would kill for you
Although I have negative feelings towards you, I am still deeply devoted and would do anything for you

You're a mean and obscene lover
You can be cruel and vulgar when it comes to love and intimacy

But you are my dream lover
Despite your negative qualities, you are the perfect lover for me

'Cause even though you treat me bad
Although you often mistreat me

You were the best man I ever had
You are still the best partner I've ever had

'Cause through the mirror of love, mirror of love
Because when I look at you through the lens of love

When I see you through the mirror of love
When I view you through my love for you

You're alright and I forget that you're bad
I am able to overlook your negative qualities and only see your positive ones

'Cause when I see you I'm looking through the mirror of love
Because when I see you, I am viewing you through the filter of love

Why I love you though you treat me bad
I often question why I love you despite your mistreatment of me

The mirror of love and you look alright
But when I look at you through the 'mirror of love', everything about you seems okay

I see your reflection when I'm looking through the mirror of love
When I view you through the lens of love, I am really just seeing a reflection of myself and my desires

You're a crude and a rude lover
You can be vulgar and impolite when it comes to love and intimacy

But I would have no other
But I wouldn't want anyone else as my lover

You slap me down, treat me bad
You often put me in my place or treat me poorly

You're a two timing swine and you drive me mad
You're a cheating, dishonest person and it makes me go crazy

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RAY DAVIES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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