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)
Misfits
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You set out to outrage but you can't get arrested
You say your image is new, but it looks well tested
You're lost without a crowd yet you go your own way
You say your summer has gone
Now the Winter is crawlin' in
They say that even in your day
Though it's cold outside
I know the Summer's gonna come again
Because you know what they say
Every dog has his day
You're a misfit, afraid of yourself, so you run away and hide
You've been a misfit all your life
Why don't you join the crowd
And come inside
You wander round this town like you've lost your way
You had your chance in your day
Yet you threw it all away
But you know what they say
Every dog has his day
Look at all the losers and the mad eyed gazers
Look at all the looneys and the sad eyed failures
They're giving up living 'cause they just don't care
So take a good look around
The misfits are everywhere
La la la la la la
You're a misfit
Afraid of yourself so you run away and hide
You've been a misfit all your life
But why don't you join the crowd and come inside
You wander round this town
Like you've lost your way
You had your chance in your day
Yet you threw it all away
Now you're lost in the crowd
Yet, still go your own way
This is your chance, this is your time
So don't throw it away
You can have your day
Yes it's true what they say
Every dog has his day
The Kinks’ song, “Misfits,” delves into the idea of individuals who feel out of place in society. The very first line, “You’ve been sleeping in a field but you look real rested,” describes someone who appears to be a misfit but is comfortable being alone. The person is trying hard to stand out from the crowd, but despite their attempts, they cannot get arrested or be noticed. The line “You say your image is new, but it looks well tested” highlights the fact that they are trying to be different, but their efforts are not paying off.
The chorus mentions how the person was a misfit all their life, afraid of themselves, so they run away and hide. Despite finding solace in being alone, they still crave to belong somewhere. The last verse talks about how there are other misfits all around, and they've given up on the society they don't fit into. The song ends with the line, “Yes, it's true what they say, every dog has his day,” which means everyone will get a chance to belong and succeed someday.
Line by Line Meaning
You've been sleeping in a field but you look real rested
Though you live an unconventional life, you seem content and at peace with it.
You set out to outrage but you can't get arrested
Despite your attempts to rebel and cause chaos, you're not significant enough to be punished for your actions.
You say your image is new, but it looks well tested
You claim to have a unique identity, but in reality it's a stale and overused image.
You're lost without a crowd yet you go your own way
You crave the approval of others but refuse to conform to their expectations, leading to a feeling of isolation.
You say your summer has gone
You think your prime is over and you're now past your best.
Now the Winter is crawlin' in
You feel like you're entering a dark and difficult phase of life.
They say that even in your day
Despite your previous successes, the world has moved on and you must adapt to survive.
Somehow you never could quite fit in
You've always felt like you don't belong or aren't understood by others.
Though it's cold outside
Even though you're facing adversity and challenges, there's hope for the future.
I know the Summer's gonna come again
You're confident that better times are ahead.
Because you know what they say
You're referencing a common phrase or belief that encourages optimism and hopefulness.
Every dog has his day
Everyone will eventually get their chance to succeed or prove themselves.
You're a misfit, afraid of yourself, so you run away and hide
Your feelings of insecurity and fear lead you to avoid opportunities and hide from the world.
You've been a misfit all your life
You've never felt like you fit in or belonged, which has been a lifelong struggle.
Why don't you join the crowd
You're encouraged to conform and become part of society, even if it means sacrificing your individuality.
And come inside
You're being invited to be a part of something bigger and more accepted.
You wander round this town like you've lost your way
You feel lost and confused, aimlessly wandering through life without direction.
You had your chance in your day
You were once offered an opportunity for success or acceptance, but didn't seize it.
Yet you threw it all away
You made a mistake or poor decision that led to the loss of your chance.
Look at all the losers and the mad eyed gazers
You observe and compare yourself to those who are deemed social outcasts and mentally unstable.
Look at all the looneys and the sad eyed failures
You see those who have been unsuccessful and unhappy in life.
They're giving up living 'cause they just don't care
They've lost their motivation and hope for a better future, leading to apathy and a lack of effort.
So take a good look around
You're being encouraged to truly observe and understand those around you.
The misfits are everywhere
There are many people who struggle to fit in and be accepted, just like you do.
This is your chance, this is your time
You're being offered another opportunity to succeed or make a positive change in your life.
So don't throw it away
You're encouraged to make the most of this chance and not let it go to waste.
You can have your day
You have the potential for success and happiness if you take action and believe in yourself.
Yes it's true what they say
You're once again referencing the hopeful adage from earlier in the song.
Every dog has his day
Everyone has the potential to achieve their goals or find contentment in life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave
Written by: RAY DAVIES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stephenchapman9198
Just a brilliant song, Ray a genius 👍
@jeffreybarkin3177
Incredible Song!
RAY DAVIES is Such a Talented Songwriter who sure has left a MASSIVE Influence on Modern Rock!
Thank You for such Fond Memories associated with your Craft!!!
❤
@NEVERagainEVER423
I love you Ray and Dave. So much!!❤
@bagoou2
Like the Kinks, a classic song that deserves great recognition! btw, a masterful recording!!!
@deananderson1647
GEM!
@ronaldconlin9701
The best is inavoidably. always less to the past.... forget this is the theme.... 🌴😎🏈
@jewelsandbinoculars1
take a good look around