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)
Mr. Pleasant
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hope the world is treating you right,
And your head's in the air,
And you're feeling so proud,
'Cause you're such a success,
And the whole wide world is on your side, hey hey.
How are you today?
Mr Pleasant is kind,
Mr Pleasant's okay,
Mr Pleasant don't mind.
As long as Mr Pleasant's all right, hey hey.
How are you today?
How's your father, how's your mother?
How's your sister, how's your brother?
How's your brand, new limousine,
Twenty-four inch TV screen?
Did you like prosperity
More than you liked poverty?
Life is easier, so much easier,
Life is easier now.
Oh Mr Pleasant, how is Mrs Pleasant?
Did you know she was flirting around
With another young man,
And he's taking her out
When you have to work late?
And it's not so pleasant after all, hey hey.
How are you today?
People say Mr Pleasant is good,
Mr Pleasant is kind,
Mr Pleasant's okay,
Mr Pleasant don't mind.
As long as Mr Pleasant's all right, hey hey.
How are you today?
Mr Pleasant is good,
Mr Pleasant is kind,
Mr Pleasant's okay.
The Kinks's song "Mr. Pleasant" seems to be a satirical take on the idea of success and how it can sometimes cause people to lose touch with reality. The lyrics describe Mr Pleasant as a successful man who the whole world adores and who is always "feeling so proud." However, the second verse suggests that his success and wealth have caused him to become arrogant and out of touch with the people around him. The lyrics ask after Mrs. Pleasant and then reveal that she is cheating on him, which implies that he is so consumed with his own success that he is oblivious to what is going on in his personal life. The song seems to be pointing out that success is not always all it's cracked up to be and that it can sometimes be isolating and lonely.
The chorus repeats the idea that Mr Pleasant is universally loved, but also hints at the fact that he is somewhat oblivious to the world around him. The line "Mr Pleasant don't mind" suggests that he is indifferent to the struggles and concerns of others, as long as he is doing okay himself. The final verse seems to suggest that success is a double-edged sword - life might be easier in some ways, but it also comes with its own set of problems and complications.
Overall, "Mr. Pleasant" is a song that both celebrates and lampoons the idea of success. It acknowledges the allure of wealth and fame, but also highlights the ways in which success can sometimes be isolating and unfulfilling.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Mr Pleasant, how is Mrs Pleasant?
Asking about Mr. Pleasant's wife and how she's doing.
I hope the world is treating you right,
Wishing Mr. Pleasant well in life.
And your head's in the air,
Mr. Pleasant is confident and self-assured.
And you're feeling so proud,
Mr. Pleasant is proud of his success.
'Cause you're such a success,
Mr. Pleasant is successful.
And the whole wide world is on your side, hey hey.
Everyone supports Mr. Pleasant and his endeavors.
How are you today?
Asking how Mr. Pleasant is doing.
People say Mr Pleasant is good,
Mr. Pleasant has a good reputation.
Mr Pleasant is kind,
Mr. Pleasant is a kind person.
Mr Pleasant's okay,
Mr. Pleasant is doing fine.
Mr Pleasant don't mind.
Mr. Pleasant is easygoing and doesn't get upset easily.
As long as Mr Pleasant's all right, hey hey.
As long as Mr. Pleasant is doing well, everything is good.
How's your father, how's your mother?
Asking about Mr. Pleasant's family members.
How's your sister, how's your brother?
Asking about Mr. Pleasant's siblings.
How's your brand, new limousine,
Asking about Mr. Pleasant's new car.
Twenty-four inch TV screen?
Asking about Mr. Pleasant's new television.
Did you like prosperity
Asking if Mr. Pleasant enjoys being successful.
More than you liked poverty?
Asking if Mr. Pleasant prefers being rich over being poor.
Life is easier, so much easier,
Being successful makes life easier for Mr. Pleasant.
Life is easier now.
Reinforcing that life is easier for Mr. Pleasant now that he's successful.
Did you know she was flirting around
Asking if Mr. Pleasant knows his wife is flirting with another man.
With another young man,
Clarifying that it's a young man that Mrs. Pleasant is flirting with.
And he's taking her out
The other man is taking Mrs. Pleasant out on dates.
When you have to work late?
This is happening when Mr. Pleasant has to work late, leaving his wife alone.
And it's not so pleasant after all, hey hey.
The situation is not so pleasant for Mr. Pleasant after all.
How are you today?
Asking again how Mr. Pleasant is doing.
Mr Pleasant is good,
Reiterating that Mr. Pleasant is good and has a good reputation.
Mr Pleasant is kind,
Reiterating that Mr. Pleasant is kind.
Mr Pleasant's okay.
Stating again that Mr. Pleasant is fine and doing well.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RAYMOND DOUGLAS DAVIES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Chedgey
on Do It Again
Great song but also a memorable music video. Why is it unavailable?