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)

Mr. Songbird
The Kinks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Won't you sing me a song or two,
Won't take you long to just sing to me please,
Won't you whistle a tune.
I got nothing to gain, I got nothing to lose,
But if you sing me a song,
You'll make me happy [?].
Sing Mr. Songbird,
Sing Mr. Songbird,

Sing Mr. Songbird,
You help to keep my troubles away.
Sing Mr. Songbird,
Sing Mr. Songbird,
Sing Mr. Songbird,
You help to keep my troubles away.
Mister, won't you sing me a song,
Won't you sing a little melody.
Won't you try to help me along,
Won't you sing a little song for me, oh yeah.
Sing me a song or two,
Won't take you long to just sing to me please,
Won't you whistle a tune.
Though I ain't got a beanie
'Cause I've nothing to dream,
So if you waiting for nothing,
Do something for me.
Sing Mr. Songbird,
Sing Mr. Songbird,
Sing Mr. Songbird,
You help to keep my troubles away.
Sing Mr. Songbird,
Sing Mr. Songbird,
Sing Mr. Songbird,
You help to keep my troubles away.

You help to keep my problems away.
You help to keep the devil away.

Overall Meaning

The Kinks's song "Mr. Songbird" is a request to a small, seemingly insignificant bird to sing a song to the singer, as there is nothing else that can help ease his troubles. The repetition of "sing Mr. Songbird" emphasizes the desperation of the singer, who is seeking comfort and relief from his worries. The singer has nothing to gain nor lose from the bird's song, but he believes that it will make him happy and keep his troubles and problems away.

The lyrics of the song can be interpreted in different ways. The song may be seen as a whimsical and naive request for comfort from a small bird, highlighting the singer's childlike simplicity and innocence. On the other hand, the song may be seen as a commentary on the power of music and how it can transform one's mood and alleviate one's troubles, regardless of the source of the music.

Line by Line Meaning

Won't you sing me a song or two,
Please sing a couple of songs for me.

Won't take you long to just sing to me please,
It won't take much time for you to sing for me, so please do.

Won't you whistle a tune.
Can you whistle a melody for me?

I got nothing to gain, I got nothing to lose,
I am neither benefiting nor losing from this request.

But if you sing me a song,
However, a song from you would make me happy.

You'll make me happy [?].
Your singing would bring joy to me.

Sing Mr. Songbird,
Please sing for me, Mr. Songbird.

You help to keep my troubles away.
Your singing brings comfort and distracts me from my troubles.

Mister, won't you sing me a song,
Sir, can you please sing a song for me?

Won't you sing a little melody.
Can you sing a small tune for me?

Won't you try to help me along,
Can you assist me by singing something?