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)
New World
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wake up in the morning
Looking at the street below.
Oh, the aggravation down below.
It's no coincidence at all.
The war is over,
But the battle has just begun.
It's still going on,
Why?
Mass migration of people,
Lithuania, estonia, czechoslovakia, poland,
Refugees from all over the european continent.
All traveling to america,
The land of the free.
All traveling to america,
To the great city.
Life in the city
Started to get me down.
Everybody pushin' and shovin',
Aggravation all around.
Aggravation.
C'mon
C'mon
Oh baby
[? ]
Have you had enough?
Have you had enough of all this aggravation?
Fifty years ago this year,
It was fifty years ago this year,
When the aggravation begun.
It's still going on.
Ein, zwei, drei, vier
The lyrics to The Kinks' song "New World" depict a sense of frustration and unrest within society. The opening lines, "Ein, zwei, drei, vier," which mean "one, two, three, four" in German, create a rhythmic and energetic tone that sets the stage for what is to come. The singer wakes up in the morning and looks at the street below, immediately feeling aggravated by the chaos and tension he witnesses. This aggravation is not coincidental; it is a product of the aftermath of war, which may have ended but has left deep scars and ongoing battles.
The song then delves into the topic of mass migration and the experiences of refugees from various European countries seeking a better life in America. The lyrics list countries such as Lithuania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, and Poland, highlighting the extensive movement of people across the European continent. These individuals are drawn to America, known as the land of the free, and specifically to the great city, which represents the opportunities and dreams they aspire to achieve.
However, as they reach the city, life begins to weigh heavily on the singer's spirit. He feels overwhelmed by the constant pushing and shoving, realizing that the aggravation he witnessed from above is not limited to the streets but permeates every aspect of urban life. The repetition of the word "aggravation" emphasizes the persistence of these challenges and the negative impact they have on one's well-being.
In the final verse, the lyrics pose a poignant question to the listener, asking if they have had enough of the aggravation. This frustration has been ongoing for fifty years, as indicated by the reference to the song's release and the anniversary of the aggravation's beginning. Through the repetition of the German counting "ein, zwei, drei, vier," the lyrics signify the persistent nature of the problem and suggest that it is time for change and resolution. Ultimately, "New World" examines the cyclical nature of societal tensions and implores for a collective response to overcome these ongoing challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Ein, zwei, drei, vier
Counting off in German, symbolizing the beginning of a new era.
I wake up in the morning
Starting a new day, feeling the weight of the world.
Looking at the street below.
Observing the chaotic world outside.
Oh, the aggravation down below.
Noticing the frustration and distress in society.
It's no coincidence at all.
Acknowledging that these problems are not random occurrences.
The war is over,
The physical conflict has ended.
But the battle has just begun.
The struggle for peace and harmony is ongoing.
It's still going on,
The fight against societal issues continues.
Still going on.
Emphasizing the persistence of these problems.
Why?
Questioning the reasons behind this perpetual state of turmoil.
Mass migration of people,
Large-scale movement of individuals.
Lithuania, estonia, czechoslovakia, poland,
Specific countries experiencing this migration.
Refugees from all over the european continent.
People seeking refuge from various parts of Europe.
All traveling to america,
Seeking a better life in the United States.
The land of the free.
America, a symbol of freedom and opportunity.
All traveling to america,
Continuation of the mentioned migration.
To the great city.
Heading towards the bustling city life.
Life in the city
Challenges faced in urban environments
Started to get me down.
Feeling disheartened by the difficulties of city living.
Everybody pushin' and shovin',
Experiencing the constant pushing and shoving of crowded spaces.
Aggravation all around.
The pervasive presence of frustration and annoyance.
Aggravation.
Emphasizing the repetitiveness of these troubles.
C'mon C'mon
Expressing an urging desire for change and unity.
Oh baby
Addressing someone affectionately.
[? ]
Unclear lyrics, subject to interpretation.
Have you had enough?
Questioning if the listener has reached their limit.
Have you had enough of all this aggravation?
Asking if the listener is tired of the ongoing troubles.
Fifty years ago this year,
Referring to a specific point in time.
It was fifty years ago this year,
Reiterating the mentioned timeframe.
When the aggravation begun.
When the cycle of frustration started.
Ein, zwei, drei, vier
Repeating the German counting off, signifying the cyclical nature of these problems.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@michaelplatter3281
The Kinks are the Kings
@torjohannesjensen7636
Really cool song. Another side of Ray!
@JMoisica
Ray Davies meets LCD Soundsystem
@edwardconnolly331
Another Ray Davies classic!
@user-sk1re6vw9q
Песня на злобу дня?!
🙂
@wrapcall1461
Ukraine 15/04/2022
You and me are free,
From the morning.....
Till the end of the day.
Ray Davies 21 yrs old
Kink Kontroversy
#50. Till the End of the Day 1993
#01. New World
#02. He's Evil
@wrapcall1461
I need someone,
It's dark and I could get lonely,
I am free
Ukraine 24/02/2022. Dave Davies
#1. New World
#2. He's Evil