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)
Plastic Man
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And his neighbors think he's helpful and he's sweet
'Cause he never swears and he always shakes you by the hand
But no one knows he really is a plastic man
(Plastic man, plastic man)
He's got plastic heart, plastic teeth and toes
(Yeah, he's plastic man)
(Yeah, he's plastic man)
He's got plastic lips that hide his plastic teeth and gums
And plastic legs that reach up to his plastic bum
(Plastic bum, plastic bum )
Plastic man got no brain
Plastic man don't feel no pain
Plastic people look the same
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Kick his shin or tread on his face
Pull his nose all over the place
He can't disfigure, or disgrace
Plastic man
(Plastic man, plastic man)
He's got plastic flowers growing up the walls
(Yeah, he eats plastic food)
He eats plastic food with a plastic knife and fork
(Yeah, he's plastic man)
He likes plastic cups and saucers 'cause they never break
And he likes to lick his gravy off a plastic plate
Plastic man got no brain
Plastic man don't feel no pain
Plastic people look the same
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Kick his shin or tread on his face
Pull his nose all over the place
He can't disfigure, or disgrace
Plastic man
(Plastic man, plastic man)
He's got a plastic wife who wears a plastic mac
(Yeah, he's plastic man)
And his children wanna be plastic like their dad
(Yeah, he's plastic man)
He's got a phony smile that makes you think he understands
But no one ever gets the truth from plastic man
(Plastic man, plastic man)
Plastic man
(Plastic man, plastic man)
In the song "Plastic Man," The Kinks explore the concept of identity and authenticity. The song tells the story of a man who seems pleasant and helpful to his neighbors, but in reality, he is a plastic man. He has all plastic body parts, from his heart to his knees to his nose. He even eats plastic food with plastic utensils. He has a plastic wife and children who also aspire to be plastic like him. The plastic man can't feel pain or show emotions, and he has no real personality or individuality. He may appear perfect and unblemished on the outside, but on the inside, he is hollow.
The lyrics of the song are a commentary on modern society and the pressure to conform to societal norms and expectations. The plastic man represents the idealized, superficial version of the self that people project to the world, while hiding their true thoughts, feelings, and flaws. The Kinks suggest that this type of behavior is ultimately unfulfilling and dehumanizing, and that it is better to be authentic and true to oneself, even if that means being imperfect or vulnerable.
Line by Line Meaning
A man lives at the corner of the street
There's a person residing at the end of the street.
And his neighbors think he's helpful and he's sweet
His neighbors believe that he's a kind and supportive individual.
'Cause he never swears and he always shakes you by the hand
Since he never uses any foul talk and greets everyone with a handshake.
But no one knows he really is a plastic man
Nevertheless, people are unaware that he's a fake person.
He's got plastic heart, plastic teeth and toes
He's got a fake heart, teeth and toes that are all made of plastic.
He's got plastic knees and a perfect plastic nose
He's got brand new plastic knees and an ideal plastic nose.
He's got plastic lips that hide his plastic teeth and gums
He's got fake lips that cover his fake teeth and gums.
And plastic legs that reach up to his plastic bum
Moreover, he has plastic legs that go up to his fake bum.
Plastic man got no brain
The plastic man has no intelligence or emotion.
Plastic man don't feel no pain
The plastic man is incapable of experiencing pain.
Plastic people look the same
Individuals made of plastic possess an identical look.
Kick his shin or tread on his face
One may kick his shin or step on his face without any repercussions.
Pull his nose all over the place
One may distort his nose since it's made of plastic.
He can't disfigure, or disgrace
He won't feel humiliated or deformed since he's made of plastic.
He's got plastic flowers growing up the walls
His fake flowers are sprouting from the walls.
He eats plastic food with a plastic knife and fork
He consumes false sustenance with a plastic knife and fork.
He likes plastic cups and saucers 'cause they never break
He prefers fake cups and saucers since they don't break.
And he likes to lick his gravy off a plastic plate
He derives pleasure from consuming his gravy off a fake plate.
He's got a plastic wife who wears a plastic mac
He's married to a fake wife who wears a plastic mac.
And his children wanna be plastic like their dad
His children aspire to be like him and are impressed by his fake persona.
He's got a phony smile that makes you think he understands
He has a fake grin that is intended to make you believe that he comprehends.
But no one ever gets the truth from plastic man
However, nobody ever discovers the truth about the plastic man.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RAYMOND DOUGLAS DAVIES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cole5266
A man lives at the corner of the street
And his neighbors think he's helpful and he's sweet
'Cause he never swears and he always shakes you by the hand
But no one knows he really is a plastic man
(Plastic man, plastic man)
He's got plastic heart, plastic teeth and toes
(Yeah, he's plastic man)
He's got plastic knees and a perfect plastic nose
(Yeah, he's plastic man)
He's got plastic lips that hide his plastic teeth and gums
And plastic legs that reach up to his plastic bum
(Plastic bum, plastic bum )
Plastic man got no brain
Plastic man don't feel no pain
Plastic people look the same
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Kick his shin or tread on his face
Pull his nose all over the place
He can't disfigure, or disgrace
Plastic man
(Plastic man, plastic man)
He's got plastic flowers growing up the walls
(Yeah, he eats plastic food)
He eats plastic food with a plastic knife and fork
(Yeah, he's plastic man)
He likes plastic cups and saucers 'cause they never break
And he likes to lick his gravy off a plastic plate
Plastic man got no brain
Plastic man don't feel no pain
Plastic people look the same
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Kick his shin or tread on his face
Pull his nose all over the place
He can't disfigure, or disgrace
Plastic man
(Plastic man, plastic man)
He's got a plastic wife who wears a plastic mac
(Yeah, he's plastic man)
And his children wanna be plastic like their dad
(Yeah, he's plastic man)
He's got a phony smile that makes you think he understands
But no one ever gets the truth from plastic man
(Plastic man, plastic man)
Plastic man
(Plastic man, plastic man)
@SemillaJoven
One of the most fantastic songs ever written and performed.
@mattandersonmusic
Their songs are always the perfect length. What they fit in in 3 minute songs is amazing. They seem longer but they're not.
@mnemo-nyx5750
If DC doesn't use this song to introduce Plastic Man imma bring my fists.
@gabrielolivares577
Underrated superhero right there
@p.m.e.7311
I agree but I would not mind an Elvis song since he kinda looks like him
@gabrielolivares577
@@p.m.e.7311 see but what song would fit though ?
@p.m.e.7311
@@gabrielolivares577 most Elvis songs i know fit but probably viva los Vegas or something along the lines
@CaptBackwards
Best suit him on multiple levels since plastic man still have those "sticky fingers temptations" yet he is a super hero. A hero that have those temptations but eventually doesn't give into them for the greater good.
@rozza4387
The Kinks are so underrated!! Ray Davies is a genius and the band itself are so talented and full of character. 🇬🇧👌
@JohnHWelch63
Ahaaaahaa! I only had to go two comments deep to find the inevitable tool that claims the Kinks are underrated! 😂😂😂