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)
Polly
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Polly wouldn't listen to her papa
She tried to make the swinging city scene
And now there's not a place that Polly hasn't been
Polly, pretty, pretty Pollyanna
Pretty, pretty Pollyanna
Pretty Polly Garter
Pretty Polly, dressed as jolly as can be
She's so darling, all the fellas do agree
And half a million people can't be wrong
Oh, I think that pretty Polly should have stayed at home
Polly wrote a letter to her mama
Polly made confessions to her papa
Mummy's proud 'cause Polly's still in chains
She's happy now her baby's coming home again
Pretty Polly, she learned that life is just a game
She is sorry, she just had to break the chains
And Mama knows 'cause mama was the same
Oh, she's happy now her baby's coming home again
Polly, pretty, pretty Pollyanna
Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty Pollyanna, Pollyanna
Pretty Polly Garter
Oh, Polly, pretty, pretty Pollyanna
Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty Pollyanna, Pollyanna
Pretty Polly Garter
Oh, I think that pretty Polly should have stayed at home
The Kinks's song Polly depicts a young woman named Polly who defies her parents' expectations by leaving her hometown to pursue the swinging city scene. Despite her parents' warnings, Polly continues to live a wild and adventurous lifestyle, causing many people to take notice of her. The chorus echoes the sentiment that perhaps Polly should have listened to her parents and stayed at home.
The lyrics suggest that Polly's parents may have been more traditional or conservative in their outlook, and warned her of the dangers of the urban lifestyle. However, Polly is depicted as being independent and determined to make her own way in the world. Despite her wild behavior, Polly continues to keep in touch with her parents, writing letters to her mother and confessing to her father. The final verse suggests that Polly has come to realize the futility of her lifestyle and has decided to return home.
The song can be interpreted as a cautionary tale about the dangers of rebelling against authority and the importance of listening to wise counsel. The chorus suggests that the grass may not always be greener on the other side and that there is value in staying true to one's roots and upbringing.
Line by Line Meaning
Polly wouldn't listen to her mama
Polly refused to heed her mother's advice
Polly wouldn't listen to her papa
Polly disregarded her father's guidance
She tried to make the swinging city scene
She attempted to become a part of the lively urban nightlife
And now there's not a place that Polly hasn't been
Polly has traveled far and wide to explore new experiences
Pretty Polly Garter
Polly is attractive and draws attention from men
Oh, I think that pretty Polly should have stayed at home
It would have been better for Polly to remain at home
Polly wrote a letter to her mama
Polly penned a letter to her mother
Polly made confessions to her papa
Polly confessed to her father
Mummy's proud 'cause Polly's still in chains
Mother is pleased that Polly is still tied to the traditional way of life
She's happy now her baby's coming home again
Mother is delighted that her daughter is returning home
Pretty Polly, she learned that life is just a game
Polly realized that life is simply a form of amusement
She is sorry, she just had to break the chains
Polly regrets her decisions, but felt the need to rebel
And Mama knows 'cause mama was the same
Mother understands because she went through the same experiences
Polly, pretty, pretty Pollyanna
Polly is a lovely and optimistic person
Pretty Polly Garter
Polly is attractive and draws attention from men
Oh, I think that pretty Polly should have stayed at home
It would have been better for Polly to remain at home
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RAYMOND DOUGLAS DAVIES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ScoriacTears
Polly wouldn't listen to her mama
Polly wouldn't listen to her papa
She tried to make the swinging city scene
And now there's not a place that Polly hasn't been
Polly, pretty, pretty Pollyanna
Pretty, pretty Pollyanna
Pretty Polly Garter
Oh, I think that pretty Polly should have stayed at home
Pretty Polly, dressed as jolly as can be
She's so darling, all the fellas do agree
And half a million people can't be wrong
Oh, I think that pretty Polly should have stayed at home
Polly wrote a letter to her mama
Polly made confessions to her papa
Mummy's proud 'cause Polly's still in chains
She's happy now her baby's coming home again
Pretty Polly, she learned that life is just a game
She is sorry, she just had to break the chains
And Mama knows 'cause mama was the same
Oh, she's happy now her baby's coming home again
Polly, pretty, pretty Pollyanna
Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty Pollyanna, Pollyanna
Pretty Polly Garter
Oh, Polly, pretty, pretty Pollyanna
Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty Pollyanna, Pollyanna
Pretty Polly Garter
Oh, I think that pretty Polly should have stayed at home
@bernieparent8317
Absolutely awesome song , what we always get from Ray and the boys.
@chairrdkarm7686
A great musician, R.D. Davies.
@marciocobalchini4826
uma das minhas preferidas
@AnthonyMonaghan
It's hard to remember at times if this is The Kinks or The Who! A great tune with a chorus that is to die for. B side!
@traceygibson1693
Anthony Monaghan Pete Townsend has said many times of how the who copied the kinks and it shows.......
@AnthonyMonaghan
TRACEY GIBSON He wrote "Can't Explain" after hearing "All day and all of the night". Ray Davies... Ahead of the pack. Cheers. A
@bobsmith-ih7ol
@Anthony Monaghan Actually " Can't explain " was a copy of Kink's " She's got everything " and produced by ex Kink manager Shel Talmy. Really pissed Ray off !! Got it straight from The Kinks official Biography.
@user-hu3iy9gz5j
@Anthony Monaghan Doors did the same with Hello, I love You
@Themanwhocameback2
This had to have "INFLUENCED" The Who's "Happy Jack".
@markhamer7220
The kinks at their best.