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)

Pressure
The Kinks Lyrics

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Pressure pressure I got pressure, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Pressure pressure I got pressure, oh yeah

I don't really want to give it to you
'Cause it's really contagious
You can pick it up anywhere
And it can be quite dangerous
You can spread it mouth to mouth

You can even get it when you're alone
But I can always live with it
Whenever I am close to you

Pressure pressure I got pressure, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Pressure pressure I got pressure

I get it driving in my motor car
I get it when I'm drinking in a bar
I get it riding on the subway
I get it regular every day
And anyone who never had it yet
And doesn't know what I'm going through
But I forget the pressure
When I am close to you

Altogether now-Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Pressure pressure I got pressure Oh yeah. oh yeah. oh yeah
Pressure pressure feel the pressure

You got the pressure and that's a fact
I can tell by the way you act
And I can tell that you're pressurized
By the look that's in your eyes
I know the pressure 'cause I've got it too
So I know what you're going through

But I forget the pressure
Whenever I am close to you

Overall Meaning

The song "Pressure" by The Kinks addresses the issue of pressure and the different forms it can take. The lyrics delve into the idea that in today's world, pressure is everywhere and can be quite dangerous. The singer explains that although he does not want to share his pressure with anyone, it is contagious and people can pick it up in everyday situations like driving, drinking, or riding on the subway. However, he also explains that being close to someone, in this case, the person addressed in the song, helps relieve the pressure.

The lyrics of the song can be interpreted in different ways, but the most evident meaning lies in the pressures that society and life, in general, put on individuals. The lyrics also suggest that people can empathize with each other's stress and pressures. Although it is something we all go through, just having someone near can make the difference and alleviate some of the pressure.

Overall, The Kinks' "Pressure" brings awareness to the pressures of life and how they can affect individuals. It also showcases the importance of people's relationships and how they can help each other when under pressure.

Line by Line Meaning

Pressure pressure I got pressure, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
The singer is expressing the intense pressure they feel, which affects them in different situations, and repeating that feeling through these lines.

I don't really want to give it to you
The singer does not want to share the pressure they feel with someone else as pressure can be contagious and dangerous.

'Cause it's really contagious
The singer is acknowledging that pressure is contagious and could be easily spread from one person to another.

You can pick it up anywhere
The artist is suggesting that pressure can be obtained from various sources and it is present almost everywhere.

And it can be quite dangerous
The artist is warning that pressure, if uncontrolled, could lead to dangerous situations.

You can spread it mouth to mouth
The singer is pointing out that pressure can be transmitted through verbal communication.

You can even get it when you're alone
The singer is implying that one can feel pressure even if they are alone and no one is around them.

But I can always live with it
The artist is expressing that they have grown accustomed to the pressure and are able to live with it comfortably.

Whenever I am close to you
The artist finds solace in the presence of someone whom they are close to and forgets about the pressure.

I get it driving in my motor car
The artist feels pressure while driving their car.

I get it when I'm drinking in a bar
The singer feels pressure even when they are trying to relax by having a drink in a bar.

I get it riding on the subway
The artist feels pressure while commuting on the subway.

I get it regular every day
The pressure is part of the singer's daily life, and they experience it regularly.

And anyone who never had it yet
The singer is addressing anyone who has not yet experienced pressure and does not know what it feels like.

And doesn't know what I'm going through
The singer is implying that others who have not experienced the pressure can't understand the singer's experiences.

You got the pressure and that's a fact
The artist acknowledges that someone else is currently feeling pressure.

I can tell by the way you act
The artist is able to tell that someone else is experiencing pressure by their behavior and actions.

And I can tell that you're pressurized
The singer is able to recognize and identify the signs and symptoms of someone who is pressurized.

By the look that's in your eyes
The singer is identifying that the eyes can be an indicator of pressure.

I know the pressure 'cause I've got it too
The artist can relate to someone else who is experiencing pressure because they have experienced it themselves.

So I know what you're going through
The artist is able to empathize with someone else who is feeling pressure as they know what it means to experience it.

But I forget the pressure
The artist is able to forget their own pressure when they are in the presence of someone close to them.

Whenever I am close to you
The presence of someone close to the singer is able to calm them and help alleviate the pressure they are feeling.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Ray Davies

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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