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)
Pretty 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,
Pretty Polly Garter
Oh, Polly, pretty pretty Pollyanna,
Pretty pretty pretty pretty Pollyanna,
Pretty Polly Garter
I think that pretty Polly should have stayed at home.
The Kinks's song Pretty Polly tells the story of a young woman named Polly who leaves her small town in search of excitement in the big city. Despite the warnings of her Mama and Papa, Polly is determined to experience all that the swinging city scene has to offer. The lyrics reveal that Polly has not only broken free from the expectations of her family but also the societal norms of her small town. However, Polly learns that life in the city is not what she expected and eventually writes a letter to her Mama, confessing her regrets and longing to come back home.
The song is a cautionary tale about the perils of chasing after a certain lifestyle without considering the consequences. It highlights the struggles and challenges that come with living a life that is not in line with your values and upbringing. The Kinks's use of the character Polly to illustrate this message is effective as it demonstrates the transformative potential of experience and the desire for belonging.
Overall, the song Pretty Polly is a poignant commentary on the dangers of leaving behind one's roots for the sake of experiencing something new. It speaks to the universal experience of feeling lost and disconnected and the importance of finding one's place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Polly wouldn't listen to her Mama,
Polly refused to follow her mother's guidance.
Polly wouldn't listen to her Papa.
Polly ignored her father's advice.
She tried to make the swinging city scene,
She attempted to become a part of the exciting city culture.
And now there's not a place that Polly hasn't been.
Polly has traveled extensively and experienced much of the world.
Pretty pretty Pollyanna,
An affectionate nickname for Polly.
Pretty pretty Pollyanna,
Repeated affectionate nickname for Polly.
Pretty Polly Garter
A nod to the traditional folk song 'Pretty Polly.'
Oh, I think that pretty Polly should have stayed at home.
The artist believes that Polly should have remained in her hometown.
Pretty Polly, dressed as jolly as can be,
Polly dressed in a happy, lively manner.
She's so darling, all the fellas do agree,
Men find Polly charming and attractive.
And half a million people can't be wrong,
Implying that Polly is popular and well-liked by many.
Polly wrote a letter to her Mama,
Polly communicated with her mother through a written message.
Polly made confessions to her Papa.
Polly revealed personal information to her father.
Mummy's proud 'cause Polly's still in chains
Polly's mother is happy that she has not abandoned traditional values.
She's happy now her baby's coming home again.
Polly's mother is glad that she is returning home to her family.
Pretty Polly, she learned that life is just a game,
Polly discovered that life is full of uncertainties and challenges.
She is sorry, she just had to break the chains.
Polly regrets disobeying her parents and taking risks.
And Mama knows, 'cause Mama was the same
Polly's mother understands Polly's desire for adventure because she felt the same as a young woman.
Oh, Polly, pretty pretty Pollyanna,
Another affectionate nickname for Polly, used in a pleading tone.
Pretty pretty pretty pretty Pollyanna,
Repeated affectionate nickname for Polly.
Pretty Polly Garter
Reference to the traditional folk song, used as a refrain.
I think that pretty Polly should have stayed at home.
The artist repeats their belief that Polly should have remained in her hometown.
Contributed by Ruby Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@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.