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)
Shangri-La
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is your Kingdom to command
You can go outside and polish your car
Or sit by the fire in your Shangri-la
Here is your reward for working so hard
Gone are the lavatories in the back yard
Gone are the days when you dreamed of that car
You just want to sit in your Shangri-la
Put on your slippers and sit by the fire
You've reached your top and you just can't get any higher
You're in your place and you know where you are
In your Shangri-la
Sit back in your old rocking chair
You need not worry, you need not care
You can't go anywhere
Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la
The little man who gets the train
Got a mortgage hanging over his head
But he's too scared to complain
'Cause he's conditioned that way
Time goes by and he pays off his debts
Got a TV set and a radio
For seven shillings a week
Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la
And all the houses in the street have got a name
'Cause all the houses in the street they look the same
Same chimney pots, same little cars, same window panes
The neighbors call to tell you things that you should know
They say their lines, they drink their tea, and then they go
They tell your business in another Shangri-la
The gas bills and the water rates, and payments on the car
Too scared to think about how insecure you are
Life ain't so happy in your little Shangri-la
Shangri-la, Shangri-la la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Put on your slippers and sit by the fire
You've reached your top and you just can't get any higher
You're in your place and you know where you are
In your Shangri-la
Sit back in your old rocking chair
You need not worry, you need not care
You can't go anywhere
Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la
In The Kinks's song "Shangri-La," the lyrics describe the concept of the American Dream taken to its logical extreme. The song tells the story of a man who has finally achieved his idea of success, living in a middle-class neighborhood with his car, TV, and radio. He now sits in his "Shangri-La" with all of his possessions, enjoying the comforts of his new life. The mantra of the song is "you've reached your top, and you just can't get any higher."
However, there is a sense of irony running throughout the lyrics. The neighbors all look the same and have the same possessions, and they all talk about the same things. While everything may look perfect on the surface, the reality is that life isn't so happy in this little Shangri-La. The man is still insecure, constantly worried about his gas bills and mortgage payments, and he has become "conditioned" to accept his lot in life without questioning it.
The song's chorus urges the listener to "put on your slippers and sit by the fire" in resignation, acknowledging that there is no point in striving for anything beyond this. It's a bleak commentary on the emptiness of material wealth and the dangers of settling for a life that ultimately fails to bring true fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Now that you've found your paradise
You have found a perfect place where you can be happy.
This is your Kingdom to command
This place is under your control.
You can go outside and polish your car
You can spend your time doing things that you enjoy.
Or sit by the fire in your Shangri-la
You can relax and enjoy your perfect place.
Here is your reward for working so hard
You have earned this paradise through your hard work.
Gone are the lavatories in the back yard
You no longer have to use a toilet in the backyard.
Gone are the days when you dreamed of that car
You no longer have to dream about owning a car.
You just want to sit in your Shangri-la
All you want to do is relax and enjoy your perfect place.
Put on your slippers and sit by the fire
Get comfortable and relax.
You've reached your top and you just can't get any higher
You have reached your ultimate goal and there's nothing more you could ask for.
You're in your place and you know where you are
You are in your perfect place where you are happy and content.
In your Shangri-la
This perfect place is your Shangri-la.
Sit back in your old rocking chair
Get even more comfortable and relax.
You need not worry, you need not care
You have nothing to worry about and nothing to care about.
You can't go anywhere
You have no need or desire to leave your perfect place.
Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la
This perfect place is your Shangri-la.
The little man who gets the train
A regular, working-class man who takes the train to work.
Got a mortgage hanging over his head
He has a loan to pay off for his house.
But he's too scared to complain
He is afraid to express his dissatisfaction with his life.
'Cause he's conditioned that way
He has been taught to accept his life as it is without complaint.
Time goes by and he pays off his debts
He slowly but surely pays off his debts over time.
Got a TV set and a radio
He has a television and a radio for entertainment.
For seven shillings a week
He pays a small amount of money each week for his entertainment.
And all the houses in the street have got a name
All the houses in the street are identical and have been given a name.
'Cause all the houses in the street they look the same
All the houses in the street are identical in appearance.
Same chimney pots, same little cars, same window panes
Everything on this street is identical, including the houses and their contents.
The neighbors call to tell you things that you should know
The neighbors are always watching and communicating with one another.
They say their lines, they drink their tea, and then they go
The neighbors are following routine and lead mundane lives.
They tell your business in another Shangri-la
The neighbors gossip and spread rumors about each other.
The gas bills and the water rates, and payments on the car
Despite the mundane lives of the working-class, they still have bills to pay.
Too scared to think about how insecure you are
The working-class is too afraid to face the fact that they are not secure in their lives.
Life ain't so happy in your little Shangri-la
The working-class life is not as happy and perfect as it may seem.
Shangri-la, Shangri-la la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Despite the struggles, the perfect place is still known as Shangri-la.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEFF LYNNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
andrew james Bunting
Lyrics
Now that you've found your paradise
This is your kingdom to command
You can go outside and polish your car
Or sit by the fire in your Shangri-la
Here's your reward for working so hard
Gone on the lavatories in the back yard
Gone all the days when you dreamed of that car
You just want to sit in your shangri-la
Put on your slippers and sit by the fire
You've reached your top and you just can't get any higher
You're in your place and you know where you are
In your Shangri-la
Sit back in your old rocking chair
You need not worry, you need not care
You can't go anywhere
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
The little man who gets the train
Has got a mortgage hanging over his head
But he's too scared to complain
'Cause he's conditioned that way
Time goes by and he pays off his debts
Got a T.V set and a radio
For seven Shillings a week
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
All the houses on the street have got a name
'Cause all the houses in the street they look the same
Same chimney pots, same little cars, same window panes
The neighbors call to tell you things that you should know
They say their lines, they drink their tea, and then they go
They tell your business in another Shangri-la
The gas bills and the water rates, and payments on the car
Too scared to think about how insecure you are
Life ain't so happy in your little Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la la la la la la la la la
Put on your slippers and sit by the fire
You've reached your top and you just can't get any higher
You're in your place and you know where you are
In your Shangri-la
Sit back in your old rocking chair
You need not worry, you need not care
You can't go anywhere
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Jan den Hartog
Now that you've found your paradise
This is your kingdom to command
You can go outside and polish your car
Or sit by the fire in your Shangri-la
Here's your reward for working so hard
Gone on the lavatories in the back yard
Gone all the days when you dreamed of that car
You just want to sit in your shangri-la
Put on your slippers and sit by the fire
You've reached your top and you just can't get any higher
You're in your place and you know where you are
In your Shangri-la
Sit back in your old rocking chair
You need not worry, you need not care
You can't go anywhere
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
The little man who gets the train
Has got a mortgage hanging over his head
But he's too scared to complain
'Cause he's conditioned that way
Time goes by and he pays off his debts
Got a T.V set and a radio
For seven Shillings a week
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
All the houses on the street have got a name
'Cause all the houses in the street they look the same
Same chimney pots, same little cars, same window panes
The neighbors call to tell you things that you should know
They say their lines, they drink their tea, and then they go
They tell your business in another Shangri-la
The gas bills and the water rates, and payments on the car
Too scared to think about how insecure you are
Life ain't so happy in your little Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la la la la la la la la la
Put on your slippers and sit by the fire
You've reached your top and you just can't get any higher
You're in your place and you know where you are
In your Shangri-la
Sit back in your old rocking chair
You need not worry, you need not care
You can't go anywhere
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Shangri-la
Korkunç Günlük
"Shangri-La"
Now that you've found your paradise
This is your Kingdom to command
You can go outside and polish your car
Or sit by the fire in your Shangri-la
Here is your reward for working so hard
Gone are the lavatories in the back yard
Gone are the days when you dreamed of that car
You just want to sit in your Shangri-la
Put on your slippers and sit by the fire
You've reached your top and you just can't get any higher
You're in your place and you know where you are
In your Shangri-la
Sit back in your old rocking chair
You need not worry, you need not care
You can't go anywhere
Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la
The little man who gets the train
Got a mortgage hanging over his head
But he's too scared to complain
'Cos he's conditioned that way
Time goes by and he pays off his debts
Got a TV set and a radio
For seven shillings a week
Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la
And all the houses in the street have got a name
'Cos all the houses in the street they look the same
Same chimney pots, same little cars, same window panes
The neighbors call to tell you things that you should know
They say their lines, they drink their tea, and then they go
They tell your business in another Shangri-la
The gas bills and the water rates, and payments on the car
Too scared to think about how insecure you are
Life ain't so happy in your little Shangri-la
Shangri-la, Shangri-la la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Put on your slippers and sit by the fire
You've reached your top and you just can't get any higher
You're in your place and you know where you are
In your Shangri-la
Sit back in your old rocking chair
You need not worry, you need not care
You can't go anywhere
Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la, Shangri-la
cincymutt1812
Listening to this song made me realize that Mick Avery might be one of the most slept-on talents of this era of rock/pop. Once I realized how good the drums were in this, I relistened to a lot of their other stuff (particularly from Arthur and Village Green), and he has some juicy drum parts. He has some killer fills, and even his simpler beat patterns have some real kick to them.
He only really suffers when comparing him to the all-time legends like Keith Moon; but pitting him against the drummers from most bands that were big at the time, I think he'd prove to be fairly exceptional. I dunno, maybe I'm wrong, but I've listened to a lot of music from around this time, and Avery's style just stands out to me.
地球市民
The Kinks,the most underrated group ever, in my opinion. Their music is simply a masterpiece, they made a unique style. I personally love this band, and I think that objectively it should be leas underrated.
Emperor Norton I
I don't think they're underrated. They just happen to be rated fourth of the big four: Beatles, Stones, Who, and Kinks. It doesn't mean they're not widely beloved. The best you can do for them is move them is move them ahead of The Who.
Jake
Dont forget about the band that handsome devil right up there with these guys for being amazing and having numerous great songs and so unknown
Dick Schlitz
People say Beatles, stones, who, zepp, floyd , kinks but as time goes by I think the kinks hold up nicely
And maybe an order system in itself is not appropriate because the bands were different n when I’m in a ray davies mood nothing else will do yknow-
MARSBELLA1
They wanted to be under rated x wise men
martin radcliffe
It's a crowded field, but possibly the greatest Kinks song of all.
Jeffry Hammel
It's impossible to say. I've difficulties making a top 20!
martin radcliffe
@Jeffry Hammel Yep, there's a LOT of songs you can make a case for.
Albert Wallace
Totally agree. Their masterpiece.