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)

Such a Shame
The Kinks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

All the good times have all been in vain,
It's a shame, such a shame, such a shame.
It's a shame,
'Cause I didn't want to cause you any pain,

But I know that it wouldn't be the same
All the good times have all been in vain,
It's a shame, such a shame, such a shame.

It's a shame,

'Cause I didn't intend to do you wrong,
I'd come back but it wouldn't last for long.
I would, if I could, but I can't.
It's a shame, such a shame, such a shame.

It's a shame, such a shame,
'Cause I swore I'd never let you down,
But I was the one who was doing wrong,
It's a shame, such a shame, such a shame.

'Cause I didn't intend to do you wrong,
I'd come back but it wouldn't last for long.
I would, if I could, but I can't.
It's a shame, such a shame, such a shame.

It's a shame, such a shame,
'Cause I swore I'd never let you down,
But I was the one who was doing wrong,
It's a shame, such a shame, such a shame.

'Cause I didn't want to cause you any pain,
But I know that it wouldn't be the same

All the good times have all been in vain,
It's a shame, such a shame, such a shame.

Overall Meaning

The Kinks's song "Such a Shame" is a reflective song about the regret and sadness felt by the singer after a failed relationship. The singer realizes that while he didn't intend to cause the other person pain or hurt, his actions have ultimately led to the demise of their relationship. The chorus repeats the phrase "such a shame" throughout the song, highlighting the feeling of disappointment and bitter regret that the singer is feeling.

The first verse reflects on the fact that all the good times they shared have been in vain and laments the ending of the relationship. Despite not wanting to cause any pain, the singer acknowledges that it wouldn't have been the same even if they had stayed together. In the second verse, the singer indicates that he had never intended to do anything wrong and wants to come back to patch things up, but knows that it wouldn't last for long. The chorus repeats again, highlighting how much of a shame it all is. The final verse repeats the sentiment of the first verse but ends with the singer saying that he didn't want to cause any pain but knows that it's all in vain.

Overall, "Such a Shame" is a song about understanding and accepting the consequences of one's actions and how they have affected a relationship. The regretful and mournful tone of the song reflects the pain and sorrow of a failed relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

All the good times have all been in vain,
All the enjoyable moments we had together were useless and unproductive.

It's a shame, such a shame, such a shame.
It is unfortunate and regrettable that things turned out this way.

It's a shame,
I am disappointed with the outcome of our relationship.

'Cause I didn't want to cause you any pain,
I never intended to hurt you in any way.

But I know that it wouldn't be the same
I am aware that things have changed and can never be the same again.

'Cause I didn't intend to do you wrong,
My actions were not deliberate and were not meant to cause you harm.

I'd come back but it wouldn't last for long.
I might consider returning to our relationship, but it won't be for long.

I would, if I could, but I can't.
I wish I could fix things between us, but it's not possible.

'Cause I swore I'd never let you down,
I promised to never disappoint you or let you down.

But I was the one who was doing wrong,
However, I was the one who eventually caused our relationship to fail.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, BROADWAY MUSIC CORPORATION, Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd
Written by: DAVIES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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