Surviving
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)

Surviving
The Kinks Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Look at us here today
Lots of talking with nothing to say
And if I seem somewhat afraid
I'm surviving, that's all I am
I'm surviving to be a better man
I'm surviving, that's my plan
Just surviving
Yesterday, I was sure
But today I don't know anymore
Thought I was brave till I saw
My frightened reflection in a dark corridor
Now I'm surviving to be a better man
I'm surviving with an emotional plan
I'm surviving, so please understand
I'm surviving, surviving

There are millions of people out there
Trying to get by in a world that don't care
People smiling through clouds of despair
Protecting the wounds until they repair
They're surviving the best way they can
They are surviving every woman and man
Just surviving with an emotion plan
So keep surviving

Maybe it's my shattered pride
That's why I get scared of emotional ties
Don't let them in, otherwise
You'll smile like a fool
But you'll be hurting inside
So I'm surviving through the insecurity
I am surviving, I got hope inside of me
So I'm smiling through all the insanity
I'm surviving, surviving

I was moved by the way that you said
Don't be afraid, I won't leave you for dead
You took my soul and mixed up my head
You left me alive
You should have killed me instead
Now I'm surviving, that's all I am
I'm surviving to be a better man
I'm surviving, that's my plan




I'm surviving, surviving
Surviving

Overall Meaning

The Kinks's "Surviving" is a song that acknowledges the painful journey of growing and changing. The opening lyrics paint a picture of a group of people who are gathered together, but who are not connected or engaged in meaningful conversation. The singer confesses his fear of vulnerability, along with his determination to keep moving forward. He is "surviving" in the sense that he is pushing through his own insecurities and doubts with the goal of becoming a better person.


As the song progresses, the singer reflects on the challenges of life more broadly, acknowledging the millions of people out there who are also "trying to get by in a world that don't care." He expresses admiration for those who are able to move forward despite their struggles, acknowledging the power of the human spirit to survive and thrive in the face of adversity.


Line by Line Meaning

Look at us here today
We are present here today


Lots of talking with nothing to say
We are having meaningless conversations


And if I seem somewhat afraid
I am scared of my present situation


I'm surviving, that's all I am
I am merely surviving


I'm surviving to be a better man
I am surviving to become a better person


I'm surviving, that's my plan
My plan is to survive


Yesterday, I was sure
I was certain about my beliefs yesterday


But today I don't know anymore
Today, I am confused


Thought I was brave till I saw
I realized my fear when I saw


My frightened reflection in a dark corridor
My scared self in a dark place


Now I'm surviving to be a better man
I am surviving to improve myself


I'm surviving with an emotional plan
I am surviving with a plan to cope emotionally


I'm surviving, so please understand
I am only surviving, please understand


There are millions of people out there
There are many people in this world


Trying to get by in a world that don't care
Trying to survive in a world that is insensitive


People smiling through clouds of despair
People pretending to be happy in their sadness


Protecting the wounds until they repair
Healing their wounds by protecting them


They're surviving the best way they can
They are surviving by any means necessary


They are surviving every woman and man
Both men and women are surviving


Just surviving with an emotion plan
Surviving with a plan to cope emotionally


So keep surviving
Keep moving forward and surviving


Maybe it's my shattered pride
My broken ego could be the reason


That's why I get scared of emotional ties
I fear emotional connections because of my pride


Don't let them in, otherwise
I must not let anyone in, or else


You'll smile like a fool
I will pretend to be happy


But you'll be hurting inside
But I will be in pain inside


So I'm surviving through the insecurity
I am surviving the fear and doubts


I am surviving, I got hope inside of me
I am surviving because of the hope inside me


So I'm smiling through all the insanity
I am pretending to be happy during the chaos


I'm surviving, surviving
I am only surviving


I was moved by the way that you said
I was touched by your words


Don't be afraid, I won't leave you for dead
I won't abandon you, don't be scared


You took my soul and mixed up my head
You confused me emotionally


You left me alive
You didn't kill me


You should have killed me instead
It would have been better for me to die instead


Now I'm surviving, that's all I am
I am still surviving after you left


I'm surviving to be a better man
I am surviving to improve myself


I'm surviving, that's my plan
My plan is just to survive


I'm surviving, surviving
I am just surviving


Surviving
Only surviving




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVIES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

sbarr10

This entire album is amazing.

joseph lemko

I love this song from the"Phoebia" slbum. In fact the entire album is great.

HomePersonalSecurity

the best singer in rock, .. period.

Alan Hartley

If you say so!

NotOrdinaryInGames

Have you heard Colin Lowing?