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)
Things Are Getting Better
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(things getting better.)
Well my baby's coming back home to stay
(things getting better.)
Well she's coming back home, but i haven't got a dime
(things getting better.)
But i've got my love to keep me fine[?].
(things getting better.)
Oh-oh
Things getting better.
Things getting better.
Well since my baby's been away,
(things getting better.)
Well things got worse from day to day.
(things getting better.)
Well now my baby's come back to me.
(things getting better.)
Yeah, it'll get better, wait and see.
(things getting better.)
Oh-oh
Things getting better.
Things getting better.
Oh-oh
Things getting better.
Things getting better.
Well i pawned my watch and i sold my car.
(things getting better.)
The money i've got wouldn't get me far.
(things getting better.)
But i don't mind now that you've packed.
(things getting better.)
It's a fact, that
Things getting better.
Things getting better.
Oh-oh
Things getting better.
Things getting better.
In the song "Things Are Getting Better" by The Kinks, the singer describes a period of hardship and struggle, but also expresses hope for the future. The first verse suggests that the singer has been working but has not received any pay, and is feeling financially insecure. However, there is a positive note in the fact that his girlfriend is coming back home to stay, which suggests the possibility of emotional support and stability. This idea is reinforced by the refrain "Things getting better," which seems to offer a hopeful outlook despite the difficulties.
The second verse expands on the theme of hardship, with the singer acknowledging that things have been getting worse since his girlfriend has been away. However, her return is again presented as a source of potential improvement. The final verse describes the singer's willingness to sell his possessions in order to survive, but again underscores that he is willing to do so because his girlfriend is back in his life. The song concludes with a repetition of the refrain "Things getting better," which suggests that the singer is confident that the future will be brighter.
Overall, "Things Are Getting Better" by The Kinks is a song that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It acknowledges the struggles that we all face at times, but also emphasizes the importance of hope and positivity in overcoming difficult circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Well i worked for a week and i got no pay.
Despite working for a week, I received no salary.
Well my baby's coming back home to stay
My lover is returning to live with me permanently.
Well she's coming back home, but i haven't got a dime
Although my lover is returning, I am currently broke.
But i've got my love to keep me fine[?].
Even though I am broke, I have love to keep me fulfilled.
Well since my baby's been away,
Since my lover was gone,
Well things got worse from day to day.
Things have been progressively getting worse everyday.
Well now my baby's come back to me.
Now that my lover is back,
Yeah, it'll get better, wait and see.
Things are set to improve in the upcoming time.
Well i pawned my watch and i sold my car.
I sold my car and pawned my watch.
The money i've got wouldn't get me far.
Even though I have some money, it's not enough for much.
But i don't mind now that you've packed.
I am not bothered now that you are back.
It's a fact, that
Things getting better.
Indeed, things are improving.
Oh-oh
Things getting better.
Things are getting better.
Oh-oh
Things getting better.
Things are getting better.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Chedgey
on Do It Again
Great song but also a memorable music video. Why is it unavailable?