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)
This Is Where I Belong
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The whole wide world doesn't mean so much to me
For this is where I belong
This is where I belong
Tell me now if you want me to stay
It don't matter, 'cause I'd stay here anyway
For this is where I belong
Well, I ain't gonna wander
Like the boy I used to know
He's a real unluckily fella
And he's got no place to go
I won't search for a house upon a hill
Why should I when I'd only miss you still
For this is where I belong
This is where I belong
This is where I belong
The Kinks's song "This Is Where I Belong" is a delightful, catchy tune that celebrates the idea of belonging to a particular place. The song speaks of a sense of happiness and contentment that comes from being in a familiar place that feels like home. The singer can't think of any other place where he'd rather be, and the whole world doesn't mean that much to him since he's found this special place. He has a sense of peace and contentment that comes from being in this particular spot.
The song's lyrics suggest that the singer has found a sense of belonging that is more important than anything else in his life. He's found a place where he can be himself and be happy, and he doesn't want to leave. Even if there were reasons for him to leave, he would stay anyway since he's found his place in the world. The song speaks to the idea that we all have a special place where we can find happiness and a sense of belonging, and that once we find it, we should hold onto it tightly.
The last verse of the song speaks of a person who is stuck in a life of wandering, looking for something that he can't find. The singer, on the other hand, has found his place in the world and isn't going to go out looking for more. He's content to stay where he is and enjoy the sense of belonging that he's found. The song expresses a sense of joy and acceptance that comes from knowing where you belong and being happy to stay there.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't think of a place I'd rather be
There is no other place in the world where I would rather be.
The whole wide world doesn't mean so much to me
Even though there are many other places in the world, they all pale in comparison to this place.
For this is where I belong
This place is where I feel like I truly belong and where I am happiest.
This is where I belong
Repeating this phrase emphasizes how strongly I feel about this place being my true home.
Tell me now if you want me to stay
I am willing to stay here if you want me to, but it doesn't really matter because I am happy here regardless.
It don't matter, 'cause I'd stay here anyway
Whether or not you want me to stay, I would still choose to stay here because this is where I am most comfortable.
Well, I ain't gonna wander
I have no desire to travel or leave this place because it is where I am content.
Like the boy I used to know
I have seen others who constantly travel and try to find a place to belong, but I am not like them.
He's a real unluckily fella
The boy I knew who couldn't find a place to belong was unlucky in that he never found the happiness I have found here.
And he's got no place to go
The boy I knew had no true home or sense of belonging, unlike me.
I won't search for a house upon a hill
I have no desire to seek out grandeur or luxury in a home because I am already fulfilled in this place.
Why should I when I'd only miss you still
Even if I had a fancy home, it wouldn't truly feel like home without the people I care about here.
For this is where I belong
Reiterating that this place is where I am happiest and where I feel like I fit in best.
This is where I belong
Repeating this phrase a second time drives home the point that there truly is no other place where I belong more than here.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RAYMOND DOUGLAS DAVIES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NLKINK
The Kinks did have great B-sides. In The Netherlands Mr. Pleasant reached #3 in the Dutch Top 40 in May 1967. It was just a B-Side in the UK. And.......Mr. Pleasant had a great B-Side: This Is Where I Belong!
@jeff196330
Ray identified this and "Better Things" as his favorite songs on NPR as his favorite
@matthewstetson711
One of their most underrated songs and a most eloquent endorsement for not straying too far from home. Of course the transition into Waterloo Sunset is almost as good as End Of The Season going into Waterloo sunset for different reasons..
@rickweber7734
I really like Mick's drumming in this song..and also Ray's howling..
@calvinguile1315
Face to Face is definitely a top 3 album of ‘66
@paulalderson3755
This is one of the best Kinks albums (they are all good mind)
@3rdUncleBob
It's not from the Face to Face album proper but a bonus track on the 2011 Deluxe CD and also on the previously horribly remastered 1998 ESM CD 479. Originally the B-side of "Mr. Pleasant" being recorded May 1966 at Pye Studios during the Face to Face sessions.
@bzfgt1
Yeah that version was awful sounding. Classic song, as good or better than anything on FTF (which is a good album).
@astromavri
Mr. Pleasant and This is Where I Belong, What a flawless single record!!!!
@josephlemko3027
Bob McIntyre: Thanks you for correcting my error.👍