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)

This Strange Effect
The Kinks Lyrics

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You've got this strange effect on me,
And I like it.
You've got this strange effect on me,
And I like it.

You make my world seem right,
You make my darkness bright, oh yes.
You've got this strange effect on me,

And I like it.
And I like it.

And I like the way you kiss me,
Don't know if I should.
But this feeling is love, and I know it,
That's why I feel good.

You've got this strange effect on me, And I like it.
You've got this strange effect on me,
And I like it.

You make my world seem right,
You make my darkness bright, oh yes,
You've got this strange effect on me,
And I like it.

And I like it.
And I like it.

Overall Meaning

The Kinks's "This Strange Effect" is a love song that describes how the singer's love interest has a unique and unusual impact on him. The song starts with the repetition of the line, "You've got this strange effect on me, and I like it," conveying the idea that the singer is experiencing something out of the ordinary. He goes on to explain how this person makes his world seem right, and his darkness bright. The singer is undoubtedly smitten with his love interest and is entirely aware that this person's effect on him might be unusual. However, he is also aware that this is what love feels like and is enjoying it.

In the second half, the singer mentions how he likes the way this person kisses him, although he is not sure if he should. He understands that his feelings for this person are love, and that is precisely what makes him feel great. The singer concludes the song by repeating the lines, "You've got this strange effect on me, and I like it," emphasizing how much he is enjoying this experience.

This Strange EffectThe Kinks Lyrics

David Chedgey

on Do It Again

This Strange Effect
The Kinks Lyrics