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)

Till Death Us Do Part
The Kinks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What can I do?
How can I show you,
And let you see,
That I am someone,
That you want me to be.

I'm only me,
Not someone better,

Not someone good.
I'd be a soldier,
That's if I only could.

If I were king,
I'd tell my army,
To change the world.
Then I'd be someone,
Like you want me to be.

In my little life,
I know that the world must keep on turning,
Even though it leaves me far behind.
Life is like a school,
But I'm not prepared to keep on learning,
Even though it treats me like a fool.

This is our lot,
To live together,
Not live apart.
Let's stay together,
Until death us do part.

Not just a day,
But till forever,
Just as the stars,

Just as the ending,
Until death us do part.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Kinks’ “Til Death Do Us Part” tell a story of a person’s struggle to please their partner and live up to their expectations. The singer is desperately seeking validation from their significant other, asking “what can I do?” and expressing their desire to be someone their partner wants them to be. They acknowledge that they are not perfect and not “someone better, not someone good,” but are willing to become a soldier to change the world if they could. The singer also reflects on their own shortcomings, admitting that they are not prepared to keep learning, even if life treats them like a fool.

Throughout the song, the singer stresses the importance of being together until death do them apart. They recognize that life can be challenging and that they might sometimes feel left behind, but they refuse to give up on their relationship. They hope to remain by their partner’s side and live their lives together, just as the stars’ endings unite them until the day they die.

The overall message of the song is about the power of true love that can transcend all obstacles and help us overcome the challenges we face in life. It highlights the importance of being true to oneself and accepting our own imperfections while striving to be the best version of ourselves at the same time. It is a melancholic but hopeful song that reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles and that even in the face of adversity, love can help us get through.

Till Death Us Do PartThe Kinks Lyrics

David Chedgey

on Do It Again

Till Death Us Do Part
The Kinks Lyrics