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)
Tin Soldier Man
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a wife and little kids to support
So immaculately dressed when he walks
Like a soldier on parade
He's a tin soldier man
Living in a little tin wonderland
Very happy little tin soldier man
When you set him on your knee
Changing guards at the high road
He's a tin soldier man
Wickie wa-waddle doo[?]
And he's got a little tin lady too
Just to put a little shine on his shoes
And keep his uniform tidy
He's a tin soldier man
Wickie wa-waddle doo[?]
And he's got a little tin lady too
Just to put a little shine on his shoes
And make his uniform tidy
He's a tin soldier man
Living in a little tin wonderland
Very happy little tin soldier man
When you sit him on your knee
He's a tin soldier man
He's a tin soldier man
The lyrics to "Tin Soldier Man" by The Kinks tell the story of a man who seems to be leading an ordinary, suburban life. He is described as a "quiet city sport" who has a wife and children to support. However, he is also depicted as being "immaculately dressed" and walking like "a soldier on parade", suggesting that there is something regimented or possibly even oppressive about his life. The repetition of the phrase "tin soldier man" emphasizes this sense of him being a mechanical or artificial figure, rather than a real human being.
The second half of the song focuses on the man's possessions, which are all made of tin. He has a "little tin wonderland" and a "tin lady" to help him keep his uniform tidy. The army that he marches down the street is also made of tin. The emphasis on these tin toys and figurines further reinforces the idea that the man is living a hollow, artificial life.
Overall, the lyrics to "Tin Soldier Man" can be interpreted as a critique of conformity and suburban life. The man seems to be trapped in a rigid societal role and is unable to express himself creatively or authentically. The toys and tin soldiers represent a kind of escapism, but also highlight the artificiality and emptiness of the man's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a quiet city sport[?]
This man lives a simple life in the city, with nothing particularly noteworthy about him.
With a wife and little kids to support
He has a family that depends on him to provide for them.
So immaculately dressed when he walks
He takes great care in his appearance, presenting himself in the best possible way.
Like a soldier on parade
His posture and demeanor are reminiscent of a disciplined soldier on display.
He's a tin soldier man
Metaphorically, he is a toy soldier, living his life in a rigid, predetermined manner.
Living in a little tin wonderland
He is content with his simple life, finding joy in the mundanity of it all.
Very happy little tin soldier man
He genuinely enjoys his life and finds happiness in the things he has.
When you set him on your knee
He is a figurine meant to be played with and admired, like a collectible toy.
Every day you see his army march down the street
He has a routine that he follows, with his metaphorical 'army' executing their daily tasks in a highly regimented fashion.
Changing guards at the high road
He switches up his routine occasionally, as if going through the motions of changing guards at a military post.
Wickie wa-waddle doo[?]
This nonsensical phrase represents the repetitive, monotonous nature of his daily routine.
And he's got a little tin lady too
He has a partner who shares his simple tastes and values.
Just to put a little shine on his shoes
She helps him maintain his carefully cultivated image, adding a touch of elegance to his appearance.
And keep his uniform tidy
She takes care of the details, ensuring that his appearance is consistently neat and orderly.
He's a tin soldier man
Reiterating the idea that he is a toy soldier, living a predetermined life according to a set of rules and expectations.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RAYMOND DOUGLAS DAVIES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sarah
Lyrics
Just a quiet city sport
With a wife and little kids to support
So immaculately dressed when he walks
Like a soldier on parade
He's a tin soldier man
Living in a little tin wonderland
Very happy little tin soldier man
When you set him on your knee
Every day you see his army march down the street
Changing guards at the high road
He's a tin soldier man
Wickie wack wack oo
And he's got a little tin lady too
Just to put a little shine on his shoes
And keep his uniform tidy
He's a tin soldier man
Wickie wack wack oo
And he's got a little tin lady too
Just to put a little shine on his shoes
And make his uniform tidy
He's a tin soldier man
Living in a little tin wonderland
Very happy little tin soldier man
When you sit him on your knee
He's a tin soldier man
He's a tin soldier man
Sarah
Lyrics
Just a quiet city sport
With a wife and little kids to support
So immaculately dressed when he walks
Like a soldier on parade
He's a tin soldier man
Living in a little tin wonderland
Very happy little tin soldier man
When you set him on your knee
Every day you see his army march down the street
Changing guards at the high road
He's a tin soldier man
Wickie wack wack oo
And he's got a little tin lady too
Just to put a little shine on his shoes
And keep his uniform tidy
He's a tin soldier man
Wickie wack wack oo
And he's got a little tin lady too
Just to put a little shine on his shoes
And make his uniform tidy
He's a tin soldier man
Living in a little tin wonderland
Very happy little tin soldier man
When you sit him on your knee
He's a tin soldier man
He's a tin soldier man
MrGoldenthroat
The absolute gem of all gems by Ray!! Tin Soldier Man is not just a Ray but a burst of sunshine by the lads!!
BodsnVimto
+MrGoldenthroat I was going to leave a comment but I cou;dn't have done better than what you said. Spot on.
Jizreel
estos tipos tienen música genial
Tomi
Estos tíos son los mejores
coastalsierra
Kinks are the best!
MrGoldenthroat
NOT JUST A RAY BUT A BURST OF SUNLIGHT BY RAY AND COMPANY!!!!
CLARK THE SHARK SHOW
Great Album ! ,.. The Kinks along with a few great others , avoided Psychedelia here ,... they made some moves to "update" that Kinks sound ,..and the results were nice,,
Don Buck
The Kinks could on no wrong in those days. Best record of 1967 by far.
ForARide
Well that year you also had The Velvet Underground & Nico, an album I wouldn't want to despise.