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)

Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight
The Kinks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well I wonder where my baby is tonight
I wonder where my baby is tonight
I wonder where my baby's gone
Hope she'll do no wrong
Lookin' for my baby, she's not around
I wonder where my baby is tonight

I wonder what on earth's my baby's doin'

If she's not at home there's trouble brewin'
If she really loves me she'll believe in what I say
Tryin' hard to find out where my baby is tonight
If she's not at home I'd better go

Well I only know I want to see my baby
Went to call for her but she is gone right out of sight
Looking for my baby
She's not around
I wonder where my baby is tonight

Well I wonder where my baby is tonight
I wonder where my baby is tonight
I wonder where my baby's gone
Hope she'll do no wrong
Lookin' for my baby, she's not around
I wonder where my baby is tonight

I hope that everything's gonna be all right
Well I wonder where my baby is tonight

Overall Meaning

The Kinks's song Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight is a classic rock 'n' roll track that explores the anxiety of not knowing where your partner is at night. The verses describe the singer's unease and confusion as he wonders where his baby has gone and what she might be doing. He hopes that she's not getting into any trouble and that everything will be alright. The chorus reinforces this sense of uncertainty and longing, as the singer repeats the title phrase and admits that he only wants to see his baby.

The lyrics of the song capture the fear and insecurity of modern relationships, where partners can disappear without a trace or be unfaithful. The singer's desperation to find his baby is palpable, and the song's catchy melody and upbeat rhythm belie the darker themes at play. The Kinks avoid being too melodramatic or heavy-handed, however, by infusing the song with their trademark sense of humor and irreverence. The result is a classic rock tune that captures the essence of young love and heartbreak.

Overall, Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight is a memorable song that showcases The Kinks's songwriting and musicianship. Its lyrics and melody have endured for decades, resonating with generations of music lovers and providing a timeless snapshot of the joys and struggles of romance.

Line by Line Meaning

Well I wonder where my baby is tonight
The singer is curious about the whereabouts of their significant other.

I wonder where my baby is tonight
The first line is repeated to emphasize the singer's concern.

I wonder where my baby's gone
The singer has noticed their significant other's absence and is wondering where they went.

Hope she'll do no wrong
The singer hopes that their significant other is not doing anything that could potentially harm their relationship.

Lookin' for my baby, she's not around
The singer is actively searching for their significant other but has been unsuccessful thus far.

I wonder where my baby is tonight
The singer reiterates their curiosity and concern about the whereabouts of their significant other.

I wonder what on earth's my baby's doin'
The singer is curious and worried about what their significant other is doing if they are not at home.

If she's not at home there's trouble brewin'
The singer is afraid that something bad might happen if their significant other is not at home.

If she really loves me she'll believe in what I say
The singer is hoping that their significant other trusts them and their judgments.

Tryin' hard to find out where my baby is tonight
The singer is putting in a lot of effort to locate their significant other.

If she's not at home I'd better go
The singer is considering leaving their own home to look for their significant other elsewhere.

Well I only know I want to see my baby
The singer is expressing their strong desire to be reunited with their significant other.

Went to call for her but she is gone right out of sight
The singer has attempted to contact their significant other but has failed because they are nowhere to be seen.

Looking for my baby
The singer continues to search for their significant other.

She's not around
The singer confirms once again that their significant other is missing.

I wonder where my baby is tonight
The singer repeats the opening lines to emphasize their ongoing worry.

I hope that everything's gonna be all right
The singer expresses their hope that everything between them and their significant other will turn out well.

Well I wonder where my baby is tonight
The song concludes with the singer reiterating their concern about the whereabouts of their significant other.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd
Written by: DAVIES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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