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)
Yes Sir No Sir
The Kinks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where do I go Sir
What do I do Sir
What do I say
Yes Sir, no Sir
Where do I go Sir
What do I do Sir
Yes Sir, no Sir
Permission to speak Sir
Permission to breathe Sir
What do I say, how do I behave, what do I say
So you think that you've got an ambition
Top your dreaming and your idle wishing
You're outside and there ain't no admission
To our play
Pack up your ambition in your old kit bag
Soon you be happy with a packet of fags
Chest out stomach in
Do what I say, do what I say
Yes right away
Yes Sir, no Sir
Where do I go Sir
What do I do Sir
What do I say
Yes Sir, no Sir
Permission to speak Sir
Permission to breathe Sir
What do I say, how do I behave, what do I say
Doesn't matter who you are
You're there and there you are
Everything is in it's place
Authority must be maintained
And then we know exactly where we are
Let them feel that they're important to the cause
But let them know that they are fighting for their homes
Just be sure that they're contributing their all
Give the scum a gun and make the bugger fight
And be sure to have deserters shot on sight
If he dies we'll send a medal to his wife
Yes Sir, no Sir
Please let me die Sir
I think this life is affecting my brain
Yes Sir, no Sir
Three bag full Sir
What do I do Sir, what do I say
What do I say, how do I behave, what do I say
The Kinks's song "Yes Sir No Sir" is a satirical take on military regimentation and the glorification of war. The lyrics are written in the voice of a soldier who has been stripped of his free will and personal ambitions by his commanding officer, who demands complete obedience and subservience. The chorus of "Yes Sir, no Sir" speaks to the idea that the soldier doesn't have a say in anything and must follow orders without question. The soldier repeatedly asks for permission to do the most basic things such as speaking or breathing, highlighting the dehumanizing aspects of military culture.
The second verse of the song particularly talks about how authority must be maintained and how everyone has their place, no matter who you are. The line "let them feel that they're important to the cause" reveals how soldiers are often made to feel like they're fighting for something significant, even if they might not fully understand why. Meanwhile, those in power exploit soldiers' sense of duty and loyalty for their own interests. The song's ultimate message is that war is pointless, and soldiers are pawns in a larger power struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes Sir, no Sir
Acknowledging authority and showing obedience
Where do I go Sir
Asking for direction and guidance
What do I do Sir
Requesting instructions and tasks to be performed
What do I say
Inquiring about appropriate behavior and speech
Permission to speak Sir
Formal request to express oneself
Permission to breathe Sir
Exaggerating the strict control imposed by authority
How do I behave
Asking for guidance on correct behavior
So you think that you've got an ambition
Challenging the listener's idea of personal goals
Top your dreaming and your idle wishing
Discouraging unrealistic aspirations
You're outside and there ain't no admission to our play
Excluding those who don't follow the rules and expectations set by authority
Pack up your ambition in your old kit bag
Suggesting to abandon personal aspirations and follow orders
Soon you be happy with a packet of fags
Sarcastically implying that obedience and lack of ambition bring satisfaction
Chest out stomach in
Commanding physical posture to show respect and discipline
Do what I say, do what I say
Emphasizing obedience and lack of initiative
Yes right away
Showing immediate compliance
Doesn't matter who you are
Implying that individuality is not important
You're there and there you are
Stating the obvious and ignoring personality
Everything is in it's place
Emphasizing the importance of structure and order
Authority must be maintained
Stating the need for strict control and obedience
And then we know exactly where we are
Suggesting that clarity comes from hierarchy and rules
Let them feel that they're important to the cause
Motivating followers by giving a sense of purpose
But let them know that they are fighting for their homes
Justifying the war in patriotic terms
Just be sure that they're contributing their all
Demanding full commitment and sacrifice
Give the scum a gun and make the bugger fight
Disrespectful and dehumanizing way of referring to soldiers
And be sure to have deserters shot on sight
Threatening those who question or disobey orders
If he dies we'll send a medal to his wife
Ironically implying that even sacrifice is not appreciated or valued
Please let me die Sir
Exaggerating the desperation and pain caused by strict control
I think this life is affecting my brain
Suggesting that strict obedience has negative mental consequences
Three bags full Sir
Quoting from the nursery rhyme 'Baa, Baa, Black Sheep' to imply meaningless requests
What do I do Sir, what do I say
Repeating the same doubts and fears about correct behavior
What do I say, how do I behave, what do I say
Repetition of the same questions, showing the character's anxiety and lack of control
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RAYMOND DOUGLAS DAVIES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nataliacarolina97
Yes Sir, no Sir
Where do I go Sir
What do I do Sir
What do I say
Yes Sir, no Sir
Where do I go Sir
What do I do Sir
How do I behave
Yes Sir, no Sir
Permission to speak Sir
Permission to breathe Sir
What do I say, how do I behave, what do I say
So you think that you've got ambition
Stop your dreaming and your idle wishing
You're outside and there ain't no admission
To our play
Pack up your ambition in your old kit bag
Soon you'll be happy with a packet of fags
Chest out stomach in
Do what I say, do what I say
Yes right away
Yes Sir, no Sir
Where do I go Sir
What do I do Sir
What do I say
Yes Sir, no Sir
Permission to speak Sir
Permission to breathe Sir
What do I say, how do I behave, what do I say
Doesn't matter who you are
You're there and there you are
Everything Is in its place
Authority must be maintained
And then we know exactly where we are
Let them feel that they're important to the cause
But let them know that they are fighting for their homes
Just be sure that they're contributing their all
Give the scum a gun and make the bugger fight
And be sure to have deserters shot on sight
If he dies we'll send a medal to his wife
Yes Sir, no Sir
Please let me die Sir
I think this life is affecting my brain
Yes Sir, no Sir
Three bags full Sir
What do I do Sir, what do I say
What do I say, how do I behave, what do I say
@dubjohn26
Heard this album only for the first time recently... I nearly fell off the tram seat in amazement at this stunning work. Discovering the Kinks, what a gift.
@brubeck1
Supertram?
@raulmacias1311
Another classic from the ever prolific Raymond Douglas Davies!!! I love the Drumming on this track!!! Mick Avory rarely gets mentioned as a truly great Drummer!!!
@noff27
I love the line "Everything in its place, authority must be maintained for then we know exactly where we are" and "If he dies we'll send a medal to his wife" This is WWI in a nutshell.
@chrisefthymiou8289
Any war the U.k. has been involved after WW2 has been a sham , just look at Iraq if you need a top example. Death and destruction on a monstrous scale , and the liars and perpetrators walk away scot free. Ray Davies was ahead if his time and exposed an Establishment with its war mongering code out 4its own gain and profit , with the blood of the innocents paying the price. Be it civilians and soldiers alike.
@snicky58
It's every war in a nutshell
@reereerobin
WWll . My Mom got the letter & the medal.
@barrycross2585
and every other war before and since, all over the world
@willrfaulk1
I thought it was “memo”
@naturphilosophie1
arthur and village green are both masterpieces