The Kinks - Plastic Man (1969)

The Kinks are an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, in 1964 by brothers Ray and Dave Davies. They are regarded as one of the most important and influential rock bands of the 1960s. The band emerged during the height of British rhythm and blues and Merseybeat, and were briefly part of the British Invasion of the United States until their touring ban in 1965 (as a result of constant fighting between the brothers). Their third single, the Ray Davies-penned "You Really Got Me", became an international hit, topping the charts in the United Kingdom and reaching the Top 10 in the United States.[4] Their music was influenced by a wide range of genres, including rhythm and blues, British music hall, folk and country. They gained a reputation for reflecting English culture and lifestyle, fuelled by Ray Davies' observational writing style, and are considered one of the most influential groups of the period.

Early works included albums such as Face to Face (1966), Something Else (1967), The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society (1968), Arthur (1969), Lola Versus Powerman (1970), Muswell Hillbillies (1971), along with their accompanying singles. After a fallow period in the mid-1970s, the band experienced a revival during the late 1970s and early 1980s with their albums Sleepwalker (1977), Misfits (1978), Low Budget (1979), Give the People What They Want (1981) and State of Confusion (1983). In addition, groups such as Van Halen, the Jam, the Knack, the Pretenders and the Fall covered their songs, helping to boost the Kinks' record sales. In the 1990s, Britpop acts such as Blur and Oasis cited the band as a major influence.

[fredyanner]

Only Ray Davies could write the Plastic Man lyrics. This song always puts a smile on my face! The one and only Kinks!!

[soyhan]

Legends!! This song truly describes our societies at present!!

[stevehughes]

Ray wrote songs that reflected society and events, happenings, such a great cross section of melodic thoughtful driving tunes, just great.

[steverichards]

i love the kinks a truly top class band

[MrShakedown]

So good! I still get goose bumps when I hear this tune!! Kinks were clever buggers!!

[jessesands]

A Beauty Of A Song By The Kinks!🧑🎤🎸🎚🎛🎼🎼🎼🎵🎶🇬🇧

[jeffrywargo]

pure genius that's the only way to describe Ray Davies song writing. without questionable doubt!!!!

[MrSirDrew]

Lyrics
A man lives at the corner of the street
And his neighbors think he's helpful and he's sweet
'Cause he never swears and he always shakes you by the hand
But no one knows he really is a plastic man
(Plastic man, plastic man)

He's got plastic heart, plastic teeth and toes
(Yeah, he's plastic man)
He's got plastic knees and a perfect plastic nose
(Yeah, he's plastic man)
He's got plastic lips that hide his plastic teeth and gums
And plastic legs that reach up to his plastic bum
(Plastic bum, plastic bum )

Plastic man got no brain
Plastic man don't feel no pain
Plastic people look the same
Yeah, yeah, yeah

Kick his shin or tread on his face
Pull his nose all over the place
He can't disfigure, or disgrace
Plastic man
(Plastic man, plastic man)

He's got plastic flowers growing up the walls
(Yeah, he eats plastic food)
He eats plastic food with a plastic knife and fork
(Yeah, he's plastic man)
He likes plastic cups and saucers 'cause they never break
And he likes to lick his gravy off a plastic plate

Plastic man got no brain
Plastic man don't feel no pain
Plastic people look the same
Yeah, yeah, yeah

Kick his shin or tread on his face
Pull his nose all over the place
He can't disfigure, or disgrace
Plastic man
(Plastic man, plastic man)

He's got a plastic wife who wears a plastic mac
(Yeah, he's plastic man)
And his children wanna be plastic like their dad
(Yeah, he's plastic man)
He's got a phony smile that makes you think he understands
But no one ever gets the truth from plastic man
(Plastic man, plastic man)

Plastic man
(Plastic man, plastic man)

[catsofsherman]

Kinks rule! Another classic video from Beat Club.

[havingagrtime]

This has always been one of my Kinks favorites. So clever!

[dyeeb]

Even with their guitars unplugged and their amps turned off The Kinks still sound fantastic.

[DexterFrobisher]

Plastic fantastic. Of their time but also way ahead.

[starrynight.]

Bless Nobby for filling in Pete's place lol and despite what many say, this song freaken slaps 😅❤

[tmech]

Never heard this song before! Came here after reading a posting on plastic beeing found in human tissue! Veins! Lungs! Etc.! This song was mentioned at the end of that article!

[transleytan]

Ray Davies and the Kinks, creative geniuses, forerunners of dystopia, among other things

[lucyfoster]

I love the face Ray makes when there are beats without lyrics. He does this same face on Picture Book.

[MrKaywyn]

Possibly my favourite Kinks' song.

[ernst]

When the Kinks sang Plastic Man I had a girlfriend called "Corinna" not Corona! She was the prettiest girl in the world to me, not a disease.

[Louisejames]

I once had a plastic bum. Love this song ❤️😬

[pjmoseley]

I know of people who fit the words to this song so well and they are in all generations and all classes of people would love to see some first reactions to this one.