Songs That Changed Music: The Kinks - You Really Got Me

Despite being one of London’s most exciting new bands in 1964, the Kinks were off to a rocky start. After releasing two singles which flopped, Pye Records was threatening to drop the band if their next single wasn’t a hit. At this pivotal moment, the Kinks recorded “You Really Got Me” - saving their careers and creating their most iconic track. More than that, the song’s revolutionary sound and attitude would forever change the course of rock history

The band’s first single, a cover of Little Richard’s Long Tall Sally, channeled those early rock ‘n roll roots, but its release attracted very little attention. Their second single “You Still Want Me” similarly struggled, never even charting. At this point, Pye was threatening to annul their contract if things didn’t turn around, placing immense pressure on the band’s next single.

The Kinks were in need of a hit, and they found it when Ray Davies came in with a new song he had just written - “You Really Got Me.” He had written the song at the piano in his parents’ home while the rest of his family was sitting down to dinner.

In addition to the guitar’s phenomenal energy, the drums also drive the song’s excitement. However, while the band had already met drummer Mick Avory by this time, his role in the band was not yet formalized. Thus, he did not play on “You Really Got Me” Instead, Talmy brought in seasoned studio drummer Bobby Graham.

The song was released on August 4, 1964 and immediately began to climb the charts. It hit number 1 in the UK and was successful internationally, including hitting number 7 in the US Singles Charts. More than that, the song was incredibly influential on the entire rock music landscape. Musicians and fans were drawn to the Kinks’ aggressive, distorted sound. Pete Townshend of The Who even composed their first single, “I Can’t Explain” inspired by “You Really Got Me”. The band has been credited for pioneering the harder rock, power-chord sound that would dominate rock music for decades afterwards.

In 1999, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2005, Q magazine named it number nine on their list of 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks. Rolling Stone listed it number 82 on their list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and number 4 on their 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time. It is without a doubt, one of rock music’s most influential and foundational tracks - having inspired generations of musicians to rock louder, harder and faster.

Written by Caitlin Vaughn Carlos 

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[Producelikeapro]

What do you think of The Kinks 'You Really Got Me'? Comment below other songs that you think changed music!

[billalbritton]

If you weren’t alive in 64, you can’t imagine the impact those chords blasting out of a car speaker tuned to AM radio. Mind blowing, music was never the same after that.

[ComicPower]

Every punk, garage and grunge band owe the Kinks a debt of Gratitude

[barryphillips]

I vividly recall this song on our radiogram when it was released. I turned it up and my father marched into the living room and bawled "what the hell is that rubbish"!!!?
6s and 8d in my hand, straight off to buy it. There was nothing like it at the time.
God Save The Kinks!!!

[antennawilde]

The solo was raw, barely-controlled chaos. One of the best solos in rock history.

[jimmyjam]

The Kinks are easily one of the best bands of all time! So many great songs!

[dianaazeltine]

Ray and Dave are way under rated, both are genius

[John-mlqf]

My 15 and 16 year old sons think this song is awesome.There must be something in this song that cause the younger generation appreciate it.

[FunkATeer-qkhq]

The immortal Kinks, a ground-breaking band 💜🤘🏾

[walterfechter]

"You Really Got Me, " "All Day and All of The Night, " and "Til The End of The Day" -- those 3 tunes still click and throw sparks!

[jchow]

One of the best rock n roll songs ever!

[phuzbrain]

Played this song a thousand times in a live band...always an audience favorite. Killer lead guitar.

[waltavoc]

Thanks PLAP. I'm now 70 and as an Aussie that lived in London between 1964 - 68, the second Kinks album (with the red cover) was the first I ever bought. It was a major influence on me although All Day and all of the Night was the song that did it for me. The best memories. Many thanks.

[stevefowler]

In those days, there tended to be 2 camps.
You either liked the Beatles, or you liked the Stones.
But EVERYBODY liked the Kinks.

[Rjhs]

Still sounds edgy and dangerous all these years later. Thanks Warren.

[russellcampbell]

Its a master-stroke that the guitar repeats the killer catchphrase "You really got me". The older you get, the more you appreciate it.

[tonykehoe]

Only recently discovered the true depth of The kinks catalogue and two weeks ago, quite by accident, bumped into Dave and shared a coffee and recited my poetry for him …..

[markhamer]

Dave is a woefully underrated riffmeister.

[johnqpublic]

This was one of the first song I was allowed to hear that wasn’t gospel as a child. I’ve always gotten chills when I hear that riff.

[petergeyer]

I grew up on punk, but I always felt at home listening to The Kinks.