| "Misfits" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 American E.P. | ||||
| Single by The Kinks | ||||
| from the album Misfits | ||||
| A-side | "Black Messiah" | |||
| Released | May 19, 1978 | |||
| Recorded | July 1977 –January 1978 at Konk Studios, London | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 4:41 | |||
| Label | Arista 210 | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Ray Davies | |||
| Producer(s) | Ray Davies | |||
| The Kinks singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Misfits" is the title track for The Kinks' 1978 album, Misfits . It was written by Ray Davies.
The lyrics of "Misfits" detail the many so-called "losers" and "failures" who are "lost without a crowd yet [they] go [their] own way." It goes on to say that "You're a misfit, afraid of yourself, so you run away and hide" and that "you've been a misfit all your life." The lyrics, however, embrace these misfits, with lyrics such as "misfits are everywhere" and "why don't you join the crowd and come inside." "Yes it's true what they say, every dog has his day," Davies sings, suggesting that these misfits will have their time.
Ray Davies said of the song's appeal, "I was trying not to be a hit machine - and we've certainly achieved that with a few albums. But we wanted to expand and find a new fan-base - and hopefully, we'd still be excited by the music. Things like "Misfits" and "A Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy" a bit later were attempts to do both; music we got a kick out of, and also improve the fan-base." [1]
"Misfits" was first released on the album of the same name on May 19, 1978. Although it was not released as a single, it was used as the B-side to the Black Messiah single. It also served as the title track of an EP named "The Kinks Misfit Record".
"Misfits" has been often praised as one of the best songs on the album of the same name. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic called the track "a classic outsider rallying cry" and labelled it as one of the two "touchstones" of the album. [2] Rolling Stone's Ken Emerson said that "Misfits" is "a fitting introduction to the Kinks' most intimate album". [3]
"The Kinks Misfit Record" was the first American Kinks EP created, despite the unpopularity of EPs in the U.S. The EP features "Misfits" as well as "A Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy", "Black Messiah", and "Permanent Waves" (all from Misfits ). Although "A Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy" was released as a single in the United States, the other three tracks made their non-album debut in America on the EP.
All tracks written by Ray Davies.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "A Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy" | 4:58 |
| 2. | "Black Messiah" | 3:24 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 3. | "Misfits" | 4:19 |
| 4. | "Permanent Waves" | 3:37 |
Something Else by the Kinks, often referred to simply as Something Else, is the fifth UK studio album by the Kinks, released in September 1967. It marks the final involvement of American producer Shel Talmy in the Kinks' 1960s studio recordings; henceforth Ray Davies would produce recordings. Many of the recordings feature the keyboard work of Nicky Hopkins and the backing vocals of Davies's wife, Rasa. Two hit singles are included: "Waterloo Sunset" and "Death of a Clown". The album was ranked No. 288 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. It was voted number 237 in Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums 3rd Edition (2000).
The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society is the sixth studio album by the English rock group the Kinks, released in November 1968. It was the last album by the original quartet, as bassist Quaife left the group in early 1969. A collection of vignettes of English life, Village Green was assembled from songs written and recorded over the previous two years.
Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One, commonly abbreviated to Lola Versus Powerman, is the eighth studio album by British rock band the Kinks, recorded and released in 1970. A concept album, it is a satirical appraisal of the music industry, including song publishers, unions, the press, accountants, business managers, and life on the road. Musically Lola Versus Powerman is varied, described by Stephen Thomas Erlewine as "a wildly unfocused but nonetheless dazzling tour de force", containing some of Ray Davies' strongest songs.
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 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. 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. Their music was influenced by a wide range of genres, including American R&B and rock and roll initially, and later adopting British music hall, folk, and country. They gained a reputation for reflecting English culture and lifestyle, fuelled by Ray Davies' wittily observational writing style.
Come Dancing with The Kinks: The Best of 1977-1986 is a double album compilation by the Kinks, released on Arista Records in 1986. It contains thirteen tracks released as singles, only one of which did not also appear on album, and six album tracks. Every one of the band's seven albums released by Arista during the time period indicated is represented here. Designed specifically for the American market, it peaked at No. 159 on the Billboard 200 and failed to chart in the United Kingdom. A version for compact disc was issued in 2000 by Koch Records. Liner notes are by John Swenson, and the original recordings were produced by Ray Davies.
Low Budget is the eighteenth studio album by the English rock group the Kinks, released in 1979. Following the minor success of their 1978 album Misfits, the band recorded the majority of the album in New York rather than London. Unlike the more nostalgic themes of many Kinks albums prior to Low Budget, the album contains many songs that appeal to current events of the time. Musically, the album is a continuation of the band's "arena rock" phase, resulting in a more rock-based sound and more modern production techniques.
Misfits is the seventeenth studio album by the English rock band the Kinks. The album was released in 1978. Following the minor success of Sleepwalker in the United States, Misfits featured a more rock-oriented style than many other Kinks records of the 1970s. Despite internal conflicts within the band, leading to both bassist Andy Pyle and pianist John Gosling quitting the band, the album made the Top 40 in America. The album also contained the minor hit single "A Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy", as well as less successful releases "Live Life" and "Black Messiah".
State of Confusion is the twentieth studio album by the English rock group, the Kinks, released in 1983. The record features the single "Come Dancing", which hit #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was one of the band's biggest hit singles in the United States, equaling the 1965 peak of "Tired of Waiting for You". The album itself was a major success, peaking at #12 on the Billboard album charts.
Sleepwalker is the sixteenth studio album by the English rock group, the Kinks, released in 1977. It marked a return to straight-ahead, self-contained rock songs after several years of concept albums. It is the first album in what critics usually call the "arena rock" phase of the group, in which more commercial and mainstream production techniques would be employed. The album also marks the last appearance of bassist John Dalton, who left the band during the recording sessions. Dalton plays bass on all songs on the album save for "Mr. Big Man". The lineup of the Kinks would be trimmed down significantly in 1977 following the album's release, as the brass section and backup singers were removed and the band returned to a standard rock band outfit.
Schoolboys in Disgrace, or The Kinks Present Schoolboys in Disgrace, is a 1975 concept album by the Kinks. It was considered by critics to be the last album in what they dubbed the group's "theatrical" period, and their final release for RCA Records. The album is rooted in 1950s rock and roll, and also includes elements of doo-wop, hard rock, and arena rock.
"(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman" is a song written by Ray Davies that was first released on the Kinks' 1979 album, Low Budget. The song, inspired by Superman: The Movie, employs a disco beat and lyrics that describe the singer's wish to be like the fictional character Superman. The song's disco style was created as a response to Arista Records founder Clive Davis's request for "a club-friendly record," despite Ray Davies' hatred of disco.
Do It Again is a song by British rock band the Kinks. Written by lead singer Ray Davies, the song was released as the first track on The Kinks's album, Word of Mouth. Written as an observation on stressful working schedules, the song features an opening guitar chord and echoed vocals.
"A Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy" is the lead single and fourth track from The Kinks' 1978 album Misfits. Written by Ray Davies, the song was inspired by the band's then-tumultuous state at the time, with two members leaving the band during the recording of Misfits. Released as the first single from the album, the track was the band's most successful single in years, reaching number 30.
"Black Messiah" is the third track from The Kinks' 1978 album Misfits. It was written by Ray Davies.
"Live Life" is a track from The Kinks' 1978 album, Misfits. The track was written by The Kinks' primary songwriter, Ray Davies.
"Lost and Found" is the second track from Think Visual, a 1986 album by The Kinks. It was written by The Kinks' primary songwriter, Ray Davies.
"Last of the Steam-Powered Trains" is a song by the English rock band the Kinks. It first appeared on their 1968 album The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society. It was written by the Kinks' principal songwriter, Ray Davies.
"You Can't Stop the Music" is a song by the British rock band The Kinks. The song, appearing on the band's 1975 album Soap Opera, was written by the band's principal songwriter, Ray Davies.
"Rock 'n' Roll Cities" is a song by the British rock group, the Kinks. The song appeared on the band's 1986 album, Think Visual, and, unlike most other Kinks songs, it was written by Dave Davies rather than his brother, Ray.
"Attitude" is a song by the British rock band The Kinks, released on their album, Low Budget. It was written by Ray Davies.