You Really Got Me Totally Explained

Everything about You Really Got Me totally explained

"You Really Got Me" is a rock song written by Ray Davies and performed by his band, The Kinks. It was released as the group's third single, in August 1964, and reached Number 1 on the UK singles chart the following month, staying there for two weeks. It was the group's breakthrough hit, and established them as one of the top British Invasion acts in the United States. It was later included on the Kinks' debut album, The Kinks.
"You Really Got Me" was built around parallel 5ths and octaves (power chords), and was heavily influential on later rock and roll musicians, particularly in the heavy metal genre. It is considered to be the prototypical heavy metal and proto-punk song. As critic Denise Sullivan of All Music Guide writes, "'You Really Got Me' remains a blueprint song in the hard rock and heavy metal arsenal."
The song appears at number 82 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. In early 2005, the song was voted the best British song of the 1955-1965 decade in a BBC radio poll. In March 2005, Q magazine placed it at number 9 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.

History

The song was recorded by the Kinks in a number of styles in the summer of 1964 before the final sound was achieved. The group was under tremendous pressure for a hit from their record company Pye, after their two previous single releases failed to chart. Ray Davies in particular was stubbornly persistent in forcing the Kinks' management and record company to take the time and money needed to develop the record's landmark sound and style. Davies' efforts on behalf of the career-making song effectively established him as the leader and chief songwriter of the Kinks.
   The influential distortion sound of the guitar track was created after guitarist Dave Davies sliced the speaker cone of his guitar amplifier with a razor blade and poking it with a pin. At the behest of producer Shel Talmy, session drummer Bobby Graham played drums on the recording, rather than regular Kinks drummer Mick Avory. Graham went on to play the main drum part on all of the Kinks' early recordings. Interestingly, both Jon Lord and Shel Talmy claim Jimmy Page did play on "You Really Got Me". Talmy credits him for the rhythm guitar and Lord for the solo.
   According to Ray Davies, the song's characteristic riff came about while working out the chords of The Kingsmen's "Louie Louie." The Kinks' use of distorted guitar riffs continued with songs like "All Day and All of the Night," "Tired of Waiting for You," and "Set Me Free," among others. Pete Townshend of The Who has stated that their first single, "I Can't Explain," was an intentional soundalike of The Kinks' work at the time (The Who were also produced by Shel Talmy at that time).
   The Kinks would go on to perform successfully together as a band for over 30 years, through many musical styles, and they'd always play "You Really Got Me" in concert. Both Ray and Dave Davies still perform the song in solo shows, generally as a closing number.

Cover versions

"You Really Got Me" has been covered by many artists, with the 1978 version by Van Halen receiving airplay on classic rock radio rivaled only by the original.

13th Floor Elevators, 1966 The 13th Floor Elevators covered the song in 1966.

Dalek I Love You, 1980 Dalek I Love You's version, on their 1979 album Compass Kumpas

Black Ties, 2007 Ankara rock band Black Ties covered "You Really Got Me" in 2007, while, during the absence of their lead guitarist, they'd adopted a new approach as a trio.

Charts

Singles - Billboard (North America)

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1964	"You Really Got Me" by The Kinks	Pop Singles	7
1978	"You Really Got Me" by Van Halen	Pop Singles	36

Further Information

Get more info on 'You Really Got Me'.

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