How Wonderful this music makes me feel😅, being a Child in the 60's was special, I'm glad the 2 of you join in on the fun of it all, 😀 Great reaction 🤣 Peace✌️ and Love your 70 year old forever hippie Gary😊
Another great satire of the upper classes by Ray Davies. There's a clever promo film released at the time, available on RUclips, showing the band lip-synching to the song in the middle of a snowstorm. Wow, those closed captions were ridiculously incorrect, lol! I'm hoping that you'll react to two of their most strikingly beautiful songs, Waterloo Sunset and Oklahoma USA.
Not only you but many of the other You Tube reactors seem to love this music for the same reasons and use the same comparisons to the current music scene. Love you guys - you do a great job.
Great observation about the government/ fat Mama. Knowing how Ray Davies writes lyrics, it fits in with his quirky and satirical sense of humor. For mid period Kinks the albums “ (The Kinks are) the Village Green Preservation Society)” “ Something Else” and later “Lola versus the Powerman and the Money Go Round” and “Muswell Hillbillys” are all excellent recommended listening.
My best friend at school preferred the kinks to my beloved Beatles in the 60s. I couldn't for the life of me work this one out. But, he was really on to something. Some real classics. From Lola, tears of a clown, dedicated follower of fashion to my particular favourite and to my mind the finest pop song of the 60s-Waterloo Sunset. Which id love you both to hear and get your reaction to. It's absolutely brilliant. Such an optimistic feeling good vibe to it. I'm confident you'll adore it.
Saw the Kinks in a college gym in '71 with about 40 other people. Like a private concert. Saw them the next summer with The Beach Boys, Doors & Turtles. Seen Ray and Dave both as solos. "Dead End Street" is one you will love as much as this one.
Yeah, I saw them in a high school gym in McLean VA with about a hundred people. But a year later they came back and were playing much larger venues (I saw them then at The Kennedy Center in DC).
I'm delighted you both got this sound. It was an underrated atmospheric song which was a much more subtle, clever production than it seems. I did not know the tax situation in 1966 as I was only 6 at the time and had not yet been sent to clean chimneys. But even today at 64 in September this year, I feel the same when I hear this as I did as a child. Now that is talent and genius is always simplistic, well for non geniuses like me who over think stuff.
Love this song. One of my all-time favourotes from my childhood in the mid 60s that I remember hearing on the radio. It takes me back to sunny days and summertime of 1966, carefree sitting on the lawn and playing in the garden. Yes, the taxation was high due to recovering post WWII rebuilding the country in the 40s and 50s, and the UKs economy was precarious - something I was blissfully unawarevof as a 3-year old. 😄
LOVE this song! It seemed to come on the radio station at the exact right time; cruising in the car in the summer with my sister driving! She was my idol and hero. She passed away a year and a half ago and I miss her terribly. And she lives with me in songs like this one. I remember singing the “SAVE ME SAVE ME FROM THIS SQUEEZE” loud and proud, windows down, not a care In the world.
Ray, (the lead singer and chief composer) doesn't just write 'songs', but creates a story that so many can identiy with... So many songs to cover in your Journey, hope you get to a number of them. Anything off their live album: "One for the Road" are great. One of my favorites from that one: "Celluloid Heroes", great guitar from brother Dave and a story of movies from yesteryear. Really enjoy your reactions!
My sister and I were in first grade when this song came out and we would sing the lyrics, and we'd giggle when we sang "I got a big fat momma trying to break me." Grew up further listening to much of their music, and still do. By the way, I really enjoy your reactions. You share how you really feel about whatever you're reacting to. Thank you! 🙂💜
Wonderful reaction guys. You can't go wrong with The Kinks. And you are spot on with the 'big fat mama' being the government. The Kinks are rock music's best kept secret. Here's a few more we'll worth checking out: "Waterloo Sunset" "Dead End Street" "Days" "See My Friends" "Shangri-La" "David Watts" "Autumn Almanac" "Celluloid Heroes" "Big Black Smoke" "Picture Book"
England had very high personal taxes in the 60's (don't know about now). The Beatles' song Taxman (written by George Harrison) was about the high taxes.
great reaction. luv you two. great song. HORRIBLE speech to text across the bottom... The tax man's taken all my dough And left me in my stately home Lazin' on a sunny afternoon And I can't sail my yacht He's taken everything I got All I've got's this sunny afternoon Save me, save me, save me from this squeeze I got a big fat mama tryna break me And I love to live so pleasantly Live this life of luxury Lazin' on a sunny afternoon In the summertime In the summertime In the summertime My girlfriend's run off with my car And gone back to her ma and pa Tellin' tales of drunkenness and cruelty Now I'm sittin' here Sippin' at my ice cold beer Lazin' on a sunny afternoon Help me, help me, help me sail away Well, give me two good reasons why I oughta stay 'Cause I love to live so pleasantly Live this life of luxury Lazin' on a sunny afternoon In the summertime In the summertime In the summertime Oh, save me, save me, save me from this squeeze I got a big fat mama tryna break me And I love to live so pleasantly Live this life of luxury Lazin' on a sunny afternoon In the summertime In the summertime In the summertime In the summertime In the summertime
Yes...Taxes were high in GB. "The highest rate of income tax peaked in the Second World War at 99.25%. It was then slightly reduced and was around 90% through the 1950s and 60s. In 1971 the top rate of income tax on earned income was cut to 75%. A surcharge of 15% kept the top rate on investment income at 90%." Google
Completely different from my normal music style but these oldies are always so great! Are there any bands out there today still making this kind of thing?
Hey guys....listen to the KINKS from the late 80's ( '88 ) a great album, so I'll suggest this one.....A Little bit of emotion. A great song by a great band on a great album by the GROWN UP KINKS. Same band....AMAZING....Peace you guys.
Without a doubt most of the big groups of the 60s were skilled musicians, and often self taught. That does not mean there weren't the same sorts in later decades but more recently an ability to husk your way through a song in approxiamte tune is rarely accompanied by musical skils. Even then there are still bands with great skills such as Coldplay and Disturbed.
Ray certainly knew how to write poignant lyrics. Very British, with a cup of tea. I agree, "big fat mama" refers to the Government wanting their money.
During the British Invasion in the 60's, Great Britain had raised their tax rates to 95% for these bands. Many moved out of the country. Here's a headline about it from Quora. "How did the British government at the time justify the 95% tax rate that made tax exiles out of the "British Invasion" music stars?"
Hey you guys....listen to TAXMAN, by the Beatles,,,,written by George Harrison....first song on the 1966 album...Revolver ! The UK was, and still is i think, a country with VERY high taxes. Love you guys, you're the best, Keep listening. Oh, by the way, If you want to give Bob Dylan another listen....try JOKERMAN...Beautiful POETRY right in your FACE. PEACE, LOVE.
Big Fat Mama actually represents the Government not the wife. The flipside of this single was another favorite, I'm Not Like Everybody Else. Please check it out.
Yes, the highest tax rate in the UK in the 60s was 90%. Yes you read that right. The government would take 90% of what the top earners (especially entertainers) earned> George Harrison wrote a song for the Beatles called "Taxman" which tells a similar story.
Yes. He is complaining about government and taxes. But he is also savaging the ultra rich who complain about paying taxes. Ray is the quintessential observer/commenter on soccio-political issues. try "Dead End Street". I bought my first Kinks album in 1965 when I was 13 years old
Yep. The big fat mamma = Bob Dylan's 'Maggie's Farm'. But the song is also a commentary on new policies to tax the rich from the incoming Labour (Left-wing) government in 1964. Heavily satirical - Ray Davies was a lyrical and musical genius.
A little off topic but I know you two really like Credence Clearwater Revival, I just found out they did a concert tour in Europe last month. I thought of you two and wished you knew and could have gone and seen them. I watched online, other than you can hear a little change in his voice because he's getting older they still sound as good as they always have.
Hi there yes in in the 60s I believe because I was born in 1972 what I heard from George Harrison on Anthology that you know they had a pie pay a huge rate of tax it was like super tax and they had a really really pay a high rate of tax in the 60s
Huge taxes but the houses , schools , hospitals and universities UK neaded were built -- The Beatles payed over 90% at times but were multi millionaires despite that ,
In1960s Britain, when and where the Kinks were from, high earners like they would have been were required to pay back over 90 percent of the vast majority of the money they made to the tax man, so it's unsurprising that the topic of taxation reared its head from time to time in music and other artforms.
Towards the end of 1969, bands making a lot of money were being taxed up to an incredible 99% of their earnings -- that's why they HAD to leave the UK! The government was acting like a feudal baron from medieval days. :0)
In the late 1970's UK income tax could be as high as 83% PLUS and investment income surcharge up to 15% making the maximum 98% !!! Interest rates got as high as 17% and inflation peaking in 1975 at 24% before falling back then rising again to 18% in 1980, Happy days in the UK, not!
Ray Davis is having a go at the offspring of the upper class who had everything handed to them on a plate and looked down on people like him. The words of the song are meant to portray their selfish attitude to life.
The 1960s - one of the best decades of my life.
As usual, a great reaction.
Waterloo sunset really gives the plaintiff Ray Davies voice a proper chance - the best Kinks track imho
I agree. Great song!
How Wonderful this music makes me feel😅, being a Child in the 60's was special, I'm glad the 2 of you join in on the fun of it all, 😀 Great reaction 🤣 Peace✌️ and Love your 70 year old forever hippie Gary😊
Nicky Hopkins plays the piano on this. Not a member but a session musician who played with a number of British bands like The Rolling Stones, etc.
Another great satire of the upper classes by Ray Davies. There's a clever promo film released at the time, available on RUclips, showing the band lip-synching to the song in the middle of a snowstorm. Wow, those closed captions were ridiculously incorrect, lol! I'm hoping that you'll react to two of their most strikingly beautiful songs, Waterloo Sunset and Oklahoma USA.
Not only you but many of the other You Tube reactors seem to love this music for the same reasons and use the same comparisons to the current music scene. Love you guys - you do a great job.
The British Bands of my youth, were geniuses of Western Social Commentary. Every word still seems to apply!
This song always puts a smile on my face and I can see that you nice people are smiling too 😊
Great observation about the government/ fat Mama. Knowing how Ray Davies writes lyrics, it fits in with his quirky and satirical sense of humor. For mid period Kinks the albums “ (The Kinks are) the Village Green Preservation Society)” “ Something Else” and later “Lola versus the Powerman and the Money Go Round” and “Muswell Hillbillys” are all excellent recommended listening.
Don't forget the album Face To Face
Dedicated Follower of Fashion is another Kinks song that doesn’t get much airplay but is a different sound and a bit of 60s social commentary!
My favorite is Waterloo Sunset, I think you guy's will like it especially since you lived in the UK.
Nice reaction! You would love the Kinks' song "Apeman".
I was just thinking the same 🐒
Beatles have a song called Taxman which laments the high rate in England at the time.
This song makes me think of cold beer and swinging in a hammock! Takes me places thank you!!😊😊
My best friend at school preferred the kinks to my beloved Beatles in the 60s. I couldn't for the life of me work this one out. But, he was really on to something. Some real classics. From Lola, tears of a clown, dedicated follower of fashion to my particular favourite and to my mind the finest pop song of the 60s-Waterloo Sunset. Which id love you both to hear and get your reaction to. It's absolutely brilliant. Such an optimistic feeling good vibe to it. I'm confident you'll adore it.
This is one band I would have love to see in concert. As they have so many hits to offer a wonderful experience and fun.😊
You are correct, the government he refers to as big fat mamma.
Saw the Kinks in a college gym in '71 with about 40 other people. Like a private concert. Saw them the next summer with The Beach Boys, Doors & Turtles. Seen Ray and Dave both as solos. "Dead End Street" is one you will love as much as this one.
Yeah, I saw them in a high school gym in McLean VA with about a hundred people. But a year later they came back and were playing much larger venues (I saw them then at The Kennedy Center in DC).
In the UK in the 60's high earners could be taxed into the 90%s. That's why so many artists had to move out.
Love this old Kinks song, it sets a mood. Thanks so much guys!
Great song! Was a big hit in both the UK and here in Canada 🇨🇦❤❤
Gorgeous and funny. Dedicated Follower of Fashion is an absolute sing-along blast.
Their song Celluloid Heroes is a really good one.
I'm delighted you both got this sound. It was an underrated atmospheric song which was a much more subtle, clever production than it seems. I did not know the tax situation in 1966 as I was only 6 at the time and had not yet been sent to clean chimneys. But even today at 64 in September this year, I feel the same when I hear this as I did as a child. Now that is talent and genius is always simplistic, well for non geniuses like me who over think stuff.
Love this song. One of my all-time favourotes from my childhood in the mid 60s that I remember hearing on the radio. It takes me back to sunny days and summertime of 1966, carefree sitting on the lawn and playing in the garden.
Yes, the taxation was high due to recovering post WWII rebuilding the country in the 40s and 50s, and the UKs economy was precarious - something I was blissfully unawarevof as a 3-year old. 😄
How about reacting to some Donovan...Hurdy-Gurdy Man, Mellow Yellow, Barabajagal, Atlantis and a dozen more at least...!
The Kinks were a serious band. Many deep cuts are incredible.
LOVE this song! It seemed to come on the radio station at the exact right time; cruising in the car in the summer with my sister driving! She was my idol and hero. She passed away a year and a half ago and I miss her terribly. And she lives with me in songs like this one. I remember singing the “SAVE ME SAVE ME FROM THIS SQUEEZE” loud and proud, windows down, not a care
In the world.
Thank you for sharing. Much love from the both of us 💚
Good pick. Another great song of theirs that everyone is missing is "So Tired of Waiting For You" You will be king of reactions if you play it.
GOD SAVE THE KINKS ! Next "Celluloid Heroes" or "Waterloo Sunset."
The best summer-hit, ever!
I so love the Kinks! The most English of all the English bands! This is another song I frequently play at my Saturday matinees!
Peace
Ray, (the lead singer and chief composer) doesn't just write 'songs', but creates a story that so many can identiy with... So many songs to cover in your Journey, hope you get to a number of them. Anything off their live album: "One for the Road" are great. One of my favorites from that one: "Celluloid Heroes", great guitar from brother Dave and a story of movies from yesteryear. Really enjoy your reactions!
My sister and I were in first grade when this song came out and we would sing the lyrics, and we'd giggle when we sang "I got a big fat momma trying to break me." Grew up further listening to much of their music, and still do.
By the way, I really enjoy your reactions. You share how you really feel about whatever you're reacting to. Thank you! 🙂💜
Oh thank you, I love The Kinks. You had a lot of interesting ideas about this also. I always have a great time here on your channel. ✌❤
Thanks for reviewing all these classics! I grew up in the 60's; the best days ever!! Still clear in my mind.
Wonderful reaction guys. You can't go wrong with The Kinks. And you are spot on with the 'big fat mama' being the government. The Kinks are rock music's best kept secret.
Here's a few more we'll worth checking out:
"Waterloo Sunset"
"Dead End Street"
"Days"
"See My Friends"
"Shangri-La"
"David Watts"
"Autumn Almanac"
"Celluloid Heroes"
"Big Black Smoke"
"Picture Book"
Thank you 😊
'WATERLOO SUNSET'
Love to sing along to this song. Love you guys did this ❤❤🌞🌞
Great piano work By Nicky Hopkins.
Tax was very high in the 60s. The Rolling Stones left UK and recorded 'Exile on Main Street'
For some reason this song reminds me of Den and Angie watts from eastenders. It was played quite a bit in the vic in the 80's
Great song. Their "Dead End Street" , also fantastic, was written with a similar theme.
Ray's wife Rasa ,from Lithuania, is singing backup on this and other tracks.
I strongly recommend their song "Strangers", a lot of bands have covered it because it really hits hard.
Must listen to Beatles “Taxman”. George kills it… one of my favorites
Well respected man is awesome!!
Wow it's been so long since I've heard this Jewel
The 60's, the best decade of music, hands down. Check out "Waterloo Sunset". It's definitely one of the best Kinks song.
Another great English band, Ray Davis absolute legend.
I had a high school beer once wasnt as good as the nice cool one though
England had very high personal taxes in the 60's (don't know about now).
The Beatles' song Taxman (written by George Harrison) was about the high taxes.
great reaction. luv you two. great song. HORRIBLE speech to text across the bottom...
The tax man's taken all my dough
And left me in my stately home
Lazin' on a sunny afternoon
And I can't sail my yacht
He's taken everything I got
All I've got's this sunny afternoon
Save me, save me, save me from this squeeze
I got a big fat mama tryna break me
And I love to live so pleasantly
Live this life of luxury
Lazin' on a sunny afternoon
In the summertime
In the summertime
In the summertime
My girlfriend's run off with my car
And gone back to her ma and pa
Tellin' tales of drunkenness and cruelty
Now I'm sittin' here
Sippin' at my ice cold beer
Lazin' on a sunny afternoon
Help me, help me, help me sail away
Well, give me two good reasons why I oughta stay
'Cause I love to live so pleasantly
Live this life of luxury
Lazin' on a sunny afternoon
In the summertime
In the summertime
In the summertime
Oh, save me, save me, save me from this squeeze
I got a big fat mama tryna break me
And I love to live so pleasantly
Live this life of luxury
Lazin' on a sunny afternoon
In the summertime
In the summertime
In the summertime
In the summertime
In the summertime
Ray Davies of the Kinks, an awesome song writer, penned ‘’Come Dancing’, another classic song!
Taxes were very high in England. Many musicians moved out when they could.
Great.
Yes...Taxes were high in GB. "The highest rate of income tax peaked in the Second World War at 99.25%. It was then slightly reduced and was around 90% through the 1950s and 60s. In 1971 the top rate of income tax on earned income was cut to 75%. A surcharge of 15% kept the top rate on investment income at 90%." Google
Completely different from my normal music style but these oldies are always so great! Are there any bands out there today still making this kind of thing?
I think Ray's voice is great for the type of lyrics that he writes. And Dave doesn't get enough credit for his great backing vocals.
Singers who make it big in the UK have always paid high taxes even now they pay 48 per cent
Hey guys....listen to the KINKS from the late 80's ( '88 ) a great album, so I'll suggest this one.....A Little bit of emotion. A great song by a great band on a great album by the GROWN UP KINKS. Same band....AMAZING....Peace you guys.
❤
Without a doubt most of the big groups of the 60s were skilled musicians, and often self taught. That does not mean there weren't the same sorts in later decades but more recently an ability to husk your way through a song in approxiamte tune is rarely accompanied by musical skils. Even then there are still bands with great skills such as Coldplay and Disturbed.
SEEN THEM TWICE IN SAN DIEGO!!!!
lol at "high school beer".
Taxes on the rich in the UK back in the '60s were sky high. For the precise calculation, I strongly suggest you check out the Beatles "Taxman." 😊
Ray certainly knew how to write poignant lyrics. Very British, with a cup of tea. I agree, "big fat mama" refers to the Government wanting their money.
I think you would find their songs Well Respected Man and Apeman very entertaining.
The kinks❤
Your reactions❤
“Days” and “Animal Farm” a couple more Kinks slightly hidden gems
During the British Invasion in the 60's, Great Britain had raised their tax rates to 95% for these bands. Many moved out of the country. Here's a headline about it from Quora. "How did the British government at the time justify the 95% tax rate that made tax exiles out of the "British Invasion" music stars?"
The Beatles also had a hit called "Taxman" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxman
Hey you guys....listen to TAXMAN, by the Beatles,,,,written by George Harrison....first song on the 1966 album...Revolver ! The UK was, and still is i think, a country with VERY high taxes. Love you guys, you're the best, Keep listening. Oh, by the way, If you want to give Bob Dylan another listen....try JOKERMAN...Beautiful POETRY right in your FACE. PEACE, LOVE.
Big Fat Mama actually represents the Government not the wife. The flipside of this single was another favorite, I'm Not Like Everybody Else. Please check it out.
Yes, the highest tax rate in the UK in the 60s was 90%. Yes you read that right. The government would take 90% of what the top earners (especially entertainers) earned>
George Harrison wrote a song for the Beatles called "Taxman" which tells a similar story.
It's 'lazin' on a sunny afternoon.
👍
Yes. He is complaining about government and taxes. But he is also savaging the ultra rich who complain about paying taxes. Ray is the quintessential observer/commenter on soccio-political issues. try "Dead End Street". I bought my first Kinks album in 1965 when I was 13 years old
Sunny in London, heard it rains a lot ?
Yep. The big fat mamma = Bob Dylan's 'Maggie's Farm'. But the song is also a commentary on new policies to tax the rich from the incoming Labour (Left-wing) government in 1964. Heavily satirical - Ray Davies was a lyrical and musical genius.
Great reaction. Maybe try “Autumn Almanac” by the Kinks. Thanks.
A little off topic but I know you two really like Credence Clearwater Revival, I just found out they did a concert tour in Europe last month. I thought of you two and wished you knew and could have gone and seen them. I watched online, other than you can hear a little change in his voice because he's getting older they still sound as good as they always have.
CCR is no more doing concerts. John Fogerty is.
@@pexi111 John Fogerty is CCR 🙂
So much sarcasm.
the highest level of tax in the UK was over 90% for very wealthy people like rockstars
Correction: Ice Cold Beer. , Lazzing on a sunny afternoon.,
Back then the marginal rate of tax was 97½ %.
Hi there yes in in the 60s I believe because I was born in 1972 what I heard from George Harrison on Anthology that you know they had a pie pay a huge rate of tax it was like super tax and they had a really really pay a high rate of tax in the 60s
Huge taxes but the houses , schools , hospitals and universities UK neaded were built -- The Beatles payed over 90% at times but were multi millionaires despite that ,
In1960s Britain, when and where the Kinks were from, high earners like they would have been were required to pay back over 90 percent of the vast majority of the money they made to the tax man, so it's unsurprising that the topic of taxation reared its head from time to time in music and other artforms.
Towards the end of 1969, bands making a lot of money were being taxed up to an incredible 99% of their earnings -- that's why they HAD to leave the UK! The government was acting like a feudal baron from medieval days. :0)
In the late 1970's UK income tax could be as high as 83% PLUS and investment income surcharge up to 15% making the maximum 98% !!! Interest rates got as high as 17% and inflation peaking in 1975 at 24% before falling back then rising again to 18% in 1980, Happy days in the UK, not!
The beatle paid 95% tax hence their song taxman
Ray Davis is having a go at the offspring of the upper class who had everything handed to them on a plate and looked down on people like him. The words of the song are meant to portray their selfish attitude to life.
It's a great song but those closed caption lyrics arab sew lute Lee Terry Bull.
If you were rich you paid 97.5% tax (on the highest tax band), i.e. you got 2 & a half pence out of every pound you earnt above a certain amount 🤥
My recollection is the tax rate for big incomes was 90+%. Why so many British rock stars moved. Vreat song.
when is that tax man going to get whats actually due?
Whoever did the subtitles was awful. Probably auto-generated. What the heck is a High School Beer? Blazin? How about Lazin?
Yep, RUclips done them!