The Kinks vs. Van Halen
"You Really Got Me" / "Atomic Punk" 7" Single
From Hennemusic.com:
Van Halen really got to Dave Davies of The Kinks with their version of “You Really Got Me.”
In a new interview with Classic Rock magazine, The Kinks’ original lead guitarist offered his thoughts on the VH version for the first time – more than 30 years after its release.
“Van Halen’s version was very Middle America. It was like, ‘Hey man, look at me with my tight trousers! Here’s our version of You Really Got Me!,” said Davies. “There’s the thing: good art isn’t always about having the comfiest technique. I shouldn’t encourage him, but I’m sure Eddie Van Halen played better when he was drunk. But it must be a good record if people like it.”
VH’s version was like a rock supernova, launching the band’s career while turning heads everywhere with previously unheard guitar sounds courtesy of Eddie.
“You Really Got Me” was The Kinks first hit, reaching #1 in the UK in September of 1964, and top 10 in the US. Although brother Ray is credited as the sole songwriter, Dave was responsible for creating the distorted power chord sound that the song is built around. Musicologists have credited the track – and especially the power chords – as the song that “invented heavy metal,” with the tune becoming a blueprint for hard rock and heavy metal.
Interesting to note that Davies has never commented on the VH version before, and his ‘sour grapes’ approach may come from the fact that Van Halen had overshadowed the British band with its release in 1978.
“We got pissed off though, when we played America,” said Davies. “The Kinks had an album out called Low Budget [1979] and we ended up touring and playing stadiums. Some kid came up to me after one of the gigs and said: ‘I like your cover of Van Halen’s You Really Got Me.’ You have to smile sometimes.”
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July 27th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
It’s no contest. Van Halen’s version is far superior. The song is good,and you have to give Dave Davies credit for writing the song, but Van Halen took it to another level. It’s like comparing Bob Dylan’s All Along The Watchtower with Jimi Hendrix’s version. Jimi wins hands down. I feel the same way with the Kinks vs. Van Halen!
July 27th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
That live Kinks version hurt my ears.
I know I’m biased, but give me VH all day, anyday.
Sounds like someone’s a little po’d cuz they got outshined by VH.
July 27th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Holy shit…really? Dave and Ray were incredible songwriters, and I’ve always respected their stuff. The Kinks should be thankful for the flattery Van Halen bestowed upon them for covering that tune (and doing it so goddamn well)…as well as quite a bit more recognition for the Kinks in the states.
July 27th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Great story and great song.
I started playing guitar when i was 12 years old and even i knew it was a cover song.
July 27th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
And the award for “Best Male Hip Gyration in a Music Video of 1979″ goes too…..
July 27th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
hahahahaha I love your cover of Van Halen’s You Really Got Me hahaha wow that sucks for them but come on guys they took the skin and bones of your song and filled it out with distortion flesh and character. And they even had all their teeth in the right place!
P.S: What kind of asshole taunts a recovering self conscience as hell alcoholic like that? What a dick respect down on Kinks.
July 27th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
And p.p.s kinks as hard as you so blatantly try you will always look and sound like a semi-retarded clone of the Beatles.
July 27th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
I think Eddie once stated in an interview, “that’s a hot tune that we turned into a jet plane”. Van Halen took it, strapped a huge pair of balls on it and served it up with a nasty, arrogant, unforgiving swagger….that’s the very essence of rock, is it not? The Kinks version made you want to dance….Van Halen’s version made You want to f@#k!!!!
July 27th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Hahaha, like the comment about Eddie playing better when he is drunk!!!!!!
The Kinks are awesome, and I enjoy their version more than Van Halen’s sometimes.
July 27th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
I shouldn’t encourage him, but I’m sure Dave Davies gave better interviews when he was drunk.
You always should give credit to the person who creates something — just as you should when someone takes what you created to entirely different level.
July 27th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
I like both. But I like Eddie’s guitar playing so much better. So much more soulful in addition to be technically more proficient!!
July 27th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
I wonder if it burns Dave Davies ass that Van Halen did it to them again on Diver Down. VH’s version of “Where Have All The Good Times Gone” blows the Kinks out of the water… and I like the Kinks!
July 27th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Ya that comment about Eddie’s drinking, real nice Dave. That’s why Ray and Dave would fight on stage! Eddie CAN play circles around Dave Davies drunk and sober!!! Ray has class his brother…….not so much!! Love ya Eddie!
July 27th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Davies is a bitter english loser. VH took his song and made it a classic. Jealous M’F'R
July 27th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
I disagree. Although Van Halen’s version is very good, the Kinks version makes the hair on testicles stand up. In the three minutes it takes to hear that song, my reproductive organs have grown 1 inch. (up to 3 inches now)
July 27th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Mink and Aftershock: I agree with you 100%.
July 27th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Bitter much? lol
July 27th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
I just get no charge out of the kinks version- its just boring to me. Whereas the VH version is pure dynamite.
July 27th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
There is a chef on the audience? lol minute 1:23
July 27th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Like eddie said about YOU REALLY GOT ME….We took a hot tune and turned it into a jet airplane!!! That shows you how great VAN HALEN was,they took a killer song and made it even better!!!
July 27th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
got class?
July 27th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
It probably PISSES Dave Davies OFF that he gets a BIGGER royalty check from the Van Halen version than The Kinks!!!
Bitter, table for one!!!
July 27th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Sounds like another old, bitter British wanker who’s pissed off that a young American band took a boring Kinks song and turned it into a flaming rocketship from Hell.
Everyone and their grandma knows that Van Halen’s version of that song is FRIGGIN’ AWESOME and gets all the chicks’ panties soppin’ wet and dudes’ cocks grow 3 inches just listening to it at max. volume (I know mine does). There is so much swagger and attitude in Van Halen’s rendition it almost explodes in a big nut wad of testosterone all over your eyes and ears!
Dave Davies will die an angry old English twat — still mad that a bunch of Pasadena bad asses named Van Halen made his song more famous than his pathetic band ever could.
July 27th, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Adrian I’m with you what a jerk ! I wouldn’t even know that the Kinks existed without Van Halen! Eddie the greatest guitar player in the WORLD ! Sober Or Drunk ! I don”t give a damn!!!!
July 27th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Roth Zealot I think I’ve just met by friend in the whole world ! Thats probably the best post I’ve ever read on this site . Can we have a Bromance ?
July 27th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
He’s just upset that his brother got all the royalties (and maybe rightly so).
Jimmy Page played on early Kinks records and is rumored
to have played this riff but I think he has all but
denied that it was him.
July 27th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
LOL!! Are you kidding me Dave Davies????? You should be HONORED VH turned your song into a CLASSIC! What a D-Bag! Jealous, bitter D-bag.
July 27th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
VH’s version is SUPERIOR!!!!!!!!
July 27th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
The Kinks are an amazing band. Waterloo Sunset is regarded as one of the best songs ever written. People who diss the Kinks have some serious problems needing their musical tastes to be validated. If the Kinks are so lame, why did TWO of their songs end up on VH records. Comparing these bands is ridiculous because they are completely different.
July 27th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
Ok first off, Ryan, you’re an absolute moron!! You are obviously looking for an argument. Go listen to your shitty old Kinks music. You ignorant FUCK!!
Now that’s off of my chest. Dave Davies is just an unhappy Britt and is bitter towards EVH for bringing his shitty uncolorful song to guitar god levels. Let’s face it, VH could have redone the Barney song and made kick ass!!
July 27th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
The Kinks were acting the like the Beatles for Christ sakes…. Man… Get over it…
July 28th, 2010 at 12:00 am
@Ed – Jealous, bitter D-Bag????? Who are you to insult Dave Davies?
July 28th, 2010 at 12:03 am
I love the VH version. As far as I’m concerned VH made that tune wholly their own. Sounds like sour grapes to me.
July 28th, 2010 at 12:42 am
Van Halen version, always.
July 28th, 2010 at 1:39 am
Skutch is the first in this thread to get it: If the Kinks suck as bad as half of you claim why did VH cover two of their songs? I think Dave and Ed know what good music is and they thought the kinks worthy of two covers so maybe you all need to stop whining just because someone offered an opinion about your precious Van Halen that you don’t like.
July 28th, 2010 at 1:42 am
Ahh, Mr. Davies: I’ll get you a bottle of whatever you drink. I’ll pay for the studio time. You pick out ANY VH tune to cover and see if anyone is listening to it at the end of this year let alone 30 years from now.
Hell, straight up, Mikey’s bass is better than the original version.
July 28th, 2010 at 4:16 am
Hey losers,
Dave Davies can say whatever he wants to say, whenever he wants to. At least he didn’t turn into a salesman.
July 28th, 2010 at 5:38 am
Where have all the good times gone?
July 28th, 2010 at 6:08 am
Ray Davies deserves absolute respect for writing one of the greatest songs of all time . Dave Davies obviously missed out on the credit and is bitter n twisted n hasnt got a cent from it , poor Dave.
VH do cover tunes better then anyone else , david lee has done some of the greatest covers of all time.
you really got me
ice cream man
your no good
where have all the good times gone
pretty woman
big bad bill
dancing in the street
happy trails
easy street
californian girls
just a gigalo
coconut grove
im easy
tabacco rd
thats life
night life
Then there was his covers album yikes!! shoo bop is great
Sammy did appolitical blues oh well
July 28th, 2010 at 6:37 am
Skutch, you are so right brother!!!! Rock the fuck on!!!! Karl makes a good point too!!! Remember people, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one and some stink more than others!!!!!
July 28th, 2010 at 7:13 am
I think both versions are great and aren’t really comparable. Two different bands, different decades, different styles. Davies is obviously a bitter English douche.
July 28th, 2010 at 10:13 am
I didn’t even watch the clip because I judge a band BY THEIR MUSIC. The Kinks were amazing songwriters, who cares who is a better guitar player. There’s more to music than just guitar playing.
July 28th, 2010 at 10:32 am
I think the Kinks should be grateful. Van Halen should be thanked for turning their fans to look at the Kinks. I wonder how many people bought the original Kinks version to compare or how many bought Kinks stuff to see what Van Halen’s fascination was about. They should be anything but bitter. They should thank Eddie Van Halen
July 28th, 2010 at 10:52 am
I think Skutch summed it up pretty well.
This article said that Dave Davies offers his thoughts on the VH version for the first time but I could’ve sworn I read recently that Davies admitted that he liked Van Halen’s version better than the Kinks. Am I crazy?
July 28th, 2010 at 11:33 am
If Ray is credited as the sole songwriter, he’s probably the one raking in the royalties on the VH version. Maybe that’s part of Dave’s bitterness
I prefer the VH version, but I suppose that goes without saying since I read this site. I’m sure there are a ton of people who are big Kinks fans who think the original is MUCH better than the VH version.
As for his “played better drunk” comment, it’s pretty low-class but the same sentiment has been made by many commenters on this site.
July 28th, 2010 at 11:46 am
Van Halen made a LOT of money for Ray and Dave Davies. You Really Got me and Where Have All The Good Times Gone. Add The Pretender’s Stop Your Sobbing and it looks like Ray Davies was having more success with others doing his songs (at least in America). The Live Kinks LP from the early 80′s has them doing the Van Halen version of YRGM anyway! The Van Halen covers kept them in the spotlight at a time where they were NOT having hit songs (Come Dancing was 82 or 83 right?)
July 28th, 2010 at 11:56 am
Dean
Hi loser…just wanted to point out that VH did Apolitcal Blues. Sorry moron. Charming of you to drag your jealousy in to another post.
Keep em coming.
Hugs
July 28th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
vh gives the song major balls
July 28th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Dear Dave Davies, Stop being so bitter and get your head out of your ass. Thanks Van Halen fans from all over the world. P.S.-In the immortal words of Spickoily “You Dick”
July 28th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
The Kinks version actually rocks pretty good here. VH were obviously lip syncing for this video which takes away from it just a bit. Regardless, the VH version is a classic, the Kinks….forgotten.
July 28th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
“vh gives the song major balls”
@ kevin
You are correct, sir.
July 28th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Why isn’t Wolfgang in this video?
July 28th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
“but I’m sure Eddie Van Halen played better when he was drunk”
Apparently Dave Davies didn’t attend the 2004 tour.
July 28th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
Ray is the sole songwriter b/c he wrote the song ON PIANO, in his parents living room.
DD got to play his brother’s tune on guitar.
Maybe DD would be less bitter if he got the royalties his bro has enjoyed for over 4 decades(?)
July 29th, 2010 at 4:57 am
D.O.A
Yes with Sammy hagar????????? you actually like that song seriously? its terrible , it wasnt even on the original album , was it a hit of any kind ??? is it anyones favorite VH song??? out of pretty woman , you really got me , you wld prefer Appolitical blues really?
Is your favorite VAN HALEN album OU812 , really???
Whats the jealously about ?? that ROTH didnt cover appolitical blues,
Has Sammy ever covered a song that was a hit or popular?
Good on you D.O.A ,bag peoples opinions on the net a sign of a true man , respect
July 29th, 2010 at 10:29 am
As usual Dean, you don’t get it. No rocket science involved in what DOA said. The BAND covered that song, yet in your misguided little fantasy world, you want to lay it at the footsteps of one person. Doesn’t work that way in a band, no matter how badly you want it to.
I didn’t see anywhere that he claimed that to be a favorite song, nor a hit, didn’t compare it to any other song, and didn’t claim the album to be a favorite.
I think what he was saying, (without saying it) is that your a donk for dragging your personal little drama to a post that had nothing to do with what you wrote. I tend to agree.
July 29th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
You really got me, Where have all the good times gone, Won’t get fooled again, You’re no good, Pretty woman… no one does better covers than Van Halen; i would say they are better than the originals in all cases!!
July 29th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Awesome covers no doubt….while I LOVE the cover of Won’t Get Fooled Again, if I was forced to vote someone off the island, I’d probably keep The Who. Damn those guys were freakin’ great.
July 30th, 2010 at 1:27 am
VH have written a few terrible songs (imo), and out of all the songs in the world they decided to cover appolitical blues with Sammy, Eddie n Alex are just as much to blame!
Its just a crap song , so it fits in well with ou812 , dont ya think?
July 30th, 2010 at 9:55 am
OK…we might be finding a little common ground. OU812 is probably my least favorite of all things VH. There are a couple songs that I do really like, however. I feel like the production value on that album is terrible, which is the worst part of it for me.
July 30th, 2010 at 11:05 am
Hail to the Kinks. Van Halen was a band that need a hit to achieve widespread success and they got it from them. YRGM was described as the song that “invented heavy metal”, I’d agree with that. Same with Neil Young for leading the way for the grunge movement with his “Hey Hey My My (Into the Black)” and Slade passing the torch to Quiet Riot with “Cum on Feel the Noize”. It’s all good.
And what a different stage look. The Kinks with their frilly blouses like the guy in the Moody Blues still wears compared to Dave’s look.
July 30th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
I wrote a lot of Van Halen’s covers and forgot Rock and Roll from Led Zepellin. The version in the LWAN is great and like the original, it rocks!! And D.O.A: i respect a lot your opinion, but i still chose Van Halen’s Won’t get fooled again! Greetings from Brazil!! Brazilian fan.
July 30th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Good call, Alexandre. R & R was a great moment!
Quite the melting pot we have here on VHND.
July 30th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Go on you tube and search van halen doing won’t get fooled again. There is a version of them doing it in the studio. It’s absolutley incredible how good they sound.
July 31st, 2010 at 12:49 am
Amen Herb ,
I couldnt agree with you more
D
July 31st, 2010 at 11:25 am
@ John – Thanks Man seriously for mentioning the youtube video of Van Halen playing “Won’t Get Fooled Again” in the studio. I never knew about that. All I can say about that is…WOW!! That kicked some serious f**ing ass!! I’ve heard and seen the Live version before but I’ve never heard or seen that. I absolutely love that time period in Van Halen’s history. The band was firing on all six cylinders. They were all at the top of their game and they all sounded perfect. I miss those times. I miss that band!
Sammy’s voice is un-friggin-believble in that video. At first his mic wasn’t loud enough but that scream towards the end, holy crap I wish I had a voice like that. It seems so effortless too with Sammy. Wow. Even Mike was like “Talk about a scream at the end.” HA HA.
Eddie was amazing as usual, too bad about the headphones Ed… “These headphones SUCK”
HA ha. Gaaawwwd I miss Eddie!
Sometimes I think that Alex’s amazing drumming gets overlooked because of Eddie’s ridiculous amount of talent but Alex is Amazing as well. Alex is a monster on the drumkit. I love watching Alex work his magic, I wish they would have shown him in the video a little more.
Thanks again John for mentioning that video here.
It’s really cool when every once in a while someone here will mention something that I’m unaware of like a youtube video or a little nugget on information and it’s like it tides me over for awhile, ahhhhhhhh… LOL.
I can’t believe I haven’t ever seen and heard that studio version before. Man that was awesome.
Can you imagine the kind of bad ass box set Van Halen could put together. Unreleased stuff like that. I really hope something like a box set with a bunch of unreleased stuff gets put out someday. I bet they would sell like crazy.
July 31st, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Heck, they should have covered other Kink tunes later. “Girl I want to be with you” Ed could have beefed that baby up!