See My Friends

The Kinks

About See My Friends

"See My Friends" is a song by the Kinks, written by the group's singer and guitarist, Ray Davies. Released in July 1965, it reached number 10 on the UK Singles Chart. The song incorporates a drone-effect on the electric guitar, reminiscent of the Indian sitar and tambura. Although writer Jonathan Bellman sees it as the first Western rock song to integrate Indian raga sounds (released four months before the Beatles' "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)"). Davies biographer Johnny Rogan notes that a preceding single release ("Heart Full of Soul" by the Yardbirds) was "pre-empting Davies's innovative use of Indian music". The song is sometimes mistitled "See My Friend", because this is how the song was identified on the initial UK single pressing. However, the website of Kassner Music, which owns the publishing rights to the song, specifies the title as "See My Friends", and these are also the words Davies clearly sings throughout the track. Most subsequent issues of the song have borne the more familiar "See My Friends" title. 


Year:
1995
59 
#2

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See my friends,
See my friends,
Layin' 'cross the river,

See my friends,
See my friends,
Layin' 'cross the river,

She is gone,
She is gone and now there's no one left
'cept my friends,
Layin' 'cross the river,

She just went,
She just went,
Went across the river.

Now she's gone,
Now she's gone,
Wish that I'd gone with her.

She is gone,
She is gone and now there's no one left
'cept my friends,
Layin' 'cross the river,

She is gone and now there's no one else to take her place
She is gone and now there's no one else to love
'cept my friends,
Layin' 'cross the river,

See my friends,
See my friends,
Layin' 'cross the river,

See my friends,
See my friends,
Layin' 'cross the river,

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The Kinks

The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, the Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock groups of the era. Their music was influenced by a wide range of genres, including rhythm and blues, British music hall, folk and country. Ray Davies (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Dave Davies (lead guitar, vocals) remained members throughout the group's 32-year run. Original members Pete Quaife (bass guitar, vocals) and Mick Avory (drums and percussion) were replaced by John Dalton in 1969 and Bob Henrit in 1984, respectively. Dalton was in turn replaced by Jim Rodford in 1978. Keyboardist Nicky Hopkins accomp… more »

8 fans

Written by: Raymond Douglas Davies

Lyrics © BROADWAY MUSIC CORPORATION, Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


8 facts about this song

History and Release
"See My Friends" is a song by British rock band "The Kinks". - The song was written by the band's lead singer, Ray Davies, and was released as a non-album single in 1965.
Cultural Influence
This song is credited with being one of the first Western pop songs to integrate Indian raga sounds, preceding even The Beatles' raga-influenced songs.
Chart Performance
"See My Friends" achieved significant chart success. It ranked at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart and was also a top 50 hit in Australia.
Song Inspiration
Ray Davies claimed that the lyrics for "See My Friends" were inspired by the untimely death of his older sister, Rene. In particular, the song's melancholic tone and its theme of losing a loved one were direct expressions of Davies's personal grief.
Song Recording
The Kinks recorded "See My Friends" at Pye Studios in London. It was one of the band's first songs to include a guitar tuned to a drone, a technique that would become a signature in many of their later works.
Cover Versions
Since its release, "See My Friends" has been covered by numerous artists, including David Hasselhoff and Spoon.
Legacy and Recognition
"Rolling Stone" rated "See My Friends" as one of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time", solidifying its status as a landmark song in the history of pop music.
Song Reinterpretation
In 2010, Ray Davies re-recorded "See My Friends" with the band Spoon for the collaborative album "See My Friends", which features new versions of Kinks classics performed by Davies along with a variety of different artists.

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