When I were a young lad I used to play this non-stop. I would sit in my bedroom with my Dansette record player with the arm raise so that it played on repeat. If memory serves it was the B-side of Sunny Afternoon.
I was about fourteen/fifteen and was nuts about Rock Music (still am). This was way back in 1964/5. Very exciting times. The Beatles, Stones, Who, Downliners Sect, Prettythings, Yardbirds and Smallfaces were storming my head. Every week seemed to throw up a new bit of magic. It was as if something had been unleashed and all that pent up creativity was pouring out into music. This was our stuff. Music for my generation.
This was the era of ‘TURN THAT RACKET DOWN!’. As my Mum and Dad repeatedly shouted to me.
I was particularly fond of the Kinks because of the lyrics. This number summed up exactly how I felt. I did not fit in. I was a million miles away from my parents world and not in tune with my mates at school.
I was shortly to discover Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie and find that there were other people I could relate to.
For then – this was my song. I still love it.
“I’m Not Like Everybody Else”
And make out a smile, though I wear a frown,
And I won’t take it all lying down,
‘Cause once I get started I go to town.’Cause I’m not like everybody else,
I’m not like everybody else,
I’m not like everybody else,
I’m not like everybody else.
And I don’t want to ball about like everybody else,
And I don’t want to live my life like everybody else,
And I won’t say that I feel fine like everybody else,
‘Cause I’m not like everybody else,
I’m not like everybody else.
But darling, you know that I love you true,
Do anything that you want me to,
Confess all my sins like you want me to,
There’s one thing that I will say to you,
I’m not like everybody else,
I’m not like everybody else.
I’m not like everybody else,
I’m not like everybody else
And I don’t want to ball about like everybody else,
And I don’t want to live my life like everybody else,
And I won’t say that I feel fine like everybody else,
‘Cause I’m not like everybody else,
I’m not like everybody else.
Like everybody else,
Like everybody else,
Like everybody else,
Like everybody else.
If you all want me to settle down,
Slow up and stop all my running ’round,
Do everything like you want me to,
There’s one thing that I will say to you,
I’m not like everybody else,
I’m not like everybody else.
I’m not like everybody else,
I’m not like everybody else.
And I don’t want to ball about like everybody else,
And I don’t want to live my life like everybody else,
And I won’t say that I feel fine like everybody else,
‘Cause I’m not like everybody else,
I’m not like everybody else.
Like everybody else (like everybody else),
Like everybody else (like everybody else),
Like everybody else (like everybody else),
Like everybody else.
Ah, the days when performers could be individual and yet make it!
I think that burst of pent-up energy took the establishment by surprise. They had to accept it because they could make money from it. They first exploited it and then they took over and controlled it. That’s when they began churning out ‘product’.
Yeah … how did they get everyone to settle for less?
Not everyone. I’m amazed. I really thought that there had been a step change. But we’re back into mass consumption of slop. Quality is not popular. Mediocrity rules. But I guess that was always the case. Rock ‘n’ Roll only lasted a year – the pop versions were more popular (the Colonel knew that and Larry Parnes). The Underground was the underground because most tastes were still for trivial pop. I think there were a lot of weekend hippies jumping on the bandwagon for a bit of fun.
Or else their micromanagement is very sophisticated. (sinister)
I love the Kinks!
So do I. One of my favourites.
Reblogged this on Opher's World and commented:
A harking back to good old Ray when he was a rebel Rock Star!
Just went and heard this song for the first time and definitely loved it!!
I used to play it endlessly when I was a young lad. It became my song. Glad you loved it!
Yeah I’m pretty sure I’ll be playing it endlessly too! It’s just so relatable!! 🙂
I can see that you think like me!
I have to admit, you have great taste in tunes- “I’m not like everybody else”, “Well respected man”, “20th Century Man” and “Waterloo Sunset” are the best tunes of the 60’s along with “A day in the Life” Nuff said.
I love them too. The Kinks were one of my favourite bands. Thanks for saying.