All Day And All Of The Night by The Kinks

Album: The Kink Kronikles (1964)

Charted: 2 7

License This Song

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

The Kinks based this on their first hit, "You Really Got Me." In their early years, The Kinks' record company pressured them to follow up hits very quickly, which created what lead singer Ray Davies described as an "assembly line" of songs. In this case, the tactic worked well, with the sound-a-like tune scoring them another hit.
Kinks frontman Ray Davies wrote this lusty rocker where the guy can't stand to be away from his girl even for a minute. He called it, "A neurotic song - youthful, obsessive and sexually possessive."
This was produced by group's manager, Shel Talmy, who helped The Kinks get a loud, dynamic sound. Talmy, an American who came to England when he smelled opportunity, also produced the first album for The Who.
The Kinks recycled the basic riff in the song "Destroyer," the style of which bares a resemblance to that of many Talking Heads songs, from that group's 1981 album Give The People What They Want. "Destroyer"'s lyrics contain references to other Kinks songs, including "Lola." >>>
Suggestion credit:
Eric - Suffern, NY
During a July 12, 2006 concert at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, Ray Davies explained how the song was originally rejected by his record company because it was "too blue-collar, too working-class" and because the record execs thought the guitar sounded like a dog's bark.
You might notice some similarities between this song and the 1968 Doors song "Hello, I Love You." According to Ray Davies, his publisher wanted to sue the Doors over it, but Ray refused to take legal action.
There was a persistent rumor that Jimmy Page played guitar on some early Kinks songs, including this one. When Ray Davies was asked about this in a 1981 interview with Creem, he replied: "I remember Page coming to one of our sessions when we were recording 'All Day And All Of The Night.' We had to record that song at 10 o'clock in the morning because we had a gig that night. It was done in three hours. Page was doing a session in the other studio, and he came in to hear Dave's solo, and he laughed and he snickered. And now he says that he played it! So I think he's an asshole, and he can put all the curses he wants on me because I know I'm right and he's wrong."

Comments: 34

Jennifur SunBobby Graham played drums on this song
Sean Black from OhioKinks, very influential, very cool, very underrated. Pure rock n roll. When this came out it scared people!
AnonymousSounds very much like Page.
Nigel from Gainsborough, EnglandWhat a crock .... personally I believe Ray Davies' explanation. As for Page... totally over rated.
Eddie from La-calSo from everything I've read, we still don't know who really played the solo on All Day/Night, huh?! I saw Ray and the Kinks at the Whiskey in Hollywood in 1975 (over 10 years after the original song release). Man, they sucked!! I find it sooo hard to believe that Ray could have done that solo. However, that solo is so clean and so precise in its wildness that I really don't think that was Jimmy. Jimmy is innovative in his solos but he is one messy player! Well, I take that back - he's very messy live but does some fantastic things in the studio. Still, that solo is not Jimmy's style if you compare it with what he did on the 1st Led Zep album. I think the Talmy got a ringer in there for the solo. I'll leave it at that. Com'on, let's see all the flames!!
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn December 20th 1964, "All Day and All of the Night" by the Kinks entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; and on January 31st it peaked at #7 (for 3 weeks) and spent 12 weeks on the Top 100...
It was their 2nd charted record in the U.S.A.; their 1st was "You Really Got Me", and that also peaked at #7 in America...
Their next charted hit, "Tired of Waiting For You", bested the first two by one position, it reached #6.
Molly from Allegan, Miat the rock and roll hall of fame metallica did a super cool version of this with ray davies. tell you what for an old guy ray can still bring it and kirk seriosly shreds on this.
De Java from Miami, Flsolo reminds of Mccartny's guit style
Tom from Shelbyville, InThere was an article out at that time that started this.it seems Ray Davies wanted to be in the control room.managing the sound,when Jimmy cut loose on the solo,he was furious,Dave can't play that! that little S.O.B. it was so good he reluctantly used it.it you've ever seen a video from then,when it goes to the solo,Dave looks real uncomfortable,then the camera goes to Ray and a tape loop from the record plays.
Page hates controversy,and allways denighed having any thing too do with it,all most let it out on It Might Get Loud
Tom from Shelbyville, InI can't believe this is still going around.I saw the Kinks ;live in 65 Dave Davies couldn't play the solo.sounded terrible.if you liston to Donovan's Hurdy Gurdy Man Solo,which Donovan proudly claims it's Page,and what he did in the Yardbirds,plus the fact that Page had the only fuzz box in England at that time(documented)and is famous for being stingy,the Kinks stuff has Page's finger prints all over it.Page was known as a hired gun by producers,Shel Talmy wanted a hit,knew Dave couldn't do it
Fyodor from Denver, Co@Sam in Shanghai. I was going by ear, but looking it up, I see you're correct, at least technically. Can't Explain is very similar but slightly different. All Day's main riff is 1-7-flatted 3-1, whereas Can't Explain's is 1-7-4-1. Pretty close, but different. I *was* off base on the other three (including my own) which are more significantly different from each other.
John from Mesa, AzOf course it is a "same" type of riffing, recording, solo the same and simple catchy lyrics. I can't believe that he was ripping himself off from the "You Really Got Me" song. He sings so kinky 4 sure!
David from Youngstown, OhThe Kinks recycle the same riffs from plenty of their songs. Besides You've Really Got Me/All Day and All of the Night/Destroyer, the music is nearly identical on Lola and Apeman.
Paul from Garrett, Ky, KyI just rambled on too long posting a comment for "You Really Got Me." But I will say this again--please listen to The Kinks' "I Need You." It's very much like "You Really, and All Day and" but that's not a bad thing. And, it's just that great, wild sound Dave gets on the guitar coupled with Ray's absolutely unique singing style. Best...Paul, Garrett, KY
Jonna from Tampa, FlActually, Robby Krieger has said that they stole the riff from "Sunshine of Your Love," not from this song.
Chloe from St. Louis, Moderek, I read the songfact, I'm just saying it sounded similar.
Derek from Shrewsbury, Maum cloe read the stupid facts that are literaly inches from your entry it says that they based it on you really got me
Chloe from St. Louis, Mois it just me, or does this sound exactly like "you really got me"? oh well, still a great song. the doors admitted to stealing the riff for "hello i love you". cant really blame them, its really addictive, the kind of thing that gets stuck in your head.
Cedric from Melbourne, AustraliaTalmy said Page played rhythm on some tracks on the Kinks first album, but never played lead for the band.

I think I also recall an interview with Page where he said much the same - and denied ever claiming he'd played lead.

I suspect some people knew he'd played on some sessions, put two and two together, and got 15.
Meredith from Wauwatosa, WiThis song is so cool, but it makes me giggle because the Kinks always put emphasis on words that normally aren't emphasized like "Girl, I want to be with you all of THE time." Very interesting!
Ian from Chicago, IlWas hooked on this song since I swiped one of my big sister's Kinks albums. Rock on!
Echo from Normalville, MaThe Doors ripped off the riff. (and they ADMITTED it!)
Darrell from Eugene, United StatesThis song was used in a Pepto-Bismol commercial in the mid-1990s. It featured a classic car of some sort (I want to say 1959 Cadillac, but I cannot remember for certain) and the famous Randy's Donuts building, which is in Los Angeles if I remember correctly. (Randy's Donuts is the 1950-something building with the huge doughnut on the roof)
Sam from Shanghai, Chinafyodor from Denver, where are you getting that claim from? Compared with Can't Explain, they're both catchy three chord riffs, but they don't sound similar, and they're not the same three chords...
Paul from Sacramento, CaProbably the Kink's most powerful, raucous performance, even more so than "Your Really Got Me". Trivia: drums on all the Kinks' early hits recordings from 1964-1965, including this song, were played by professional session drummers hired by producer Shel Talmy - mostly Clem Cattini and Bobby Graham. Kinks drummer Mick Avory was new to the band and Talmy wanted more seasoned drummers for studio work. Avory played drums on virtually all Kinks studio recordings after late 1965.
Fyodor from Denver, CoThis simple riff was imitated for The Who's Can't Explain, The Nazz's Open My Eyes and The Doors' Hello I Love You (and a song I wrote, too!). Wonder if this was its first appearance?
Joe from Lethbridge, CanadaI've heard Paige claimed to have played lead guitar on several kinks songs. Ray denies this. However Paige did play rhythm guitar on some tracks. But lead guitar was always played by Dave Davies.
Joseph from Grand Ronde, OrJohn from Boston is right.
Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScSong's awesome and so are the Kinks!
John from Boston, Mayeah the rockstar INXS dude wasn't nearly as good as the Kinks, Im sorry, and this song wasn't written to be sleek and well produced
Morgaine from Calgary, CanadaI heard something about Jimmy Page claiming he was hired as a session guitarist to do the solo, and that hes claiming it. Is it true?
Mercedies from Soldotna, AkHave you guys seen Rockstar INXS? Mig Ayesa sang this song. Let me tell you, he could have given the Kinks a run for their money! Anyway great song. I love to crank it.
Taylor from Austin, Txgood one.
Dotdotcom from London, EnglandHas been covered by The Stranglers , for a much sleeker well-produuced version.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

You're BeautifulJames Blunt

The James Blunt song "You're Beautiful" is not romantic: it's a about a creepy subway encounter with an ex.

1979Smashing Pumpkins

"1979" by Smashing Pumpkins is about Billy Corgan entering adulthood. A more accurate year would be 1983, but 1979 was easier to rhyme.

All The Young DudesMott the Hoople

All The Young Dudes "carry the news" because it was intended for a David Bowie concept album where Ziggy Stardust spreads the news in a world with electricity.

AlejandroLady Gaga

The songs on Lady Gaga's The Fame Monster album represent a "fear" of some "monster." "Alejandro" is her "fear of sex" monster.

The first version of The Beatles' "Helter Skelter" was a 27-minute jam, so you can imagine what Ringo was going through pounding away on drums. To convince the guys he needed a break, he screamed, "I've got blisters on my fingers!" This was included on the fadeout.

Gangnam StylePsy

The K-pop hit "Gangnam Style" became the most-viewed video in YouTube history months after it was released in 2012, a title it held until "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa overtook it in 2017.