All of My Friends Were There

Album: The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society (1968)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This lighthearted Music Hall style song written by Ray Davies carries a very sad theme: a performer shows up drunk for an important gig, against the advice of his manager, where he is scorned to the point where he is too embarrassed to show his face in public. For days, he goes around in disguise before he recovers and starts performing again.

    The Kinks did not have as many problems with drugs or alcohol as other bands of the '60s did, although Ray Davies later admitted to taking drugs when he was in art college and going through a period of alcoholism around 2001.
  • This song uses two time signatures: 6/8 time for the jumpy verse sections, and 3/4 for the slower choruses. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Eli - Melrose Park, PA, for above 2
  • The song was inspired by a real event that happened to Ray Davies. In Andy Miller's Thirty Three and a Third book about Village Green, Davies recalled a concert at which he performed with a temperature of 104. "I had lots and lots to drink, and I thought, 'It doesn't matter,'" he said. "The curtains opened, and all my friends were there in the front row. It was a terrible night and I thought I would write a song about it."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Keith Reid of Procol Harum

Keith Reid of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

As Procol Harum's lyricist, Keith wrote the words to "A Whiter Shade Of Pale." We delve into that song and find out how you can form a band when you don't sing or play an instrument.

George Clinton

George ClintonSongwriter Interviews

When you free your mind, your ass may follow, but you have to make sure someone else doesn't program it while it's wide open.

Glen Ballard

Glen BallardSongwriter Interviews

Glen Ballard talks about co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill album, and his work with Dave Matthews, Aerosmith and Annie Lennox.

Adele

AdeleFact or Fiction

Despite her reticent personality, Adele's life and music are filled with intrigue. See if you can spot the true tales.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.