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

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Songs About Movies

Songs About MoviesSong Writing

Iron Maiden, Adele, Toto, Eminem and Earth, Wind & Fire are just some of the artists with songs directly inspired by movies - and not always good ones.

Which Songs are About Drugs?

Which Songs are About Drugs?Fact or Fiction

"25 or 6 to 4" to "Semi-Charmed Life" - see if you can spot the songs that are really about drugs.

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock Photography

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock PhotographySong Writing

One of rock's top photographers talks about artistry in photography, raising funds for a documentary, and enjoying a County Fair with Tom Waits.

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.

Gary Lewis

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.