https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTTsY-oz6Go Released: 1964 "You Really Got Me", The Kinks third single, reached Number 1 in September 1964 and remained there for two weeks, the group's desire to release a hit single unknowingly laying down the foundations of Heavy Metal in the process. In comparison to the other tracks found on their debut album, You Really Got Me is an instant highlight, less Merseybeat and more raw, dirty Rock N Roll; a brave move, particularly on a debut album released in the early to mid 60s. You Really Got Me was undoubtedly revolutionary, constructed around a punishing, distorted, power chord riff that was the first hit single to base a whole song around such a structure. Way before its time, it would be years before musicians utilised the same approach to compose whole albums; the seeds of Heavy Metal sown by the Kinks in just 2 short minutes. The Kinks basically re-recorded this song just 2 months later, so successful was the formula, in the shape of All Day and All of the Night and no one batted an eye-lid! It wasnt laziness, just simply the realisation that they were on to something incredibly special. In 1999, You Really Got Me was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and it stands proud as one of the first wave of songs which helped to forge the genre of Heavy Metal.
I love Heavy Metal, and generally anything that involves a guitar and loud noises, so I figured it was about time I put all the useless information in my head to good use and start writing a few things. Most of the time I'll be writing nonsense but occasionally I may surprise myself and appear half-way knowledgable.....but you can be the judge of that. Thanks for your fleeting attention!