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Ray Davies: An Underrated Songwriter

by Bob Stanley of Saint Etienne.

"Boss man Ray Davies wrote it" said Brian Matthew, introducing the Kinks' Sunny Afternoon back in 1966, "and I think it's a knockout number." There's no doubt Brian still holds this opinion today, having included the Kinks' third number one as a pick for his 25th anniversary SOTS show earlier this year.

The Kinks

The Muswell Hillbillies chat to Brian about their music and their style

"Oh yes, yes, I met Ray Davies many times and I ire him," Brian says enthusiastically over BBC coffee and a Rich Tea. "I think he was THE single most underrated writer in this country. Certainly as good as the Beatles at their best - I think he was outstanding."

I think he was THE single most underrated writer in this country
Brian Matthew on Ray Davies

As they did so many sessions for Saturday Club and Top Of The Pops, Brian must have met the whole group a few times. "Yes... the brother (Dave Davies) was peculiar and threw things about a bit."

While he was recording?

"Well, yes! He was quite off-putting in the studio. It didn't bother him at all, he was just kind of stroppy about things. And falling out with Ray all too often. But Ray was very interesting to chat to... which doesn't reveal itself too much in recorded interviews. I was listening to one the other day for possible inclusion on Sounds Of The Sixties and I thought 'oh, that's pretty boring!' But he was such a talented writer."

Maybe Ray was a little shy but, myself, I wouldn't say the interviews are boring. Plenty of them are available on the excellent Kinks At The BBC box set, released in 2012. Introducing the pride of Muswell Hill on Saturday Club back in 1964, Brian asked Ray if he'd describe the Kinks' music as R&B: "It's expression" says Ray, "it's not R&B. It's pop because it's popular... but we express ourselves."

Yes... the brother was peculiar and threw things about a bit...
Brian on Dave Davies

A year on Brian interviewed Ray again, having clearly warmed to him, and asked about his burgeoning career as a songwriter outside the Kinks.

"Dave Berry's just got quite a big success with one (This Strange Effect). The Honeycombs did one some time back (Something Better Beginning). I was amazed the other day when my publisher told me that Peggy Lee's covered one of my numbers. You know, she's one of my idols. It's one called I Go To Sleep - nobody's done it over here." He then adds, rather sadly, "I'd love to hear it."

The band pictured backstage in 1964 during one of their many recording sessions for the BBC

Bob Stanley Meets Brian Matthew