The Kinks were one of the greatest bands of their time but a little too clever for their own good. Sure, they scored hits. Yes, the songwriting of Ray Davies is both praised and imitated. But lesser British rock n’ roll bands made more money and had more success.

That matters little. The Kinks are one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and I think that Ray Davies’ songs, in particular, are the work of genius. Here are the greatest 10 songs by The Kinks. I will admit to have found it hard to pick only 10.

The Greatest 10 Songs by The Kinks

10. “Dandy”

There are very few songs by the Kinks that are not punctuated by excellent jokes. The humour has helped the songs remain beloved. But, at the time of their release, audiences reacted slightly less enthusiastically to the comedy as they did to the hooky pop-rock songs of The Beatles or The Rolling Stones.

“Dandy” is a song that I love. It’s marvellously catchy. “Dandy” plays upon the idea of the well-dressed English gentleman who might be playing in a band, but who, invariably, will one day will have to reckon with getting older.

9. “Dead End Street”

Even when they were morbid, The Kinks were funny. “Dead End Street” is, in my estimation, a masterpiece. It’s a song about all the promise and hope of the 1960s not trickling down to the British working classes.

The gallows humour of the lyrics describes cold apartments, unappealing breakfast tables and a general sense of hopelessness. The intro is striking, and it’s no wonder Noel Gallagher swiped it for an Oasis song. I would’ve done the same.

8. “Death of a Clown”

Dave Davies is a marvellous singer, songwriter and guitarist. It’s a credit to his talent and confidence that he’s been willing, often, to play second fiddle to his brother, Ray.

“Death of a Clown” is one of the most beautifully haunting songs by The Kinks. It was sung and written, mostly by Dave Davies. It has a certain mournful magic about it.

7. “All Day and All of the Night”

Dave Davies might’ve also invented the use of the distorted guitar on rock songs. Or, at the very least, he put it on a hit record. He achieved the effect by punching holes into a guitar amp. And he came up with the kind of guitar riff that makes listeners feel like they’ve fueled up on a gallon of energy drinks.

In many ways, the riff-based rock that defined 1970s hard-rock begins here. And it’s all served up with a wink and a smile.

6. “Strangers”

You need to dig through The Kinks’ entire discography! I promise that you’ll be rewarded! “Strangers” is one of the songs that wasn’t a hit. It became relatively well-known when it was featured in a Wes Anderson movie.

“Strangers” tells the story of brothers Ray and Dave. They’re always at war, and always forced to work together. But the lyrics and incredible singing provided by Dave Davies make this, really, one of the great spiritual rock songs of the early 1970s. Incredible!

5. “A Well Respected Man”

Ah, to possess Ray Davies’ wit! It’d be something of which even Oscar Wilde might be envious.

The Kinks and the Davies brothers were never comfortable being part of Swinging London. No other song better captures the time or does a better job of making fun of the clothes-obsessed rockers than “A Well Respected Man.

4. “Lola”

Ray Davies could hear a memorable melody a hundred miles away. There’s a reason why “Lola” is still featured in so many movies nowadays. It has to do with the melody and Dave Davies’ power chords.

But the lyrics are astounding, especially for the 1960s. It’s humorous and slightly heartbreaking. Likely not many of those who bought “Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One” picked up on it but it mattered little in the song’s success.

3. “You Really Got Me”

You can easily tell that The Kinks, often, just wanted to be a garage-rock band. “You Really Got Me” is a song that paints away all of the unessential parts of a pop song and reduces it to pure excitement.

Sure, Van Halen covered it later to great success. And, while it’s a great performance, all of the tricks that mattered were already in this garage-rock gem.

2. “Waterloo Sunset”

Ray Davies could be serious and romantic. It didn’t often come to this, of course. But on the occasion that this mood struck him, it was usually accompanied by great songwriting.

“Waterloo Sunset” is an absolute gem, a marvellous songwriting achievement. From the melody to the vocal delivery, from the storytelling to the choruses, “Waterloo Sunset” is one of the great songs of the 1960s.

1. “Sunny Afternoon”

“Sunny Afternoon” is another miracle of the song. And, in many ways, it captures what The Kinks did best. It’s humorous songwriting that is hard to resist. It paints Ray Davies as a man who is never quite ready to join the party with a clear conscience.

“Sunny Afternoon” talks about beautiful days and horrendous problems for the wealthy elite, all while delivering positively spell-binding music. The Kinks is one of the great bands of all time, indeed!