Little Green Amp by Dave Davies

Album: I Will Be Me (2013)

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Songfacts®:

This raw track pays homage to the amplifier that Dave famously slashed with a razor blade to get the fuzzy sound heard on the Kinks breakthrough hit "You Really Got Me." The rock legend explained that at the time he was slicing up his amp, he was fuming as his parents had forbidden him from seeing his childhood sweetheart, whom was pregnant with his child. "I wanted to write a song that was funny but had something to do with growing up," he explained. "Y'know, this kid, me, could've used the razor blade to cut his wrists because of his separation, but...in the end, used his anger to slice out something new or creative. It's a sort of message: We can use negative impulses to our advantage."

Sue Sheehan became pregnant by Dave when he was 16. Her scandalized parents sent her away and Dave's longing for her inspired many of his compositions including the single "Susannah's Still Alive." The couple finally was reconciled in 1993 when Dave met his daughter, Tracey, for the first time.

Comments: 1

Lgbpop from Florida UsaThis song also gives a passing nod to the song that the Little Green Amp was used on to get the fuzzy, distorted guitar sound - You Really Got Me. Listen to the first five chords - they're the same as in YRGM, but reversed. Just another one of Dave's little "in jokes" that he has used over the years in his solo work.

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