Ray Davies has revealed how his instinct for imperfect, energetic sound has repeatedly shaped his career, from The Kinks' breakthrough single to his 2017 solo album Americana. When PYE Records first recorded 'You Really Got Me' with a polished, Phil Spector-style production, Davies refused to let it be released and threatened to quit the music business, prompting the label to fund a rawer re-recording that became one of rock's most influential tracks.

Davies said the original session cost £200 to redo, and figures such as Bruce Springsteen collaborator Steve Van Zandt have since praised the re-recorded version as one of the most important tracks in rock history. Decades later, working on Americana, Davies avoided using session musicians because he felt their playing was too polished, opting instead for a touring band, the Jayhawks, in search of "happy mistakes" and natural chemistry. Although he called them great musicians, he ultimately found their dynamic wasn't the right fit for the record he wanted to make.