On This Day, Aug. 4, 1964 …
The Kinks released their third single, “You Really Got Me,” in the U.K., where it became their first #1 hit and stayed on top for two weeks.
The tune was released in America that September and became a breakthrough hit for the band, peaking at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Guitarist Dave Davies created the distorted guitar sound in the tune by slicing up the speaker on his amp with a razor blade. The highly influential track has been described as proto-punk and early heavy metal.
The track hit the charts once again in 1978 after Van Halen covered it for their self-titled debut album and released it as their debut single. The Van Halen version peaked at #36 on the Hot 100.
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