Song Details
- Album Release Date: 1966-10-28
- Album Name: Face to Face (Bonus Track Edition)
Song Meaning (Interpretation) of “Big Black Smoke – Stereo Mix” by The Kinks
The song “Big Black Smoke” by The Kinks captures the mood of people around the world in the mid-1960s. It paints a picture of a world full of tension and fear, as war looms on the horizon, joy and hope overshadowed by dark clouds of violence and destruction. The war’s ominous presence is heard throughout the song, manifesting in the instruments as the drums rumble ominously and searing guitars create a wall of noise.
The lyrics also reflect this atmosphere, depicting a people “making plans to run away” from the war and its consequences. The chorus in particular captures this sentiment, as it speaks of a “big black smoke”- a symbol of the devastation that war brings and an ever-growing danger. The verses also capture the sense of fear and dread that people can feel when facing a threatening situation, desperate to do anything to escape the “madness and confusion” of war.
In the end, the song serves as a warning to people in the mid-1960s of the terrible consequences of war. It is a reminder not to let fear and panic take over, but to stay strong and fight against the darkness that threatens to overwhelm.