“The Informer,” penned by the legendary Ray Davies and released by The Kinks, delves into a shadowy world of suspicion and fractured loyalty. This track from their 1993 album Phobia showcases Davies’s signature storytelling, painting a vivid picture of two old acquaintances meeting under a cloud of mistrust. Exploring themes of betrayal, fear, and the corrosive nature of paranoia, the lyrics to the song “Informer” resonate with a timeless tension.
The song opens with an unsettling reunion in a familiar setting – a bar. “Isn’t it strange meeting you here / Two old friends,” the lyrics begin, immediately establishing a sense of unease. The narrator’s surprise at seeing this old friend is palpable, given their shared history and the friend’s supposed exile “across the border.” This sets the stage for a tense confrontation, hinting at a past betrayal that hangs heavy in the air. The line, “I know you’re on the run, you shouldn’t be here / But do you feel the fear When you meet an old friend and the enemy’s near,” underscores the perilous situation and the emotional stakes involved. It’s not just a friendly catch-up; it’s a clandestine meeting fraught with danger.
Davies masterfully uses contrasting imagery to highlight the hypocrisy and internal conflict of the characters. The juxtaposition of “going to church on Sundays / After getting right out of it on a Saturday night” speaks to a flawed morality and a struggle with guilt. The setting further amplifies the tension: “Just two people having a beer / But on either side there is so much anger / And so much fear.” This stark contrast between the mundane act of sharing a drink and the underlying emotions creates a powerful atmosphere of unease. They are “just a couple of losers putting the world to right,” suggesting a shared sense of disillusionment and perhaps desperation.
The core of the song’s narrative emerges in the accusatory verses. The lyrics directly address the friend’s betrayal: “The word is out that you are the informer / Who gave me away without so much as a fight.” This revelation is delivered with a chilling calmness, highlighting the narrator’s resignation and perhaps a desire for closure. The repeated lines, “I’ll be the one who’s Gonna take you home tonight,” take on a sinister tone, suggesting not a friendly escort but a forced reckoning. The song concludes on this ambiguous and unsettling note, leaving the listener to ponder the fate of the informer and the broken bonds of friendship.
Chord file for The Informer song providing basic musical structure
Complete Lyrics to “The Informer” by The Kinks:
Isn't it strange meeting you here
Two old friends
Just sitting down quietly drinking a beer
But knowing your past the way that I do
After all this time I'm surprised
You'd even come to this rendezvous
They say you went and moved across the border
So it's hard to believe
That you're sitting here with me tonight
I know you're on the run, you shouldn't be here
But do you feel the fear
When you meet an old friend and the enemy's near
It's strange we always go to church on Sundays
After getting right out of it on a Saturday night
And if we stay here too long, I know that we'll quarrel
And end up having a fight
Just a couple of losers putting the world to right
Just two people having a beer
But on either side there is so much anger
And so much fear
Just two people trying to get by
But we're torn apart
Because of different pressures
From different sides
I hear you're on the run from law and order
But you had to show up
'Cos you knew it was a matter of pride
But beliefs aside, religion apart
Did you ever think about all the suffering you caused
And all the broken hearts?
The word is out that you are the informer
Who gave me away without so much as a fight
So be a good friend
And let me take you quietly without a fight
I'll be the one who's
Gonna take you home tonight
I'll be the one who's
Gonna take you home tonight“The Informer” is a compelling example of Ray Davies’s songwriting prowess. Through its evocative lyrics and tense atmosphere, the song explores the dark side of human relationships and the lingering consequences of betrayal. It remains a powerful and thought-provoking track within The Kinks’ extensive and influential catalog.
