Legendary British band The Kinks have marked the 60th anniversary of their classic hit “Sunny Afternoon” with the release of a new official video. Written by Ray Davies, the song was originally released on June 3, 1966, and has since become one of the defining tracks of British popular music and the “Swinging London” era.
Upon its release, “Sunny Afternoon” quickly became a major success thanks to its effortless charm, witty social commentary and unmistakably British character. The song helped soundtrack the summer of 1966, a year that also saw England win the FIFA World Cup, further cementing its place in British cultural history.
The new video was directed by Lucy Dawkins and Tom Readdy for Yes Please Productions, offering a fresh visual interpretation of a song that continues to resonate with audiences six decades after its original release.
“Sunny Afternoon” remains one of The Kinks’ signature songs and a key milestone in the band’s evolution, signalling the more sophisticated and distinctly British songwriting approach that would define much of their later work.
