The Kinks, Lola | Controversial Songs

In the 9th edition of Controversial Songs (2024), we explore the controversy behind the “Lola” by The Kinks.

Bring on the controversy! Controversial Songs is a column that provides background information and insight into songs that raised eyebrows, stirred the pot, or were banned. The more censorship censor$hit, the better! The records that grace Controversial Songs are old and new alike, with all genres of music welcome.  In the 9^th edition of Controversial Songs (2024), we explore the controversy behind the “Lola” by The Kinks.

“Well, I’m not dumb, but I can’t understand / Why she walks like a woman and talks like a man.” Hmm, Ray Davies, that is thought-provoking. In The Kinks classic, “Lola”, from the 1970 album, Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Pt. 1, Ray and the listeners discover that the ‘woman’ Ray is with is a cross-dresser, transgender, or exploring their identity.  There is gender fluidity, which makes “Lola” a song progressive for the time.  Throughout, lyrics address gender fluidity and sexual identity.  In the second verse, Davies sings, “Girls will be boys and boys will be girls / It’s a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world / Except for Lola.” Before that, Davies learns who Lola is on the bridge: “I pushed her away / I walked to the door / I fell to the floor / I got down on my knees / Well, I looked at her, and she at me.” In the final chorus, the biggest revelation of Lola’s identity occurs: “But I know what I am  and I’m glad I’m a man / And so is Lola.”  Word.

You would think that the LGBTQ+ elements explored in “Lola” would make it controversial and cause the song to be banned.  ‘Censor-shit’ did occur, but not for the expected reasons.  “Lola” was a rousing success – it peaked at no. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. So, why was it censored and earned the controversial stamp if it wasn’t for a man’s unknowing encounter with a trans person?

“I met her in a club down in old Soho

Where you drink champagne, and it tastes just like Coca-Cola

C-O-L-A, Cola.”

The offensive lyric is Coca-Cola. Because The Kinks were brand-specific, the BBC banned ” Lola ” because of Coca-Cola – they have a no-advertising policy. Still, a drunken encounter with a trans person, unbeknownst to the protagonist of the song, is progressive for 1970.  Davies sings the song he ‘solely’ composed expressively.  The guitars sound magnificent, anchored by big, fat bass, and electrifying drums.  The melodies are tuneful, with every mention of Lola sounding incredibly memorable. North of five decades later,  “Lola” by The Kinks is considered a masterpiece. Again, it’s hard to believe that Coca-Cola is what technically earned it a controversial label.

The Kinks  // Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Pt. 1 // Sanctuary Records Group Ltd.  // 1970

The Kinks, Lola: Controversial Songs No. 9 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sanctuary Records Group Ltd.; Tazz Vaughn via Pexels; Elena Arboleda Salas, nikolaytaman90, Tumisu from Pixabay; christian buehner on Unsplash]