The Kinks Perform “Lola” Live In 1970 And It’s More Than Refreshing…

L – O – L – A

Although this song is about a romantic encounter with a transvestite, The Kinks‘ “Lola” became Number 9 on the American Billboard Hot 100 and Number 2 on the UK Singles Chart in 1970.

Granted the story behind the song is quite interesting and shocking, but it is rumored that this song was inspired by a real encounter with a transvestite by Ray Davies, lead singer, in Soho, London. Who knows? Sometimes you fall in love with the person, not the body, right?

“Girls will be boys, and boys will be girls. It’s a mixed-up, muddled-up, shook-up world, except for Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola.”

Clearly this song accumulated its fame from the catchy and fun beat, rather than the lyrics themselves, but it was a brave move for Ray to publicize his potential experience.

Fun Fact: The line “You drink champagne and it tastes just like cherry cola” was recorded as “it tastes just like Coca-Cola.” The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) refused to play it because of the commercial reference, so Ray Davies flew from New York to London to change the lyric and get the song on the air.

Regardless of the fact that the Kinks were not generally related to this concealed lifestyle before this was released, this song resulted in a more open minded atmosphere for gays and straights to put themselves into one another’s shoes. 

+ Lola Lyrics +

I met her in a club down in North Soho
Where you drink champagne and it tastes just like cherry cola
C-O-L-A cola

She walked up to me and she asked me to dance
I asked her name and in a dark brown voice she said, “Lola”
L-O-L-A Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola

Well, I’m not the world’s most physical guy
But when she squeezed me tight she nearly broke my spine
Oh my Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola

Well, I’m not dumb but I can’t understand
Why she walk like a woman and talk like a man
Oh my Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola

Well, we drank champagne and danced all night
Under electric candlelight
She picked me up and sat me on her knee
And said, “Little boy won’t you come home with me?”

Well, I’m not the world’s most passionate guy
But when I looked in her eyes
Well, I almost fell for my Lola
Lo lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola

Lola lo lo lo lo Lola lo lo lo lo Lola

I pushed her away, I walked to the door
I fell to the floor, I got down on my knees
I looked at her, and she at me

Well that’s the way that I want it to stay
And I always want it to be that way for my Lola
Lo lo lo lo Lola

Girls will be boys, and boys will be girls
It’s a mixed-up, muddled-up, shook-up world
Except for Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola

Well I left home just a week before
And I’ve never ever kissed a woman before
But Lola smiled and took me by the hand
And said, “Little boy, gonna make you a man”

Well I’m not the world’s most masculine man
But I know what I am and I’m glad I’m a man
And so is Lola
Lo lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola

Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola
Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola
Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola
Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola
Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola
Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola, lo lo lo lo Lola…