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The Kinks – Lola

About the Song

In the annals of rock and roll history, The Kinks stand as one of the most influential and groundbreaking bands of all time. Fronted by the enigmatic and charismatic Ray Davies, the group crafted a unique sound that blended British Invasion sensibilities with a distinctly English flair, pioneering genres like power pop and proto-punk along the way. Among their extensive and celebrated discography, one song stands out as a true gem, a raucous and infectious anthem of forbidden love and youthful rebellion: “Lola.”

Released in 1970, “Lola” marked a turning point for The Kinks, both musically and commercially. The band’s previous albums had explored themes of social commentary and disillusionment, but “Lola” injected a dose of raw energy and unbridled fun into their sound. The song’s opening riff, a simple yet irresistible guitar line, immediately sets the tone for the rollicking adventure that lies ahead.

Lola, the song’s titular character, is a captivating and enigmatic figure, a femme fatale who lures the narrator into a whirlwind of illicit romance. Davies’ lyrics are a masterclass in storytelling, painting vivid pictures of seedy nightclubs, stolen moments, and the thrill of the forbidden. The song’s narrator is caught in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, torn between his desire for Lola and his fear of societal consequences.

“Lola” is not just a catchy rock and roll tune; it’s a social commentary on the double standards of the time. The song’s protagonist is judged and ostracized for his relationship with Lola, who is seen as a deviant and a threat to the established order. Davies challenges these societal norms, exposing the hypocrisy and judgment that often cloud our perceptions of others.

The song’s infectious energy and catchy melody have made it a staple of The Kinks’ live performances, and it has been covered by numerous artists over the years. However, no one has quite captured the raw energy and emotional intensity of Davies’ original rendition.

“Lola” is a timeless classic, a rock and roll anthem that captures the essence of youthful rebellion, forbidden love, and the thrill of defying societal norms. With its infectious melodies, clever lyrics, and raw energy, “Lola” is a song that will continue to be enjoyed by music lovers for generations to come.

Video 

Lyrics: Lola

I met her in a club down in old Soho
Where you drink champagne and it tastes just like cherry-cola [LP version – Coca-Cola:]
C O L A cola
She walked up to me and she asked me to dance
I asked her her name and in a dark brown voice she said Lola
L O L A Lola la-la-la-la LolaWell I’m not the world’s most physical guy
But when she squeezed me tight she nearly broke my spine
Oh my Lola la-la-la-la Lola
Well I’m not dumb but I can’t understand
Why she walked like a woman and talked like a man
Oh my Lola la-la-la-la Lola la-la-la-la LolaWell 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
La-la-la-la Lola la-la-la-la Lola
Lola la-la-la-la Lola la-la-la-la Lola
I pushed her away
I walked to the door
I fell to the floor
I got down on my knees
Then I looked at her and she at meWell that’s the way that I want it to stay
And I always want it to be that way for my Lola
La-la-la-la Lola
Girls will be boys and boys will be girls
It’s a mixed up muddled up shook up world except for Lola
La-la-la-la LolaWell I left home just a week before
And I’d never ever kissed a woman before
But Lola smiled and took me by the hand
And said dear boy I’m 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
La-la-la-la Lola la-la-la-la Lola
Lola la-la-la-la Lola la-la-la-la Lola

 

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SHE WAS A BRIDE AT FIFTEEN, A MOTHER AT SIXTEEN, AND THE FIRST WOMAN NASHVILLE EVER HAD TO CALL “ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR” — THEN SHE NAMED HER BABY AFTER THE BEST FRIEND SHE’D JUST BURIED, AND THAT BABY SPENT A LIFETIME MAKING SURE NEITHER VOICE WAS FORGOTTEN. Loretta Lynn came out of Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, with nothing but a coal miner’s last name and a voice that could pin a grown man to his chair. Married before she could drive. Four children by twenty-two. Then she wrote songs that scared Nashville half to death — about cheating husbands, birth control pills, and women who’d had enough. Sixteen number-ones. Presidential Medal of Freedom. The whole world calling her the Coal Miner’s Daughter. In 1963, her best friend Patsy Cline died in a plane crash. The next year, Loretta gave birth to twins. She named one of them Patsy. That little girl grew up backstage, between tour buses and honky-tonks. She formed The Lynns with her twin sister Peggy. Earned CMA nominations. Then she did something quieter and heavier — she stepped behind the glass and co-produced her mother’s final albums alongside Johnny Cash’s son. Loretta died October 4, 2022. That first birthday without her, Patsy woke up reaching for a phone call that wasn’t coming — her mama singing “Happy Birthday,” the way she always had. Does knowing Loretta named her daughter after a ghost she never stopped grieving make “I Fall to Pieces” feel like it belongs to both of them now?

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