The Kinks’ guitarist Dave Davies has responded to Moby’s criticism of the band’s song ‘Lola’. He addressed the accusations in a statement posted on X.
Davies’ response came after Moby called the lyrics of ‘Lola’ “gross and transphobic” in a recent Guardian interview. Moby stated he could no longer listen to the song.
“Regarding Moby’s criticism of our song LOLA in a recent Guardian interview, these are the words sent to me and Ray from our dear friend trans icon Jayne County,” Davies said. “I am highly insulted that Moby would accuse my brother of being ‘unevolved’ or transphobic in any way.”
Davies included a statement from transgender singer, actress and artist Jayne County. She offered a different perspective on the song’s impact.
“When I heard the song I was both thrilled and amazed that the Kinks would be singing a song about a trans person and wondered if anyone else had picked up on it,” County said. “Who was cool or hip enough to realise what The Kinks we’re singing about! Lola will always be one of those songs that for me, broke the ice, so to speak! A song that breaks down barriers and brings a used to be, hush, hush subject to the forefront and makes it sound perfectly natural to be singing a song about a ‘girl’ named Lola!”
County emphasized the song’s positive significance for the transgender community.
“Lola will always be a very special song to me,” she continued. “With this song, The Kinks projected themselves into the modern world. The real world! A world full of all kinds of people! Bisexual, Gay, Trans, not just a world full of straight heterosexuals! Lola broke down the doors of narrow-mindedness and I will always be grateful and happy that The Kinks gave me this incredible song with such a great story! Being Trans myself, this will always be a very special song for me.”
The controversy highlights the ongoing debate about how classic rock songs should be interpreted through a modern lens. This particularly applies to LGBTQ+ themes and representation.
Louder Sound reported that “Lola” was released in 1970. The song tells the story of a young man’s encounter with Lola, who is revealed to be a drag queen or trans woman in some interpretations. The song became a major commercial success, reaching number one in the UK and the top 10 in the US. This made it one of The Kinks’ biggest hits.
The song’s bold subject matter was considered groundbreaking for its time. National Today noted that many viewed “Lola” as a brave statement on gender identity during an era when such topics were rarely addressed in mainstream popular music. The track’s willingness to explore themes of sexual and gender ambiguity set it apart from other rock songs of the early 1970s.
Jayne County, who defended the song in her letter to the Davies brothers, has significant credentials within the transgender and punk rock communities. Louder Sound revealed that County was formerly known as Wayne County and fronted Wayne County & the Electric Chairs. She was a regular performer at CBGB in the 1970s and began identifying as a woman in 1979. This made her a pioneering figure in both punk rock and transgender visibility.
The exchange between Moby and Davies has sparked broader discussions within music circles about re-examining classic rock through contemporary social perspectives. National Today observed that the controversy raises questions about balancing modern scrutiny with historical context and artistic merit when evaluating songs from previous decades.
