The Kinks' Dave Davies Fires Back at Moby Over 'Lola' Lyrics Criticism
In a recent interview with The Guardian, musician Moby, 60, labeled The Kinks' 1970 hit song "Lola" as "gross" and "transphobic," sparking a heated response from the band's lead guitarist, Dave Davies. The controversy has ignited a debate over the song's legacy and its portrayal of transgender themes in music history.
Moby's Comments and Davies' Reaction
Moby, known for his electronic music and animal rights activism, was asked to name a song he can no longer listen to, and he quickly pointed to "Lola." He stated, "I like their early music, but I was really taken aback at how unevolved the lyrics are." The song, written by Ray Davies, Dave's brother, tells the story of a young man's romantic encounter with Lola, who he later realizes is a transgender woman, referred to at the time as a cross-dresser.
Dave Davies, 79, took to social media platform X to express his outrage. He wrote, "I am highly insulted that Moby would accuse my brother of being 'unevolved' or transphobic in any way." Davies emphasized that he learned of the criticism from Jayne County, a transgender icon and friend, who praised the song's impact on her life and the LGBTQ+ community.
Groundbreaking Impact of 'Lola'
Jayne County, recognized as the first openly transgender rock singer, shared a note with Davies highlighting how "Lola" influenced her own songwriting and broke down barriers. She wrote, "When I heard the song I was both thrilled and amazed that the Kinks would be singing a song about a trans person." County added that the track inspired her song "Wonder Woman" and expressed gratitude for its role in challenging narrow-mindedness.
Davies further defended the song by mentioning that avant-garde groups like The Cockettes, a psychedelic gay liberation theatre troupe, supported The Kinks on tour. He questioned Moby's motives, asking, "Why is Moby being so rude about this simple song? We're not transphobic. Why does he have to have a go at us?"
Brotherly Support and Further Criticism
In a conversation with Rolling Stone, Dave Davies revealed that when he discussed the issue with Ray Davies, his brother responded with, "Who the f*** is Moby?" Dave acknowledged Moby's success but criticized his music, stating, "I didn't particularly like his music. And I don't like him because he's throwing all this shit up about something that shouldn't bother him." Despite this, Davies noted his appreciation for Moby's animal rights work, but maintained that the musician is misinterpreting The Kinks' intentions.
The song "Lola" achieved significant commercial success, reaching No. 9 on the U.S. charts and No. 2 in the U.K., and has been celebrated for its progressive themes in the context of its era. This incident underscores ongoing discussions about art, interpretation, and cultural sensitivity in the music industry.
