The Kinks Show Humor Even in Tough Situations

There are songs that fade into the background over time, and then there are songs that keep coming back, sometimes in ways no one expects. “Lola” by The Kinks falls into that second category. Decades after its release, it still sparks conversation, not because it was forgotten, but because it never really left.

The latest round came when Moby criticized the track, calling it outdated and offensive. That kind of comment might land differently if the song were obscure, but “Lola” has long been part of the band’s identity. It’s one of those records that carries its own history wherever it goes.

Instead of letting the criticism pass quietly, Dave Davies responded in a way that felt very much in line with the band’s personality—direct, a bit amused, and unwilling to take things too seriously. Even in a tense moment, there was still room for humor.

Humor as a First Reaction

Dave Davies didn’t respond with a long explanation or careful phrasing. He went straight to something more instinctive, even quoting his brother Ray Davies asking, “who the f*ck is Moby?” It wasn’t polished, but it felt real, and that’s often been the band’s way.

That reaction says a lot about how The Kinks have always handled pressure. They never leaned into being overly serious, even when the situation might call for it. There’s a kind of grounded confidence there, where humor becomes a way to push back without overthinking it.

It also reflects how they saw the song from the beginning. For them, “Lola” wasn’t written to provoke or offend. It was observational, drawn from real experiences, and delivered with a light touch. That tone hasn’t changed, even if the way people interpret it has.

Context That Gets Lost Over Time

When “Lola” came out in 1970, it didn’t exist in the same cultural landscape as today. The song told a story that was unusual for its time, but it wasn’t framed as something hostile. If anything, it leaned toward curiosity and acceptance, even if wrapped in humor.

Dave Davies has pointed out that people were shocked back then, but the reaction wasn’t framed in modern terms. The language and categories people use now didn’t exist in the same way. That difference matters, especially when judging older work through a newer lens.

There’s also the band’s own history to consider. The Kinks weren’t strangers to themes of identity or ambiguity. They had already explored those ideas in earlier songs, and their personal lives and collaborations reflected a broader openness than people might assume from a single lyric taken out of context.

Support From Those Who Lived It

One of the more telling responses didn’t come from critics or historians, but from Jayne County. She praised “Lola” for bringing something hidden into public view. For her, the song wasn’t offensive—it was revealing.

That perspective shifts the conversation. It suggests that the song’s impact isn’t one-dimensional. While some hear something outdated, others remember how rare it was for a mainstream band to even touch on the subject in the first place, let alone do it in a way that reached a wide audience.

In the end, The Kinks’ response stays consistent with who they’ve always been. They don’t rewrite their past to fit the present, and they don’t abandon the humor that shaped their music. Even when things get tense, they keep that same tone—steady, slightly amused, and still very much their own.