The cultural legacy of The Kinks’ 1970 classic “Lola” has found itself at the center of a fresh debate after electronic musician Moby labeled the track “gross and transphobic.” The comments, which appeared in a recent installment of The Guardian‘s “Honest Playlist” column, have prompted a sharp response from Dave Davies, the Kinks’ guitarist and co-founder, who defended his brother Ray Davies’ songwriting and the song’s historical significance.
The Controversy Sparked by Moby
In his discussion regarding songs he can no longer listen to, Moby remarked that “Lola” appeared on a Spotify shuffle, leading him to reflect on the track’s lyrical content. “I thought the lyrics were gross and transphobic,” Moby stated. “I like their early music, but I was really taken aback at how unevolved the lyrics are.” While Moby did not explicitly highlight the specific lines that triggered his critique, the song is well-known for its narrative about a romantic encounter with a person who identifies as transgender, featuring the iconic—and often debated—line: “Girls will be boys and boys will be girls/ It’s a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world, except for Lola.”
Dave Davies Defends the Kinks
The backlash from the Kinks’ camp was swift. Dave Davies took to social media to express his frustration, calling the accusations “insulting.” To bolster his defense, he shared a personal statement from legendary transgender punk icon Jayne County. County, a pioneering figure in the queer punk scene, offered a starkly different interpretation of the song, viewing it as a moment of progress rather than prejudice.
Jayne County’s Perspective on “Lola”
County’s statement highlights the song’s role in breaking social taboos during a time when such topics were relegated to the shadows. “When I heard the song, I was both thrilled and amazed that The Kinks would be singing a song about a trans person,” County wrote. She further credited the track for helping her and other fans feel seen, noting that while mainstream radio might have missed the nuance, the underground community recognized it as a breakthrough moment. “Lola will always be one of those songs that for me ‘broke the ice’… It makes it sound perfectly natural to be singing a song about a ‘girl’ named Lola!”
See the full post from Dave Davies regarding this exchange below:
to @thelittleidiot Moby’s criticism of our song LOLA these are the words sent to me and Ray from our dear friend trans icon @jaynecounty27 #JayneCounty. I am highly insulted that MOBY would accuse my brother of being ‘unevolved’ or transphobic in any way. https://t.co/hBFmLPdMKH pic.twitter.com/qYcxoMc03d
— Dave Davies (@davedavieskinks) March 22, 2026
