@@frankholstein4499 LOL You can tell who never watched Rocky Horror picture show or RuPaul.. You most CERTAINLY can get the walk down. Especially if you wear heels.
"I know what I am and I'm glad I'm a man, and so is Lola" is the greatest double entendre in rock lyric history. You can take it one way, if you're in deep denial, or....
I was in the US Army when this song came out. The first time I heard it I was floored. I absolutely loved it! To me the fact that conservative Armed Forces Radio was playing it made it even better. I still love it over 50 years later. The Kinks are an underrated British Invasion band but they were huge in the ‘60s and ‘70s when this song was released. Keep in mind they were competing against bands like the Beatles and the Stones.
In the 90s I watched an interview with the songwriter of Lola, Kinks lead singer Ray Davies. He was asked what the public reaction was when this song came out in 1970 and he said quietly and straight-faced “Nobody understood it”. He said that like he was bewildered.
@gigi v I’m sure there were people who got the song most definitely, I’m assuming he meant the majority of the record buying public did not. That certainly seemed true in America.
And a giant hit that was all over the radio in my Midwestern small town! Which broadcast out to the farmlands. Farmers’ daughters were dancing to this at sock hops and slumber parties, and so were the farmers’ sons. There’s nothing new under the sun.
I'm a Boy by The Who was earlier and Arnold Layne by Pink Floyd was about a cross dresser, there were a few songs in the 50s and 60s that at the very least referenced homosexuality, Tutti Fruitti, Jailhouse Rock and The Beatles You've Got To Hide Your Love Away was about Brian Epstien their at the time manager and how he had to keep his sexuality in the closet.
The diversity of the music in the 70's was awesome. I was lucky to have grown up then and enjoy reactors like you two discovering great music of the 70's. Thanks.
Too right it was, classical, jazz, Mexicali ,country, blues, rock, psychedelia, ballads, comedic, folk, protest all in the top forty 65/75 the eclectic decade of brilliant music.
It wasn't a "progressive song" it was written as a rib for their manager who was so drunk one night at a gig in Soho he danced with a transvestite, it was a throw away song written to ridicule the manager who was a friend of theirs, lines like "well I left home just a week before and I never ever kissed a woman before" and "well I'm not dumb but I can't understand why she walked like a woman and talked like a man" are lines obviously written to poke fun at the guy.
@@thatsjustlikeyouropinionma3025 j mean, if you want to look at it that way sure maybe. But it is also a song that ends with the narrator and Lola in a happy relationship (or at least a fun encounter) without judging lola whatsoever. And theres a follow up song by the Kinks where the narrator wants to bring Lola home to their parents. Like ya you could say its "just a joke BRO!", but it is a song in the 70s that has a non judgemental relationship between a man and either a drag queen or a trans woman, so yeah it's pretty progressive song. So, that's just like, your opinion man (I'm a dudeist priest, like I'm gonna pass up using that phrase here
@@thatsjustlikeyouropinionma3025 That’s part of what makes it progressive actually. The song makes fun of him for being oblivious and being a virgin, but it doesn’t make fun of him for being with her or being into her. More importantly, it doesn’t make fun of her at all.
@@thatsjustlikeyouropinionma3025 Sorry, wrong on both main points."Lola" was never a "throwaway song". Ray knew it was gold and he would never have bothered to fly to New York to substitute the original recorded lyric of "Coca-Cola" with "Cherry-Cola" to satisfy the BBC's blanket-ban on advertising had he viewed the song as such. As far as not being "progressive" - are you serious? A song about the messy attempted seduction of a virgin by a transvestite, and the fact that the virgin almost fell for this "babe".... if that's not progressive in any era, let alone 1970, what is?
One of my favourite bands who started in the 1960s! Songs like You Really Got Me, All of the Day and All of the Night, Waterloo Sunset, Tired of Waiting, Days, Dedicated Follower of Fashion, they had some really fantastic songs and such a distinctive sound. They were formed in 1963 by two brothers Ray and Dave Davies. They were often on Top of the Pops in the UK and we loved them. Lola is a great song too - it came out in 1970 and was a huge hit - I had this as a single along with the other songs I've just mentioned. Thanks so much for your reaction, guys, do hope you'll react to some of the songs. Cheers.
Some great songs there for sure but as much as they are all great songs I think my favourite Kinks song is one if their more left fit Beatlesesque songs Shangri-la I found that song so fascinating, Ray Davies was so creative, a bit mad but creative nonetheless
@@simply_psi That is a fantastic song too, trouble is there are just so many that I love, couldn't remember all the titles! Other favs are Till the End of the Day and Where Have All The Good Times Gone, gosh, certainly bring back so many great memories!
@@annemaclean6634 yeah that's what I like about these reaction channels, they open so many great memories of bands I'd not played for a long time, not just the songs reviewed but their entire catalogue, I've definitely added a lot of golden oldies to my playlists over the last couple of years
@@simply_psi You're so right, I've done the same since subscribing to this channel nearly a year ago. But it's not only old stuff, it's hearing new bands that I knew nothing about which is so great. I love rock/metal and I heard Nightwish first here and I love them, downloaded lots of their songs, and another band I've recently discovered is the Mongolian folk/rock/metal band The HU. Really love their songs as they're just so different and the guys have reacted to a few (more to come I'm sure!) on their other channel DUDES TV. Don't know if you're interested but definitely recommend them. Here's a link to Wolf Totem - ruclips.net/video/twN0EZVJhxs/видео.html if you want to check them out. All the best.
I sang this song because I loved the sound before I was old enough to understand the lyrics. Now, 55 years later, when I have long since figured out the lyrics, I love it even more. 🌈
Based on a true story. Their manager got drunk at a club and started dancing with what he thought was a woman. Toward the end of the night, his stubble started showing, but their manager was too drunk to notice.
@@HiramLoki Oh yeah, that's true. BUT.....who's to say the drink "Funky Cold Medina" didn't exist BEFORE Tone Loc wrote a song about it? I mean, even in the lyrics, he found out about it from some OTHER guy....
I am old enough to have heard this on the radio. I don't think the radio songlist people ever understood that "Lola" was actually a transvestite/transsexual. My friends laughed and laughed, but this was still an incredibly real and well written song!
Finally a reaction from the Kinks! A fantastic band of the Davies brothers (Ray, the one who sings and wrote so many pearls of their discography and Dave, great guitarist unfortunately underated) and I hope you will listen to other songs of theirs (I do not mention any 'cause others have already given you many titles). Lola is a great song, I think it's useless to explain the reason for my statement... Thank you very much, you have lifted my day!
Saw the Kinks in concert during the 70s. The stage design involved large moving props which illustrated the theme of their tour. This is a band whose theatrics and musicianship were worth more than the price of admission. Fun, talented, and whose songs will always be a reminder of my childhood and teenage years.
Another great reaction. Loved seeing George smile when he understood the lyrics. You definitely listen to "You Really Got Me" which was the first band to use guitar distortion in a song which you'll hear on the opening rift. The inspiration for the lyrics are based on a real experience that the lead singer, Ray Davies, had after seeing a girl in the audience while he was playing.
Jackie Brenston - "Rocket 88" (1951) Howlin Wolf - "How Many More Years" (1952) Link Wray And His Wray Men - "Rumble" (1958) Just three examples. The Kinks were NOT the first artist to use distortion. (And if you're thinking, "yeah, but no one ever heard of those songs"....listen to "Rumble". It's an instrumental. You may not recognize it by name, but you'll recognize it the first second you hear the music.)
I remember as a little growing up in the 70's, every house I had ever been in had a big ass record player and huge piles of records like this one everywhere. House parties, those records went through some wear and tear!
Another group that I recommend you to listen, if you have not yet taken note, is the Velvet Underground: after listening to any of their songs you will no longer see New York with the eyes of before... Legendary songs are: "Venus in Furs", "Heroin", "Sweet Jane", "Rock'n'Roll", "Pale Blue Eyes", "Sister Ray", "All tomorrow's parties" and "Sunday Morning" (although their entire first debut album is a milestone of everything that happened later in the history of music) And let's not forget Lou Reed's solo career! The famous "Walk on the Wild side", "Perfect day", "Satellite of Love", "Vicious" and the whole concept album "Berlin" (just to give a couple of titles)
I would add the song "oh! Sweet nuthin' ". It may have inspired Free bird's guitar solo and may have Also been inspired by " Hey jude" by The Beatles, because every time I listen to both songs they seem pretty similar
There is a recent biographic art film, sadly only available via apple tv, that is astonishingly fun to watch. And I very much love your list, in that order, although I'm fine if it ends after Sister Ray! And the solo stuff...just as you say. I'll mention the Robert Quine stuff (Blue Mask/Live In Italy) and, really, quite a few really good songs after that, since you were too modest to! :)
@@TimoVERSION Thank you ;) Unfortunately I limited myself to a rather narrow list, but both the Velvet Underground and Lou there would be much more to add!! As for the documentary, I've been dying to see it for weeks but unfortunately I don't have Apple TV and I don't have the slightest idea how to fix it :'(
They have always been in the 'top four' of British rock...the royalty, as it were, also includes the Beatles, The Stones and the Who. They came in even harder than the Stones, and over the years have created a very unique and beautiful legacy. Rock and Roll would be different now, and lesser, without their early assault (You Really Got Me, All Day, etc.), but when things opened up in the pop world right after that, their contributions were right on point; Waterloo Sunset (gorgeous contentment in the city) and Dedicated Follower of Fashion (snark and shade in the city), as noted elsewhere here, are great 60's pop songs. Sadly, after 1970 they couldn't tour the U.S. like the Stones and the Who (for technical American Union rules), and were...under-appreciated for a while, except for a rabid, if small fan base. While they didn't have the big rock star 70's thing their contemporaries did, their music continued to be somewhere between interesting and great. Their 70's music is...quite diverse, but contains some of rock's greatest songs. Schoolboys In Disgrace especially has some great rock music along with their usual British slant on things, but there are gems on each of their...sort of concept/theatrical albums of the time. When you find the right songs, you understand they, in their way, helped make rock better. Cheers!
Such an awesome song and way before it's time. So respectful to Lola. So many people enjoyed it without knowing what it is about, that is what makes this song so awesome. He almost fell for beautiful Lola!! The genius of the song was that Lola didn't have a problem or any issues!!
KINKS, "LOLA"... ONE OF FAVORITE SONGS. MUSIC WAS EVERYTHING THE VOCALS EVERYTHING ELSE. THE LYRICS PRICELESS. 1970 THE MUSIC WAS JUST TAKING OFF, THANKS TOO THE 60'S...
You might be the only reaction channel I've seen catch the pun in the final line! I love this song; I feel like the subversive (For the time) subject matter and the ear-candy quality of the music go hand-in-hand. It's like catching a glimpse of the future of love, seeing the possibilities of passion and desire yet unexpressed by millions of people opening up in the moment of choosing to be what you are, and being overwhelmed by the secret beauty of it all.
Yes, Ian Brooke commented on how the Coca-Cola had to be changed to “cherry cola” for trademark reasons. But the story is interesting how it happened right as they were releasing the album. On Wiki: “The BBC banned the track because the original recording had the words "Coca-Cola" in the lyrics, and the BBC Radio had a policy against product placement. Ray Davies was forced to make a 6,000-mile round-trip flight from New York to London and back on June 3, 1970, interrupting the band's American tour, to re-record those words to the generic "cherry cola" for the album’s release.”
Companies can be weird about stuff like that. When Digital Underground released "The Humpty Dance", Burger King freaked out over the line, "I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom", and those two words ("Burger King") had to be bleeped out every time it was played on the radio or on MTV.
@@philpennington826 Is there a source for that information? There's a First amendment right to talk about a Burger King bathroom in a song. Or any bathroom. Must have been some other reason. If corporations had that legal right to suppress their name then nobody could write a song about anything.
That isn't really a trademark reason. It's a BBC 'no product placement' reason. Coke didn't object as far as I know, and it's fair use anyway: you are entitled to mention products in a song lyric. Or even in a song title, like Kodachrome, or Levi's Jeans,
This song is hilarious! First time I heard it was in a small Cafe in west Hollywood, about 3am. I stopped for breakfast before driving to a job site in Barstow. In the booth at the other end of the Cafe was a group of women or so we thought. When we were about done eating this song came on, that's when we realized that the "women" were not quite what they seemed to be! Because they really, really loved this song!
Honestly the line is still ambiguous with the full context. "I know what I am and I'm glad im a man and sos lola" Could be lola is a man, could be lola is also glad the narrator is a man. Honestly its wonderful double entendre lyricism
AAHHHHH, the late 60's and early 70's, the golden age of Rock. You had to play well and write lyrics that addressed what was happening in the world and fool the clueless censors. Great reaction, I haven't heard this song in many years! Very "Kink"y.
Other great Kinks songs you should react to: -Anytime -Waterloo sunset -Top of the pops -You really got me -All day and all of the night -Rats -Strangers -Juke box music -Wonderboy (A John Lennon's favorite) -Powerman -Victoria -Sunny afternoon
Listening to Anytime would be very strange considering it wasn't released till the box set for Lola came out late last year. You should've included 20th Century Man Get Back in Line Shangrila Autumn Almanac Dead End Street Celluloid Heroes Mr. Big Man and This Time Tomorrow.
I saw The Kinks 3 times in concert in my hometown of Santa Barbara, California (on the Central West Coast) in 1977, 1980 and around 1983 or 1984. Ray Davies would always tease the audience early into their performance with a few chords on his guitar of the song Lola. The audience would just go wild. Dave Davies (Ray Davies younger brother) was an excellent lead guitarist, a good songwriter and a good singer as well.
Next you guys should check out the hit “Walk on the wild side” by Lou Reed- Official video, whether you can put it onscreen or not- You should watch and listen while we watch you guys and listen- it’s got such a groovy beat as well- iconic!💜💜🤘🏼👍
I sorta feel like an idiot. I remember this song when it came out 50+ years ago. But being 12 years old, I didn't understand it but still liked it. It took me 20 years to truly understand and appreciate it. Great Classic Song!!!
Ha Ha!! GREAT reaction as always!!!!!!! I was so happy to see "Kinks" come up on my "BroAction" alert!! The Kinks had a lot of great songs!! "Waterloo sunset," is a great song..... it's ranked number 14 on Rolling Stone's 500 greatest songs of all time!! Also, "Come Dancing" Not only is it an amazing song, but it was inspired by Davies' memories of his older sister who died of a heart attack while dancing at a dance hall. We will all be looking forward to when you get back to them!! Thank you sooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!
re: the backstory of Come Dancing.... omg :| I never knew the story behind it. I always kind of thought of it as just a nod of nostalgia to a club that they had fond memories of from their younger years.... now knowing this is going to make me sad whenever I hear it. Bless.
The Kinks were *amazing*....they did a MUSICAL, with exceptional songs....and then there were their songs about England, and Victoria.....Whenever I meet someone by that name, I am almost forced into singing that song. You HAVE to hear Sunny Afternoon. Immediately. I have decreed it!!! :)
Great song! Now react to the kinks Sunny Afternoon, 'Til the end of the day, Where have all the good times gone, Father Christmas, All day and all of the night, and for some 80's Kinks hit Do it again, Walking on a thin line, and Working at the Factory. All great songs to react to👍👍👍
As always, great reactions from you guys. I think I’m subscribed to a couple of dozen reactors but yours are among my favorites. Watching you makes me want to jump in my car and fly down the highway with the music blasting away. OC, I’m too old for any of that lol, but I *do* feel that way. The Kinks were absolutely a great band, really distinctive style, but back in the day I had not clue what they were singing about. Makes me laugh now at how naive I was. I’ve noticed that you really like George Harrison, so if you haven’t already done so, may I recommend a video that I just stumbled across the other day? It’s George Harrison playing ‘Absolutely Sweet Marie’ at the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary concert. There are a couple of videos but the one that specifically lists the title just as I’ve written it, is the better quality video. I don’t really know how to link it. Totally worth a look and tremendous fun. I really hope you react to it because you’re in for a real treat. Thanks so much for all the great reaction videos you post. They really brighten my day!
I was 14 when I got this song on a 45. Thank heavens my mom and dad couldn't understand the words. That kept me out of a LOT of trouble 'til I turned 18, got a job and moved out...with my 45's and full albums, lol. Still have nearly all of them.
I've always wondered how this song got past the "social censors" in 1970. After all, Another Brick In The Wall Part II by Pink Floyd was banned in 1979 in Boston for being degrading of school teachers. Great song though. Strange story line for 1970! No More Looking Back is my favorite song by The Kinks. Yet another under-rated band.
Because people didn't quite understand it, They never actually mention that Lola is a transvestite, the closest it actually gets is the last line and that can be taken two ways, either the Singer is glad that Lola is a man ( the transvestite way of looking at it ) or that Lola ( a woman ) is glad that the singer is a "man" ( as in masculine ) .
In the UK it was banned by the BBC. Because the lyric contained a mention of Coca Cola. Ban was lifted when they changed the line to Cherry Cola, which did not exist then. The BBC was not concerned about sexuality. As anyone that listened to Round the Horn. Broadcast on the radio Sunday lunchtime from 1965 to1968 and still repeated to this day will know. Which included the use of Polari. The underground homosexual language used before 1967. The year homosexually was legalised in the UK.
Also it was common to call guys with long hair, “girls”, so the’ judging population’, got confused. Also, Lola is treated with respect thru out the song.
It hasn't been played on the radio constantly. It might still get played on classic rock stations, but later generations don't get their music from the radio. My kids are 27 and 30. I raised them on classic rock, rock and roll, punk, folk, singer song writer, psychedelic etc etc etc. But there is still a chance they never heard this song, I couldn't play them everything. When they make playlists for me now I ask them what radio station that the music is played in that they record for me. They just about fall down laughing that I think people listen to the radio to hear new music anymore. So I think you are living under a rock to not realize that the radio isn't where music is primarily listened to any more
Ourstanding guys!! and what I realize now is that no only Lola a great tune but it is one of the great reaction video tunes of all time! Really great!! Thank you! And PS- I remember when this song was released!
I love George's face when the realisation that Lola is a cross-dresser, priceless! Such a fantastic song and a real 'sticking it to the man' in a world of bigots! Love is Love ❤️
OMG! You guys are too awesome! I am McLovin your show! I was in my early teens in the US singing this song with my guy and girl friends and just having a blast! It’s pretty funny to my generation in America to see the reactions of songs we really didn’t have a problem with..not saying you do…I am thoroughly enjoying you two…keep rocking and stay gold!
This song was a BIG hit on top 40 radio in the 70's and still is a staple on classic rock stations. The Kinks are incredible. I'd suggest listening to the whole album, Lola vs. Powerman and the Money-go-round. It is all about the recording industry and is pretty fantastic with incredible music. Lola is just one of the memorable songs from the album. The Kinks are right up there with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones in terms of importance to the history of rock and roll. Check out their albums Authur (the first rock opera), and Muswell Hillbillies. Both are masterpieces along with the ultra-fantastic Lola album.
The Kinks have always been pioneers of rock. i don't think many younger viewers understand just how many great bands sprang up in literally about 2 to 3 years. Beatles/Stones/The Who/The Kinks/Yardbirds/ and countless other great bands. All within about 1963-1966. For something a little more modern by the Kinks try songs like Juke Box Music from the later 70's and the awesome Do It Again from the mid 80's. Good Stuff. The entire Sleepwalker album (with Juke Box Music) is great, sometimes subdued and sometimes in your face, it's the kind of album you could play from start to finish at a party and everyone would like it.
You somehow happened upon an original version of this song! Near the beginning is the line "where you drink champagne and it tastes just like Coca-Cola", well Coca-Cola threatened to sue for using their name and the song was rerecorded saying ".... cherry cola" and most versions we hear have those lyrics. One of my fave Kinks songs, got banned so many stations but somehow escaped the eagle ear of the BBC.
"Met her in a club down in old Soho" is one of those areas of London where girls will be boys and boys will be girls. So if you go know to expect something different. Be wary of some of the clubs too if you don't know the area you may pay more than you think for a drink and it may cost a lot to see the act. Lola is a great song and it's amazing watching people's surprise listening
I remember singing to this when I was about 8. Now I think about it I’m surprised they let it on the radio in those days. For great rock knowledge and fantastic interviews try, The Professor of Rock.
Love your reaction George when you catch the lyrics at the end - your laugh is contagious! Watching Patrick's face is priceless too.☺ Wonderful song by the Kinks. This was sooo popular back in the day. Still so much fun to listen to. Thanks guys for posting this🧡
I’ve seen a lot of reactions to Lola - but the two of you made me smile all the way through the song! A fabulous reaction to a fabulous song. See what you make of Waterloo Sunset.
Wow your reaction to Lola being a geezer....man!!! Priceless. If you love amazing guitar playing Joe Bonamassa is your man. Anything by this guy is untouchable. He played with BB King around the age of 13. I had tickets to see him in EDINBURGH before the bloody lock down. Stay safe guys.
At least you guys got it on the first listening. There are multiple popular reaction channels where this song just flew over the heads of the hosts. When this song came out it was played on the radio constantly. I think it used to play on our school bus on the way to school. I think by middle school I understood the meaning.
The kinks burst upon the UK music scene in 1964 with you really got me and all day and all of the night and had a string of hits in the 60s and into the 70s and beyond they were one of the greatest bands to come out of England at that time up there with the Beatles stones and the who Have a listen to their great music. They were a distinctly London band. Unfortunately they eventually broke up because of the continuing friction between the two Davies brothers
Ah you're in my wheelhouse now! I love funky weird little rock songs and Lola is certainly that! Y'alls reaction was everything. Thanks for this excellent song!
I love all the changes of mood and feeling, intensity and energy in this--BRILLIANT!!!!!!! A SHINING STAR WE CAN ALWAS GAZE AT EVEN IN THE DARKEST OF TIMES!!!!!!!! guess i like it..........
Shocking - especially for 1970, and got played on the radio! First time I heard the term 'Gender Bender' was describing this song. In the early 60's we had The Kinks, The Who, and The Rolling Stones, which are now considered as "Proto-punk" (before Punk was Punk)., but The Kinks got banned from touring in the US by musicians union in '65 or '66 which severely limited their exposure and record sales dropped comparatively. You should hear "You Really Got Me", "All Day And All Of The Night" ("64), and Ray Davies' solo "The Tourist" from his album "Other Peoples' Lives" (2006).
I love the Kinks! Lola was a 70s song but they started in the 60s. Their first hit and what made them worldwide sensations on par with Beatles and Rolling Stones was their song You Really Got Me. It is considered to be the first Heavy Metal song ever.
At the time this song was released as a single, The Kinks were touring the USA, and received information that the BBC in the UK, who were well known for censoring any material they found unsuitable, were going to ban the broadcast of the single on air. However, it wasn't for the reason you might expect: Kinks vocalist Ray Davies had to make a 6,000 mile round trip in order to re-record one line of the song, so that it referred to 'Cherry Cola' and not 'Coca Cola' as the BBC wouldn't allow the broadcast of any kind of advertising or product placement. That done, the single rose to No 2 in the UK singles charts, and not once did the BBC consider banning it due to his content, despite the multiple references to Lola being a transvestite, which they seemed to miss entirely!
Great reaction to very interesting song from an interesting experience. I remember when the song first came out, and I loved the music, But I never paid much attention to the lyrics and being just a naive kid, I had little knowledge of such things. My friend's older brother explained it to me.
The importance of this song in the history of rock music can't be overstated. Legendary. 🤘
the Kinks are definitely in my top 10 bands
Totes agree!
The Kinks as a whole don't get the respect they deserve.
@@chrisd7047 Agreed 💯% 🤘
Knowing the surprise in no way decreases the please in listening to the song.
The looks on your faces were priceless when you figured out Lola is a man 😊😂 Great song, great reaction!
I've been listening to this song for decades! I should have paid better attention to the words 😂 that's awesome!!
Lola was a cross dresser. You can't change your natural gait. "She walks like a woman...".
@@frankholstein4499 LOL You can tell who never watched Rocky Horror picture show or RuPaul.. You most CERTAINLY can get the walk down. Especially if you wear heels.
"I know what I am and I'm glad I'm a man, and so is Lola" is the greatest double entendre in rock lyric history. You can take it one way, if you're in deep denial, or....
I was in the US Army when this song came out. The first time I heard it I was floored. I absolutely loved it! To me the fact that conservative Armed Forces Radio was playing it made it even better. I still love it over 50 years later. The Kinks are an underrated British Invasion band but they were huge in the ‘60s and ‘70s when this song was released. Keep in mind they were competing against bands like the Beatles and the Stones.
In the 90s I watched an interview with the songwriter of Lola, Kinks lead singer Ray Davies. He was asked what the public reaction was when this song came out in 1970 and he said quietly and straight-faced “Nobody understood it”. He said that like he was bewildered.
@gigi v of course we understood it!
@gigi v I’m sure there were people
who got the song most definitely, I’m assuming he meant the majority of the record buying public did not. That certainly seemed true in America.
I feel like maybe not as many people who say they understood the song really understand it
@@Jonni1027 The BBC certainly didn't get it: if they did, it would have been typical of them at that time to have banned it and they didn't!
@@DaveBartlett Good point haha
Don’t look down at old people, because we grew up with this music, and we rocked 🤘🏼
Best music. Best muscle cars. Best sense of humour.
Best music. Best muscle cars. Best sense of humour.
The FIRST Transgender "love song"! 😂🤣😂 ... SURPRISE!! 😳
(Never knew your grandparents were so progressive, did you?!? 😅)
Yes.....I love it. who knew ?
@@Newfie-zc7ug - Yup! Lol
And a giant hit that was all over the radio in my Midwestern small town! Which broadcast out to the farmlands. Farmers’ daughters were dancing to this at sock hops and slumber parties, and so were the farmers’ sons.
There’s nothing new under the sun.
I'm a Boy by The Who was earlier and Arnold Layne by Pink Floyd was about a cross dresser, there were a few songs in the 50s and 60s that at the very least referenced homosexuality, Tutti Fruitti, Jailhouse Rock and The Beatles You've Got To Hide Your Love Away was about Brian Epstien their at the time manager and how he had to keep his sexuality in the closet.
Lola is a transsexual. It was 1970, after all.
The diversity of the music in the 70's was awesome. I was lucky to have grown up then and enjoy reactors like you two discovering great music of the 70's. Thanks.
Too right it was, classical, jazz, Mexicali ,country, blues, rock, psychedelia, ballads, comedic, folk, protest all in the top forty 65/75 the eclectic decade of brilliant music.
Such a progressive song for its time, banned in so many countries and its GENIUS. The whole catalogue of music is great 👍
It wasn't a "progressive song" it was written as a rib for their manager who was so drunk one night at a gig in Soho he danced with a transvestite, it was a throw away song written to ridicule the manager who was a friend of theirs, lines like "well I left home just a week before and I never ever kissed a woman before" and "well I'm not dumb but I can't understand why she walked like a woman and talked like a man" are lines obviously written to poke fun at the guy.
@@thatsjustlikeyouropinionma3025 j mean, if you want to look at it that way sure maybe. But it is also a song that ends with the narrator and Lola in a happy relationship (or at least a fun encounter) without judging lola whatsoever. And theres a follow up song by the Kinks where the narrator wants to bring Lola home to their parents.
Like ya you could say its "just a joke BRO!", but it is a song in the 70s that has a non judgemental relationship between a man and either a drag queen or a trans woman, so yeah it's pretty progressive song.
So, that's just like, your opinion man
(I'm a dudeist priest, like I'm gonna pass up using that phrase here
@@fangsabre transwomen are men
@@thatsjustlikeyouropinionma3025 That’s part of what makes it progressive actually. The song makes fun of him for being oblivious and being a virgin, but it doesn’t make fun of him for being with her or being into her. More importantly, it doesn’t make fun of her at all.
@@thatsjustlikeyouropinionma3025 Sorry, wrong on both main points."Lola" was never a "throwaway song". Ray knew it was gold and he would never have bothered to fly to New York to substitute the original recorded lyric of "Coca-Cola" with "Cherry-Cola" to satisfy the BBC's blanket-ban on advertising had he viewed the song as such. As far as not being "progressive" - are you serious? A song about the messy attempted seduction of a virgin by a transvestite, and the fact that the virgin almost fell for this "babe".... if that's not progressive in any era, let alone 1970, what is?
One of my favourite bands who started in the 1960s! Songs like You Really Got Me, All of the Day and All of the Night, Waterloo Sunset, Tired of Waiting, Days, Dedicated Follower of Fashion, they had some really fantastic songs and such a distinctive sound. They were formed in 1963 by two brothers Ray and Dave Davies. They were often on Top of the Pops in the UK and we loved them. Lola is a great song too - it came out in 1970 and was a huge hit - I had this as a single along with the other songs I've just mentioned. Thanks so much for your reaction, guys, do hope you'll react to some of the songs. Cheers.
Some great songs there for sure but as much as they are all great songs I think my favourite Kinks song is one if their more left fit Beatlesesque songs Shangri-la I found that song so fascinating, Ray Davies was so creative, a bit mad but creative nonetheless
@@simply_psi That is a fantastic song too, trouble is there are just so many that I love, couldn't remember all the titles! Other favs are Till the End of the Day and Where Have All The Good Times Gone, gosh, certainly bring back so many great memories!
@@annemaclean6634 yeah that's what I like about these reaction channels, they open so many great memories of bands I'd not played for a long time, not just the songs reviewed but their entire catalogue, I've definitely added a lot of golden oldies to my playlists over the last couple of years
@@simply_psi You're so right, I've done the same since subscribing to this channel nearly a year ago. But it's not only old stuff, it's hearing new bands that I knew nothing about which is so great. I love rock/metal and I heard Nightwish first here and I love them, downloaded lots of their songs, and another band I've recently discovered is the Mongolian folk/rock/metal band The HU. Really love their songs as they're just so different and the guys have reacted to a few (more to come I'm sure!) on their other channel DUDES TV. Don't know if you're interested but definitely recommend them. Here's a link to Wolf Totem - ruclips.net/video/twN0EZVJhxs/видео.html if you want to check them out. All the best.
Don't forget "Come Dancing". I really like that song, too. Nice reaction.
I sang this song because I loved the sound before I was old enough to understand the lyrics. Now, 55 years later, when I have long since figured out the lyrics, I love it even more. 🌈
Based on a true story. Their manager got drunk at a club and started dancing with what he thought was a woman. Toward the end of the night, his stubble started showing, but their manager was too drunk to notice.
Musta been drinkin' that Funky Cold Medina 😆
@@philpennington826 Waaaay before Tone Loc my friend!
@@HiramLoki Oh yeah, that's true. BUT.....who's to say the drink "Funky Cold Medina" didn't exist BEFORE Tone Loc wrote a song about it? I mean, even in the lyrics, he found out about it from some OTHER guy....
Man, that is stone cold of them to write a hit song about that 😆😆
Her stubble
I am old enough to have heard this on the radio. I don't think the radio songlist people ever understood that "Lola" was actually a transvestite/transsexual. My friends laughed and laughed, but this was still an incredibly real and well written song!
Finally a reaction from the Kinks!
A fantastic band of the Davies brothers (Ray, the one who sings and wrote so many pearls of their discography and Dave, great guitarist unfortunately underated) and I hope you will listen to other songs of theirs (I do not mention any 'cause others have already given you many titles). Lola is a great song, I think it's useless to explain the reason for my statement...
Thank you very much, you have lifted my day!
As a Londoner can only suggest Waterloo Sunset.
Saw the Kinks in concert during the 70s. The stage design involved large moving props which illustrated the theme of their tour. This is a band whose theatrics and musicianship were worth more than the price of admission. Fun, talented, and whose songs will always be a reminder of my childhood and teenage years.
Another great reaction. Loved seeing George smile when he understood the lyrics. You definitely listen to "You Really Got Me" which was the first band to use guitar distortion in a song which you'll hear on the opening rift. The inspiration for the lyrics are based on a real experience that the lead singer, Ray Davies, had after seeing a girl in the audience while he was playing.
Jackie Brenston - "Rocket 88" (1951)
Howlin Wolf - "How Many More Years" (1952)
Link Wray And His Wray Men - "Rumble" (1958)
Just three examples. The Kinks were NOT the first artist to use distortion. (And if you're thinking, "yeah, but no one ever heard of those songs"....listen to "Rumble". It's an instrumental. You may not recognize it by name, but you'll recognize it the first second you hear the music.)
I like the fact you guys listen to the entire song before commenting.
Ray Davis is amazing song writer, the Kinks are consistently played on most radio stations in the UK.
I remember as a little growing up in the 70's, every house I had ever been in had a big ass record player and huge piles of records like this one everywhere. House parties, those records went through some wear and tear!
Loved your reaction when you realised!...Both of you are great listeners, and respect to you not interrupting too...
Saw them in 1980. One of the best live shows ever. The entire audience sang every word along with them.
Ray & Dave Davies....brothers!! They couldn't live with or without each other....lucky for the rest of us💕
Another group that I recommend you to listen, if you have not yet taken note, is the Velvet Underground: after listening to any of their songs you will no longer see New York with the eyes of before...
Legendary songs are: "Venus in Furs", "Heroin", "Sweet Jane", "Rock'n'Roll", "Pale Blue Eyes", "Sister Ray", "All tomorrow's parties" and "Sunday Morning" (although their entire first debut album is a milestone of everything that happened later in the history of music)
And let's not forget Lou Reed's solo career! The famous "Walk on the Wild side", "Perfect day", "Satellite of Love", "Vicious" and the whole concept album "Berlin" (just to give a couple of titles)
I would add the song "oh! Sweet nuthin' ". It may have inspired Free bird's guitar solo and may have Also been inspired by " Hey jude" by The Beatles, because every time I listen to both songs they seem pretty similar
There is a recent biographic art film, sadly only available via apple tv, that is astonishingly fun to watch. And I very much love your list, in that order, although I'm fine if it ends after Sister Ray! And the solo stuff...just as you say. I'll mention the Robert Quine stuff (Blue Mask/Live In Italy) and, really, quite a few really good songs after that, since you were too modest to! :)
@@TimoVERSION
Thank you ;)
Unfortunately I limited myself to a rather narrow list, but both the Velvet Underground and Lou there would be much more to add!!
As for the documentary, I've been dying to see it for weeks but unfortunately I don't have Apple TV and I don't have the slightest idea how to fix it :'(
Love Lou Reed songs - so far I have Rock and Roll Heart, Perfect Day, Satellite of Love and Vicious downloaded - so good.
VU is classic. Sweet Jane.. inspired. Heroin.. right on. Pale Blue Eyes... love
They have always been in the 'top four' of British rock...the royalty, as it were, also includes the Beatles, The Stones and the Who. They came in even harder than the Stones, and over the years have created a very unique and beautiful legacy. Rock and Roll would be different now, and lesser, without their early assault (You Really Got Me, All Day, etc.), but when things opened up in the pop world right after that, their contributions were right on point; Waterloo Sunset (gorgeous contentment in the city) and Dedicated Follower of Fashion (snark and shade in the city), as noted elsewhere here, are great 60's pop songs. Sadly, after 1970 they couldn't tour the U.S. like the Stones and the Who (for technical American Union rules), and were...under-appreciated for a while, except for a rabid, if small fan base. While they didn't have the big rock star 70's thing their contemporaries did, their music continued to be somewhere between interesting and great. Their 70's music is...quite diverse, but contains some of rock's greatest songs. Schoolboys In Disgrace especially has some great rock music along with their usual British slant on things, but there are gems on each of their...sort of concept/theatrical albums of the time. When you find the right songs, you understand they, in their way, helped make rock better. Cheers!
Such an awesome song and way before it's time. So respectful to Lola. So many people enjoyed it without knowing what it is about, that is what makes this song so awesome. He almost fell for beautiful Lola!! The genius of the song was that Lola didn't have a problem or any issues!!
KINKS, "LOLA"... ONE OF FAVORITE SONGS. MUSIC WAS EVERYTHING THE VOCALS EVERYTHING ELSE. THE LYRICS PRICELESS. 1970 THE MUSIC WAS JUST TAKING OFF, THANKS TOO THE 60'S...
A genuinely warm and humourous song. It`s funny, always makes me smile.
You might be the only reaction channel I've seen catch the pun in the final line! I love this song; I feel like the subversive (For the time) subject matter and the ear-candy quality of the music go hand-in-hand. It's like catching a glimpse of the future of love, seeing the possibilities of passion and desire yet unexpressed by millions of people opening up in the moment of choosing to be what you are, and being overwhelmed by the secret beauty of it all.
Yes, Ian Brooke commented on how the Coca-Cola had to be changed to “cherry cola” for trademark reasons. But the story is interesting how it happened right as they were releasing the album. On Wiki:
“The BBC banned the track because the original recording had the words "Coca-Cola" in the lyrics, and the BBC Radio had a policy against product placement. Ray Davies was forced to make a 6,000-mile round-trip flight from New York to London and back on June 3, 1970, interrupting the band's American tour, to re-record those words to the generic "cherry cola" for the album’s release.”
Companies can be weird about stuff like that. When Digital Underground released "The Humpty Dance", Burger King freaked out over the line, "I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom", and those two words ("Burger King") had to be bleeped out every time it was played on the radio or on MTV.
It’s wild that someone didn’t come up and put out a Laalola Cola maybe Coke will do that now since they are so with the SJW’S now a days
I like the cherry cola lyrics even better.
@@philpennington826 Is there a source for that information? There's a First amendment right to talk about a Burger King bathroom in a song. Or any bathroom. Must have been some other reason. If corporations had that legal right to suppress their name then nobody could write a song about anything.
That isn't really a trademark reason. It's a BBC 'no product placement' reason.
Coke didn't object as far as I know, and it's fair use anyway: you are entitled to mention products in a song lyric. Or even in a song title, like Kodachrome, or Levi's Jeans,
You know you getting old when you remember it first time around.😎
Getting old? Ya are old. Snap out of it.
@@theresagallagher9161 lol
@@Mike-James glad ya took it lightly. I'm right there with ya. We are now the seniors God luv us👍
@@theresagallagher9161 As a Yorkshireman we have a lot to say about old age, just wish I could remember what was said.
This song is hilarious! First time I heard it was in a small Cafe in west Hollywood, about 3am. I stopped for breakfast before driving to a job site in Barstow. In the booth at the other end of the Cafe was a group of women or so we thought. When we were about done eating this song came on, that's when we realized that the "women" were not quite what they seemed to be! Because they really, really loved this song!
My favorite Kinks song!!
Absolutely Ray Davies is an absolute genius I love the Kinks they are special
You've got to realize how shocking that "I'm a man and so's Lola" was back in 1970!
Honestly the line is still ambiguous with the full context. "I know what I am and I'm glad im a man and sos lola"
Could be lola is a man, could be lola is also glad the narrator is a man. Honestly its wonderful double entendre lyricism
No it wasn't back then it was in the 90'S that the country that people started to sticks up their A ..
Not that shocking it was played on all the radio stations,, I don't think they twigged on to the lyrics back then
I keep hearing this. I wasn’t ahead of my time, but I never heard an outcry or problem
@@fangsabre I always thought the lyric was "I know what I am and in bed I am a man and so is Lola"
AAHHHHH, the late 60's and early 70's, the golden age of Rock. You had to play well and write lyrics that addressed what was happening in the world and fool the clueless censors. Great reaction, I haven't heard this song in many years! Very "Kink"y.
One of the most influential bands in the 60s and early 70s. Super band❤🌻👍
Yes it was a great time with Bands like Slade, Sweet, T Rex, Alice Cooper, Nazareth, Status Quo and so on.
Thanks for your react 👍
Other great Kinks songs you should react to:
-Anytime
-Waterloo sunset
-Top of the pops
-You really got me
-All day and all of the night
-Rats
-Strangers
-Juke box music
-Wonderboy (A John Lennon's favorite)
-Powerman
-Victoria
-Sunny afternoon
Listening to Anytime would be very strange considering it wasn't released till the box set for Lola came out late last year. You should've included 20th Century Man Get Back in Line Shangrila Autumn Almanac Dead End Street Celluloid Heroes Mr. Big Man and This Time Tomorrow.
Celluloid Hero’s is another strong one
I'd add 'Come Dancing' too which I love but is also quite poignant when you find out it was inspired by his dead sister.
And the list could go on snd on and on and on..........
@@speleokeir was just about to say come dancing and sadness of it but also she bought his first guitar that night
Love your reaction, groovy song from a great band. Glad you are listening to the music us older folk grew up with. What great music we had, enjoy.
I saw The Kinks 3 times in concert in my hometown of Santa Barbara, California (on the Central West Coast) in 1977, 1980 and around 1983 or 1984. Ray Davies would always tease the audience early into their performance with a few chords on his guitar of the song Lola. The audience would just go wild. Dave Davies (Ray Davies younger brother) was an excellent lead guitarist, a good songwriter and a good singer as well.
Next you guys should check out the hit “Walk on the wild side” by Lou Reed- Official video, whether you can put it onscreen or not- You should watch and listen while we watch you guys and listen- it’s got such a groovy beat as well- iconic!💜💜🤘🏼👍
Great band. Great, important song. Great reaction. Thanks guys. I was lucky enough to see the Kinks live in the '80s. So much fun.
I had a chance to see them at the Hollywood Bowl. Loved their tunes, they introduced me to The Velvet Underground and The Ramones. ✌
I sorta feel like an idiot. I remember this song when it came out 50+ years ago. But being 12 years old, I didn't understand it but still liked it. It took me 20 years to truly understand and appreciate it. Great Classic Song!!!
Right?!
I was waiting for your reaction. 🤣🤣🤣 I’m in my 60’s and remember this song.
Thanks for this trip back to my teen years! You brothers are always fun to watch in your reactions and are so cool!
This one was way ahead of its time. Gotta love the Kinks. Amazing talents, and great storytellers.
The kinks were so influential to rock music,a little bit of humour too, brilliant band!!
This was a fun song and everyone had the same reaction when they figured it out. Loved it!
Ha Ha!! GREAT reaction as always!!!!!!! I was so happy to see "Kinks" come up on my "BroAction" alert!! The Kinks had a lot of great songs!! "Waterloo sunset," is a great song..... it's ranked number 14 on Rolling Stone's 500 greatest songs of all time!! Also, "Come Dancing" Not only is it an amazing song, but it was inspired by Davies' memories of his older sister who died of a heart attack while dancing at a dance hall. We will all be looking forward to when you get back to them!! Thank you sooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!
re: the backstory of Come Dancing.... omg :| I never knew the story behind it. I always kind of thought of it as just a nod of nostalgia to a club that they had fond memories of from their younger years.... now knowing this is going to make me sad whenever I hear it. Bless.
“Girls will be boys and boys will be girls it’s a mixed up muddled up shook up world EXCEPT FOR LOLA.” Lola is confident!
"Celluloid Heroes" is another fantastic Kinks song.
The Kinks were *amazing*....they did a MUSICAL, with exceptional songs....and then there were their songs about England, and Victoria.....Whenever I meet someone by that name, I am almost forced into singing that song. You HAVE to hear Sunny Afternoon. Immediately. I have decreed it!!! :)
Great song! Now react to the kinks Sunny Afternoon, 'Til the end of the day, Where have all the good times gone, Father Christmas, All day and all of the night, and for some 80's Kinks hit Do it again, Walking on a thin line, and Working at the Factory. All great songs to react to👍👍👍
The Kinks were one of the greatest bands in rock history, And Lola was one of their greatest, most influential songs..
I watched the Kinks open for the Moody Blues 50 years ago at a small inner-city stadium in Seattle, and they were fantastic! So were the Moody Blues!
Thanks for the smiles guys love you
The 70’s was an excellent musical era.
As always, great reactions from you guys. I think I’m subscribed to a couple of dozen reactors but yours are among my favorites. Watching you makes me want to jump in my car and fly down the highway with the music blasting away. OC, I’m too old for any of that lol, but I *do* feel that way. The Kinks were absolutely a great band, really distinctive style, but back in the day I had not clue what they were singing about. Makes me laugh now at how naive I was.
I’ve noticed that you really like George Harrison, so if you haven’t already done so, may I recommend a video that I just stumbled across the other day? It’s George Harrison playing ‘Absolutely Sweet Marie’ at the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary concert. There are a couple of videos but the one that specifically lists the title just as I’ve written it, is the better quality video. I don’t really know how to link it. Totally worth a look and tremendous fun. I really hope you react to it because you’re in for a real treat. Thanks so much for all the great reaction videos you post. They really brighten my day!
This is one of my favourite songs by one of my favourite bands. Great choice!
My generation had the best music. I love seeing young people enjoy and appreciate it.
You needed to live in London at this time to know how okay this song was these guys were brilliant
I was 14 when I got this song on a 45. Thank heavens my mom and dad couldn't understand the words. That kept me out of a LOT of trouble 'til I turned 18, got a job and moved out...with my 45's and full albums, lol. Still have nearly all of them.
I've always wondered how this song got past the "social censors" in 1970. After all, Another Brick In The Wall Part II by Pink Floyd was banned in 1979 in Boston for being degrading of school teachers. Great song though. Strange story line for 1970! No More Looking Back is my favorite song by The Kinks. Yet another under-rated band.
Because people didn't quite understand it, They never actually mention that Lola is a transvestite, the closest it actually gets is the last line and that can be taken two ways, either the Singer is glad that Lola is a man ( the transvestite way of looking at it ) or that Lola ( a woman ) is glad that the singer is a "man" ( as in masculine ) .
In the UK it was banned by the BBC. Because the lyric contained a mention of Coca Cola. Ban was lifted when they changed the line to Cherry Cola, which did not exist then. The BBC was not concerned about sexuality. As anyone that listened to Round the Horn. Broadcast on the radio Sunday lunchtime from 1965 to1968 and still repeated to this day will know. Which included the use of Polari. The underground homosexual language used before 1967. The year homosexually was legalised in the UK.
Also it was common to call guys with long hair, “girls”, so the’ judging population’, got confused. Also, Lola is treated with respect thru out the song.
what rock has anyone been living under that they never heard this song, since its has been played on the radio constantly ever since it came out.
It hasn't been played on the radio constantly. It might still get played on classic rock stations, but later generations don't get their music from the radio.
My kids are 27 and 30. I raised them on classic rock, rock and roll, punk, folk, singer song writer, psychedelic etc etc etc. But there is still a chance they never heard this song, I couldn't play them everything. When they make playlists for me now I ask them what radio station that the music is played in that they record for me. They just about fall down laughing that I think people listen to the radio to hear new music anymore.
So I think you are living under a rock to not realize that the radio isn't where music is primarily listened to any more
Ourstanding guys!! and what I realize now is that no only Lola a great tune but it is one of the great reaction video tunes of all time! Really great!! Thank you! And PS- I remember when this song was released!
I love George's face when the realisation that Lola is a cross-dresser, priceless! Such a fantastic song and a real 'sticking it to the man' in a world of bigots! Love is Love ❤️
I LOVE this song. 🤣🤣 I hadn't heard it in years.
OMG! You guys are too awesome! I am McLovin your show! I was in my early teens in the US singing this song with my guy and girl friends and just having a blast! It’s pretty funny to my generation in America to see the reactions of songs we really didn’t have a problem with..not saying you do…I am thoroughly enjoying you two…keep rocking and stay gold!
This song was a BIG hit on top 40 radio in the 70's and still is a staple on classic rock stations. The Kinks are incredible. I'd suggest listening to the whole album, Lola vs. Powerman and the Money-go-round. It is all about the recording industry and is pretty fantastic with incredible music. Lola is just one of the memorable songs from the album. The Kinks are right up there with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones in terms of importance to the history of rock and roll. Check out their albums Authur (the first rock opera), and Muswell Hillbillies. Both are masterpieces along with the ultra-fantastic Lola album.
The Kinks have always been pioneers of rock. i don't think many younger viewers understand just how many great bands sprang up in literally about 2 to 3 years. Beatles/Stones/The Who/The Kinks/Yardbirds/ and countless other great bands. All within about 1963-1966. For something a little more modern by the Kinks try songs like Juke Box Music from the later 70's and the awesome Do It Again from the mid 80's. Good Stuff. The entire Sleepwalker album (with Juke Box Music) is great, sometimes subdued and sometimes in your face, it's the kind of album you could play from start to finish at a party and everyone would like it.
You know this group started in the 60s the time of free love alot of experimentation going on back then. Great reaction.
The Kinks were always way ahead of their time!
👍👍😎
British songwriting talent and sense of humour at its peak
You somehow happened upon an original version of this song! Near the beginning is the line "where you drink champagne and it tastes just like Coca-Cola", well Coca-Cola threatened to sue for using their name and the song was rerecorded saying ".... cherry cola" and most versions we hear have those lyrics. One of my fave Kinks songs, got banned so many stations but somehow escaped the eagle ear of the BBC.
No. The BBC doesn’t allow advertising. The BBC had them re-record it.
Hmmm, I thought I heard Coca-cola....! Interesting bit of info about Lola
@@karenscigliano9787only the released single was changed to coka... The for radio play... The album version remains coka
Changed to cherry, rather
Forgot how good this song was and is. Haven't listened to it in decades. Thanks for the ride, bros.
"Met her in a club down in old Soho" is one of those areas of London where girls will be boys and boys will be girls. So if you go know to expect something different. Be wary of some of the clubs too if you don't know the area you may pay more than you think for a drink and it may cost a lot to see the act. Lola is a great song and it's amazing watching people's surprise listening
I remember singing to this when I was about 8. Now I think about it I’m surprised they let it on the radio in those days.
For great rock knowledge and fantastic interviews try, The Professor of Rock.
Love your reaction George when you catch the lyrics at the end - your laugh is contagious! Watching Patrick's face is priceless too.☺ Wonderful song by the Kinks. This was sooo popular back in the day. Still so much fun to listen to. Thanks guys for posting this🧡
so refreshing to see younger people digging the past songs
your face was a treat when it dawned Lola was a man, priceless guys
I’ve seen a lot of reactions to Lola - but the two of you made me smile all the way through the song! A fabulous reaction to a fabulous song. See what you make of Waterloo Sunset.
Your reaction made me laugh, your appreciation of the music made me proud of your generation.
Wow your reaction to Lola being a geezer....man!!! Priceless. If you love amazing guitar playing Joe Bonamassa is your man. Anything by this guy is untouchable. He played with BB King around the age of 13. I had tickets to see him in EDINBURGH before the bloody lock down. Stay safe guys.
At least you guys got it on the first listening. There are multiple popular reaction channels where this song just flew over the heads of the hosts. When this song came out it was played on the radio constantly. I think it used to play on our school bus on the way to school. I think by middle school I understood the meaning.
The kinks burst upon the UK music scene in 1964 with you really got me and all day and all of the night and had a string of hits in the 60s and into the 70s and beyond
they were one of the greatest bands to come out of England at that time up there with the Beatles stones and the who Have a listen to their great music. They were a distinctly London band. Unfortunately they eventually broke up because of the continuing friction between the two Davies brothers
Ah you're in my wheelhouse now! I love funky weird little rock songs and Lola is certainly that! Y'alls reaction was everything. Thanks for this excellent song!
First concert I went to, 1981…and the classic album that came out of that tour!!
I love watching you guys enjoy all this music for the first time! Music I’ve known for years. Cheers, from 🇨🇦
Your face when it clicked....great reaction!
I love all the changes of mood and feeling, intensity and energy in this--BRILLIANT!!!!!!! A SHINING STAR WE CAN ALWAS GAZE AT EVEN IN THE DARKEST OF TIMES!!!!!!!! guess i like it..........
In my youth we sang this while rowing over a fjord in Norway while singing this , it almost ended in a disaster but thankfully everbody made it :)
Shocking - especially for 1970, and got played on the radio! First time I heard the term 'Gender Bender' was describing this song. In the early 60's we had The Kinks, The Who, and The Rolling Stones, which are now considered as "Proto-punk" (before Punk was Punk)., but The Kinks got banned from touring in the US by musicians union in '65 or '66 which severely limited their exposure and record sales dropped comparatively. You should hear "You Really Got Me", "All Day And All Of The Night" ("64), and Ray Davies' solo "The Tourist" from his album "Other Peoples' Lives" (2006).
Great reaction guys, this is one of my favourite Kinks tracks, Waterloo Sunset being at the top.
LOVE the KINKS!!! Fun reaction. They have a song “Better Days” I think it’s called. Very beautiful.
I was 10 when this song came out. It was monumental and the lyrics didn’t faze me a bit. 😁
I love the Kinks! Lola was a 70s song but they started in the 60s. Their first hit and what made them worldwide sensations on par with Beatles and Rolling Stones was their song You Really Got Me. It is considered to be the first Heavy Metal song ever.
The Kinks and The Stones - making music for decades and giving you melodies that are bangers, along with lyrics that will STOP YOU IN YOUR TRACKS.
At the time this song was released as a single, The Kinks were touring the USA, and received information that the BBC in the UK, who were well known for censoring any material they found unsuitable, were going to ban the broadcast of the single on air. However, it wasn't for the reason you might expect: Kinks vocalist Ray Davies had to make a 6,000 mile round trip in order to re-record one line of the song, so that it referred to 'Cherry Cola' and not 'Coca Cola' as the BBC wouldn't allow the broadcast of any kind of advertising or product placement. That done, the single rose to No 2 in the UK singles charts, and not once did the BBC consider banning it due to his content, despite the multiple references to Lola being a transvestite, which they seemed to miss entirely!
Interesting…I so love the backstory and thnx for sharing!
A band that I never liked back then but grew on me since then. They are awesome!
Great reaction to very interesting song from an interesting experience. I remember when the song first came out, and I loved the music, But I never paid much attention to the lyrics and being just a naive kid, I had little knowledge of such things. My friend's older brother explained it to me.