Dave Davies Pushes Back on Moby’s ‘Lola’ Claim

The Kinks guitarist Dave Davies has publicly responded after musician Moby criticised the band’s 1970 hit “Lola,” calling the song’s lyrics “gross and transphobic.” Davies said he was offended by the suggestion that his brother and bandmate Ray Davies was “unevolved” or transphobic, framing the dispute as a clash over how a classic rock staple is judged through a modern lens.

In his statement, Davies shared a message sent to him and Ray from trans performer and artist Ms. Jayne County, who defended “Lola” as culturally significant rather than harmful.

Ms. County said that when she first heard the track she felt “thrilled and amazed” that The Kinks were “singing a song about a trans person,” and argued it helped bring a once “hush, hush subject to the forefront.” She added that the song depicted “a world full of all kinds of people” and claimed it “broke down the doors of narrow-mindedness,” describing it as personally meaningful to her as a trans woman.

The dispute arrives as long-running songs are increasingly reappraised for their language and themes, particularly where gender identity and LGBTQ+ representation are involved. Davies has previously weighed in on how The Kinks’ work is interpreted by others, including when he criticised Van Halen’s cover of “You Really Got Me” in remarks that drew attention among rock fans.

For now, Davies’ response makes clear he views “Lola” as a track that pushed boundaries for its time, and he is leaning on County’s perspective to argue that its legacy includes a sense of visibility and impact rather than hostility. Whether the exchange changes how listeners approach the song, it has reignited debate over context, intent, and interpretation in rock’s back catalogue.