I met her in a club down in old Soho
Where you drink champagne and it tastes just like Coca-Cola
C-O-L-A, cola
She walked up to me and she asked me to dance
I asked her her name and in a dark brown voice she said, "Lola"
L-O-L-A, Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola

Well, I'm not the world's most physical guy
But when she squeezed me tight, she nearly broke my spine
Oh, my Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola
Well, I'm not dumb but I can't understand
Why she walked like a woman, but talked like a man
Oh, my Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola

Well, we drank champagne and danced all night
Under electric candlelight
She picked me up and sat me on her knee
And said, "Little boy, won't you come home with me?"

Well, I'm not the world's most passionate guy
But when I looked in her eyes, well, I almost fell for my Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola

Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola

I pushed her away
I walked to the door
I fell to the floor
I got down on my knees
Then I looked at her, and she at me

Well, that's the way that I want it to stay
And I always want it to be that way for my Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola
Girls will be boys, and boys will be girls
It's a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world
Except for Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola

Well, I'd left home just a week before
And I'd never ever kissed a woman before
But Lola smiled and took me by the hand
And said, "Little boy, I'm gonna make you a man"

Well, I'm not the world's most masculine man
But I know what I am, and I'm glad I'm a man
And so is Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola

Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola
Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola
Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola
Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola
Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola
Lo-Lo, Lo, Lo-Lola


Lyrics submitted by rainbow_radness

Lola Lyrics as written by Raymond Douglas Davies

Lyrics © Abkco Music Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Lola song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

119 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +14
    General Comment

    This song is much more than just a humorous tale of gender confusion. Remember that the album (lola vs powerman the moneygoround) is a concept album that tells a story about a young singer and his raise to fame and struggles with the music industry. Very critical of the business, the media, the fans, etc. This particular track comes right after "Get Back in Line" - a song about being poor and in the welfare line, the only way out being the 'union man', to follow certain rules and join the system, to forget about being an artist and just doing what the businessmen say. The song after "Lola", 'Top of the Pops' is about how he finally did it, he has a pop single and now he can make lots of money now.

    So, the deeper meaning of Lola should become obvious. The song itself brought the Kinks back into popularity and was a huge successful single. In the story of the album, this is also the case. This is the song that the hero writes that finally gets him some money as mentioned in 'top of the pops', because it's a pop song about love with a sing-along chorus and it's exactly what they want. Ray Davies is basically jerking us all around, it's like we are not just listening to the song like any other song, we are listening to the song being played on a jukebox in the fictional world of the album. you dig?

    There is another layer as well. Lola in the song isn't an actual person, it is a representation of the music business. It will look all friendly and female and sexy and enticing, get you drunk on champaigne and say it will "make you a man" ahem...but in reality it's all an illusion, its' a devious man pulling strings and pushing you around and forcing you to your knees. And if you do what he says, he'll make you a star.

    enjoymywaffleson August 04, 2005   Link
  • +11
    General Comment

    One of my friends noticed this today while borrowing the Spanish room for one of our classes...

    lo (masculine) la (feminine)

    xbizzyxon April 30, 2008   Link
  • +6
    General Comment

    i love this song its forever a drunken favorite, and the lyrics are so clever

    Niamon June 25, 2004   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    this song is the best. my favorite line is "i'm not dumb but i can't understand why she walks like a woman and talks like a man"... it's so funny!

    amilaon July 20, 2002   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    "I pushed her away. I walked to the door. I fell to the floor. I got down on my knees. I looked at her, and she at me.

    Well that's the way that I want it to stay. I always want it to be that way for my Lola. Lo lo lo Lola. "

    He thinks its a woman and this part is when he realises it isn't and freaks out. Thats the way I always interpreted it anyway. but I'm sure the guy has no clue up until that point. All the lyrics depict him as seriously naive

    bongoon May 17, 2004   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    I don't think people appreciate the full brilliance of this song.

    Yes, it's a fun reveal about a romance with a transvestite, but there's so much more to it than that. The rest of "Lola Vs. Powerman and the Money-go-Round" is all about pre- and post-stardom life ("Get Back in Line" vs. "This Time Tomorrow"). It's all about playing and trying to make a hit...and Lola just happens to be that hit. The next song is "Top of the Pops," indicating The Kinks KNEW "Lola" would be huge, because it's the point at which the album turns, from pre-fame angst to fun of making it.

    They set up "Lola" to be huge, and it was. The Kinks pulled one over on us.

    switcherooon January 10, 2012   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    i always assumed it was about a transvestite as well but when it says, 'i'm glad i'm a man, and so is lola' i think theyr'e just saying lola is also glad he's a man. grammatically that makes more sense, although i always assumed it to mean lola was a man.

    this doesn't mean lola ISN'T a man... it just means it's still up in the air. my sister thinks lola's just a masculine woman and the song's more about gender confusion and submission/dominance etc.

    nichieon July 02, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    It is GLAD I'm a man... I always felt the meaning was Lola was glad he (the singer) was a man, regardless of whatever gender Lola is...

    Named one of my cats Lola after this song... She perks up whenever this song is played. it's uncanny ;-)

    LolaBaton October 22, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    i have never read so much rubbish. firstly, there are a numbe rof mistakes in the lyrics not just the glad, that problem. secondly whoever suggested it was soho in new york, wot r u on, the kinks were banned from america for several reasons and so it is very unlikely they would sing about the country that stopped them from being bigger than the beatles (or even jesus lol), they were the original brit pop. the worst mistake of all though is all these theories tht lola was a woman etc. any real fan would know hat it is actually a true story, it happened to ray davies in soho in LONDON, he has said this in his autobiography and in various other places, lola was a transvesdite, and yes he did fall for her, to find out what happened after listen to destroyer by the kinks, htis is a revisit to lola and tells the nxt chapter of ray davies night. the suggestion that ray and dave davies were gay/bisexual is a misconception, thye did dabble and experiment, but that is what the times were like, they are both predominantly attracted to women.

    middo88on July 15, 2006   Link
  • +2
    Memory

    there is a total redneck kid who is all man and one day he walked into class singing this song and the teacher just gave him the oddest look and asked if he knew what it was about.. he had no clue so when she explained it his whole jaw dropped off, it was hilarious! he hasnt sang since... :]

    caileybirdon December 18, 2009   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve. The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future. Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere" The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
Page
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.