”I wanted an intro similar to what we used on “Dedicated Follower Of Fashion”, which was two Fender acoustic guitars and Dave’s electric guitar; so I went down to Shaftesbury Avenue and bought a Martin guitar, and this National guitar that I got for £80, then double-tracked the Martin, and double-tracked the National – that’s what got that sound.”
I leave it to our designated Kinksman to comment on all things Lola vs Powerman and Moneygoround, but I enjoyed the 50th birthday article here.
The subject matter sailed over the heads of the BBC censors, who only balked at the lyrical mention of Coca-Cola, which violated its rule about commercial insertions. In reaction, Davies subbed in “cherry cola” on an alternate version.
While gay references had cropped up in pop songs before, “‘Lola’ was the first big hit with an L.G.B.T. theme,” said JD Doyle, a music historian who ran the authoritative radio show “Queer Music Heritage.” “‘Lola’ made history.”
According to Davies, “Lola” encouraged other songwriters to explore related territory. “Before he passed away, Lou Reed told me that ‘Lola’ was a big influence on him,” he said. “It was reassuring to him when he did ‘Walk on the Wild Side.’”
Despite the consequence to the band’s career, “the highest accolade is to be banned from America,” he added.
If forced into exile and told I could bring one Kinks album, I’d have to choose Lola vs. Powerman, but I’d also have to sneak a copy of Village Green into the dust jacket–becuase I don’t think I could ever choose between those two favorites. And that’s assuming I could also take a singles and greatest hits collection. And then of course I’d have to sneak Arthur and a few others into decoy album covers.