The Kinks' Dave Davies Defends 'Lola' Against Moby's Criticism

Davies responds to Moby calling the classic song 'gross and transphobic'

Mar. 23, 2026 at 9:30pm by Ben Kaplan

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Musician Dave Davies of the iconic rock band The Kinks has fired back at criticism from fellow musician Moby over the band's classic 1970 hit song 'Lola.' Moby had called the lyrics 'gross and transphobic,' but Davies defended the song, noting that the band appreciated the support of the '70s psychedelic theater group The Cockettes, who were known for their gender-bending performances. Davies also shared a letter from 'trans icon' Jayne County praising the song's significance.

Why it matters

The debate over whether 'Lola' contains transphobic lyrics highlights the evolving standards around representation and sensitivity in popular music, especially for songs written decades ago. The exchange also showcases how artists from different generations can have differing perspectives on the cultural impact of classic songs.

The details

In an interview, Moby said he could no longer listen to 'Lola' because he found the lyrics 'gross and transphobic.' However, Davies defended the song, noting that the band appreciated the support of the gender-bending theater group The Cockettes when they were touring. Davies also shared a letter from transgender icon Jayne County praising the song's significance to the LGBTQ+ community.

  • The Kinks released 'Lola' in June 1970.
  • Moby's critical comments about the song were made in a recent interview with The Guardian.

The players

Dave Davies

A founding member of the iconic rock band The Kinks, known for co-writing many of the band's hit songs including 'Lola.'

Moby

An American musician and DJ who has criticized the lyrics to The Kinks' song 'Lola' as 'gross and transphobic.'

Jayne County

A transgender icon and musician who wrote a letter to Dave and Ray Davies praising the significance of 'Lola' to the LGBTQ+ community.

The Cockettes

A '70s psychedelic hippie theater group formed in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco, known for their gender-bending performances.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I don't wanna show the guy up, but Moby should be careful what he says. the cockettes And their friends used to follow us around on tour. We appreciated them.”

— Dave Davies, Founding Member of The Kinks

“Why is Moby being so rude about this simple song? We're not trans phobic. Why does he have to have a go at us?”

— Dave Davies, Founding Member of The Kinks

What’s next

It remains to be seen if this debate over the legacy of 'Lola' will continue, or if other artists will weigh in on the evolving perspectives around representation and sensitivity in classic rock songs.

The takeaway

This exchange highlights the complexities of evaluating the cultural impact of songs written decades ago through a modern lens. While some may find fault with the lyrics of 'Lola,' the song has also been celebrated by the LGBTQ+ community, underscoring the need for nuanced discussions around artistic expression and social progress.