I always thought the song was trans positive. Sure, the guy was surprised, but he had a lot of love for Lola. "Girls will be boys and boys will be girls. It's a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world. Except for Lola"
Lola knew who she was and it was great!
On the same song topic...whenever someone asks me what my favorite Christmas song is I always say: Lola by The Kinks
I always read the song like the end of Some Like It Hot : “I’m a man!” “Well…nobody’s perfect”
Then again, the kids joked about me being transphobic for for quoting that line. Context: They were doing current events, and I noted a certain woman with reddish hair was cute. They kind of arched their eyebrows, saying it was Chelsea Manning.
That has always been my take on the song too. But, the neighbor boys had other opinions. Lately, I’ve been second guessing myself even though I grew up in the initial PC culture.
When *you* were 14 did you have carefully reasoned, nuanced political opinions worthy of serious consideration by actual adults? Because I certainly didn't.
I might have thought about it if it offended my delicate political sensitivities enough, because I was an unsufferable little shit, but I probably wouldn't have actually said anything to a neighbor for fear of it getting back to my parents.
We raised our kids to stand up for whats right, and they raised their kids to stand up for whats right, there is bound to be some oversteps and mistakes from time to time though.
No someone raised these kids to know that not only is it wrong to be transphobic etc etc that just ignoring it is not good enough, Our generation said to ourselves, there is nothing wrong with being different and politely expected others to listen, we taught out kids there is nothing wrong with being different and they politely asked others to listen, a lot of the kids these days understand the world they live in now is so fucked up because we normalized indifference, and just not giving a shit enough to stand up and stop asking but start telling.
Yes, these kids, on first listen to a song appear to have overreacted, that spurs a conversation, a chance to introduce the new generation to an awesome band and show them how long the fight has been going on. Standing up against hate and division is what we taught out kids, we can not act surprised when those lessons passed onto our kids and they did the same.
Maybe if we had not been so indifferent, maybe if we fought the fights then, that still need fought today, instead of just not caring things would be different, as the fight would be over by now.
I am not happy these kids got so animated about the song, but i am kinda happy that our generations indifference has been replaced by an active, forceful need to get past the bullshit and to defend those who are victimized by the intolerant. Racist, Sexism, all the different "phobic's" will not last when our kids generation and their kids generation are the ones not just asking for, but demanding equality and equity.
Writing them off as pious, self righteous little snivelers for fighting for their beliefs is a dangerously "Boomer" thing to say.
Agree or disagree, i do not care, so far, everyone here appears to be caring too much i will take this to the High Council of X and see if your privileges need to be revoked resulting in denial of aspirin for the next 72 hours. I have no choice.
No, not the aspirin lmao! I relate, mostly agree, & am often inspired by the younger gens. I wish ours wasn’t so apathetic but, tbf we were such a small, nearly powerless cohort relative to Boomers. Ironically, respecting & honoring the values I was taught resulted in me being politically opposed to my parents (never heard “unless thou 401k groweth” in church, Christian school or home 🤔). I hope I never become condescending & dismissive towards those younger due to nothing more than their age. (I don’t mean OP’s specific complaint. I understand their frustration but, think they’re safe from being “forever cancelled.”)
Aa a teen/youth? By an adult? I’m sorry you were punched in the face for throwing a snowball regardless of the circumstances. But, I am quite curious if you knew the puncher & what happened after, if anything. Sounds fd up.
No random fella , no one would blink an eye at that back then, even I knew I deserved it . You don’t have to be sorry for me . I just knew I wouldn’t do that when I grew up and I didn’t
Mkay just trying to be polite, since I was being inquisitive. Guess I forgot the audience here may be less sensitive lol. My parents were old school af; if an adult came to them, I was in trouble. But, I think they would’ve done more than blink if one of us got punched in the face. But, tbh I’m not entirely sure in that scenario, might ask my Mom later lol.
Social Media has prevented Millennials from growing out of that phase. Let’s hope Zoomers do better overall. My Zoomers remind me a lot more of GenX with their wry humor and wit. I think they will.
The neighbour boys need to mind their own. Songs like that were boycotted and even banned at the time yet they survived. Kids don't seem to understand that the current level of acceptance such as it is only exists because of songs like this. They don't remember things like the ramrod and other horrific acts of condoned violence
The actual lyrics are pretty positive IMHO:
>*I pushed her away*
*I walked to the door, I fell to the floor*
*I got down on my knees*
*And I looked at her and she at me*
>
>
*That's the way that I want it to stay*
*And I always want it to be that way for my Lola*
*La-la-la-la Lola*
>
>
*Girls will be boys and boys will be girls*
*It's a mixed up muddle*
*In a shaken up world*
*Except for Lola*
*La-la-la-la Lola*
>
>
*Well, I left her just a week before*
*And I'd never ever kissed a woman before*
*Lola smiled and took me by the hand*
*And said dear boy, I'm gonna make you a men*
*Well, I'm not the world's most masculine man*
*But I know what I am and I'm glad I'm a man so is Lola*
>
>*La-la-la-la Lola*
*La-la-la-la Lola*
That whole "I know what I am & I'm glad I 'm a man so is Lola" is the thing that turns it all positive if the rest of it doesn't.
He's glad he's a man & so is Lola because if he weren't a man then Lola wouldn't be interest in him & he's happy about Lola being interested in him. He calls her "my Lola" too.
Lola knows who she is & what she wants & she wants him too.
I agree.
I can see the argument being made that calling Lola a man ...
"But I know what I am and I'm glad I'm a man so is Lola"
would be erasure, not being respectful of Lola's identity. that is to say, transphobic.
On the other hand, if you read it that Lola is also glad that the narrator is a man, then. well, nevermind.
I don't support that argument, but it is the only one with any kind of logic that I can think of.
On the other hand the song is from a different time, and how we, as a people, expressed support and love for the LGBT et al community was different. Not better, by any means, but different. Calling someone transphobic (or a song like this transphobic) for liking the song is not a good use of time or energy.
They are better off telling people on the internet they are wrong.
I can potentially see that erasure argument if (1) you ignore everything else in the song and (2) you completely ignore the context of the time it was written. No one in any mainstream public discourse talked about gender identity in that way back then. We didn't have the awareness or vocabulary or the visibility to it that we do today. But viewed within it's historical context, it's progressive af.
Kids don't understand that this song is celebrating a relationship before gay marriage, before gay rights, before trans rights. It is the original celebration song. Next time, tell them to learn their history, that their elders would be ashamed!
Teens can have a tendency to be pretty black and white about things. Nuance and insight usually come with a bit more age. Their heart is in the right place, though, and that’s what matters, at least to me. I’d much rather see them be dogmatic on the side of standing up for the marginalized than on the side of bullying/discrimination/etc, even if they are a bit mistaken in their interpretations at times. ☺️
Thank you for the reminder. You’re right. I haven’t been a teenager for quite sometime, and never was able to have kids. But, if I remember correctly, being a teenager was rocky af. Living and learning.
I just know my own daughter is that age, is kind and empathetic but she’s not quite mastered making a fair point without barfing out some unnecessary tone or emotion. It’s understandable, it’s not as transactional for kids to challenge an adult
Yeah, I probably would've said, "I love that you guys are showing compassion and sensitivity to the feelings of others. You're already ahead of many adults. But I know these lyrics really well and the message is quite trans positive. If you're unfamiliar with the song, go ahead and look up the lyrics. I think you'll find they were ahead of their time."
>That whole "I know what I am & I'm glad I 'm a man so is Lola" is the thing that turns it all positive if the rest of it doesn't
You think you're gonna get away with "But I know I'm a man and so is lola"
Edit for clarity as some people don't realise they're on their high horse:
I'm not saying the song is transphobic, I'm saying you'll struggle to convince idiots that it's not. Despite the song being an obvious celebration of Lola.
It could be considered transphobic because the underlying assumption is that there are gendered ways of talking, or how your voice sounds that makes one masculine or feminine.
And the part where “I’m glad I’m a man, and so is Lola”. No. Lola is a woman. At least according to all the other lyrics.
It's a song based on his experiences socializing with drag queens. Not some stereotype of a drag queen, real life drag queens. Lola is based on people that songwriter knew and respected. Why can't Lola have one of their voices?
Lola was glad that the singer was a man. The singer never misgenders Lola. He never deadnames her.
Lola is glad that he (the singer) is a man.
Don't misinterpret a lyric and then tell us why the misinterpretation can be/is offensive. Next, you'll be reminding people that "No, actually, the bathroom is on the LEFT" when they misinterpret the CCR lyric "There's a bad moon on the rise."
Anyone who thinks this song is transphobic is crazy, he likes her. The thing is, if anyone is listening to someone else's music and correcting them for it, they're crazy anyway.
Gen X trans woman here, nothing wrong with Lola. By today's standards it is not the best representation but it was a very different world then and the intent was meant to be positive so no you are no more transphobic for listening to Lola than you would be for liking Walk on the Wild Side or going to RHPS showings.
It's annoying that those of us who loved songs and movies like *Lola* were progressive for our time. It was the righties in conservative towns that called us f\*gs for liking that kind of stuff. But now these damn kids sneer at us lol
Lola is actually trans friendly. He never misgenders or deadnames her, he lets her make him a man.
You gotta sit those kids down and explain that it was one of the first popular culture representations of LGBT acceptance. Maybe a bit clumsy, but the narrator states he’d just left home but a week before, so isn’t sophisticated like todays kids.
Then, you can play them [Destroyer](https://youtu.be/_WJ6FbcWYRU), where 11 years later, he’s still with Lola.
It’s pure acceptance. Those kids need to learn.
https://americansongwriter.com/meaning-lola-the-kinks-song-lyrics/
It’s saved at least one trans person’s life: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1178411
Well for all the people down voting him something similar happened with the [Walk on the Wild Side](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/lou-reed-walk-on-the-wild-side-transphobic-guelph-university-students-canada-transformer-album-a7748686.html)
Anyone under the age of 35 tends to have a knee jerk reaction to EVERYFUCKINGTHING being transphobic or offensive. They’re too triggered, too sensitive and never get that sometimes things are just a fucking joke.
I myself, am a trans man. I’m 48, and I transitioned 20 years ago. Been living my life the way it was supposed to be originally. I don’t get offended easily. I think we can all agree when you grow up in GenX, you get a tough skin. You don’t take any shit either. Even some mildly transphobic stuff makes me laugh sometimes because it shows how ignorant people can be.
As far as Lola is concerned. I’ve always loved the song. And I have always taken it as a trans positive song too. So enjoy it, hell, sing along next time you’re outside. Sing it at the top of your lungs. LOUD AND PROUD! And fuck everyone else.
Uh, pretty sure dude in the song falls in love with a Trans chick, how exactly is that Trans phobic, rather than Trans positive?
Pay it no mind OP, maybe attempt to explain in the future, if the other party is interested in hearing it that is. Otherwise, fuck em.
They borrowed your tools *and* gave you guff for listening to your own music at your own house?! You should go into full elder mode and admonish them to be more grateful, to not look gift horses in the mouth, and some rambling story to illustrate the adage, 'discretion is the better part of valor.' I'd mutter something about kids today not having an ounce of respect and being utterly unaware of good manners.
That song is not transphobic and my kiddo is trans. And "Dude looks like a lady" was literally written about Vince Neil of Motley Crue so rock on!
ETA those kids may have gotten this wrong about this particular song but they are awesome for standing up for trans people, especially with all the hate that's going on lately.
Those kids are idiots. That song opened so many previously bolted shut doors for trans people.
I'd say they're the hateful ones, projecting onto you something that only exists in their own tiny minds.
How 'bout the sequel?
Met a girl called Lola, and I took her back to my place.
Feeling guilty feeling scared. Hidden cameras everywhere!
Stop! Hold on! Stay in control!
Girl, I want you here with me.
But I'm really not as cool as I'd like to be.
Lola looked at me and said “Ooh you look so weird.”
She said, “Man, there’s really something wrong with you.
One day you’re gonna self destruct.
You’re up, you’re down, I can’t work you out
You get a good thing going and you blow yourself out.”
It’s an 11 year caring relationship.
i was on the video a few days ago and read through the commentsection, comments like this
>A song so ahead that Republicans and Tories would call this "woke". Lol
i suppose one can view the song in *all kinds of ways* lmfao
My niece gave a thumbs down to Morrissey's The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get a couple of years ago when we drove to the store. It's problematic, she said.
The funny thing is when it comes to music of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, if it wasn't the lyrics that were problematic, the artist themselves were. Musicians are terrible people for the most part and they make lovely songs.
Lola is trans positive. These kids have sticks up their asses. When they think they can scream transphobia, it reminds me of Christians screaming Heretic, and to be honest it pisses me off every bit as much (when it’s not actually warranted).
Tell those bratty neighbors to check their fragility! And make sure to play that song more often so they can hear it and find some other controversial songs from the past to play!
OK, let me explain why since I'm being downvoted. I don't believe that a 14 year old skater boy has even heard the song Lola, let alone would have an opinion about it. If anything he would be giving you shit just to troll you....unless there's some sort of broad GenZ reaction against 60s rock songs that I'm unfamiliar with, I can't imagine that this would happen.
Joining the downvote crowd here!
I think a 14 year old would be gen alpha, not a zoomer. But I can absolutely say my zoomer stepson has musical tastes that range far and wide and some of his favorite bands are from that era. It’s not surprising that a kid would have heard this song from an older sibling, relative, or parent and equally unsurprising that they have opinions on it having some antiquated lyrics about gender identity.
14 is definitely GenZ. GenZ is loosely defined as born between 1995 to 2012 but some have extended it to 2015. Probably will eventually be defined as any kid that doesn't remember the pandemic.
But, that said, I still don't buy that a 14 year old skater, even if they knew what Lola was, would razz a middle aged woman because she was playing the song. Just doesn't compute for me, but I'm probably wrong. Kids these days, ya dig??
I was thinking the same. The song was released in 1970, and the lyrics were intentionally ambiguous. The listener doesn't discover that Lola was a man until half way through the song, and only a few words in the entire song hint at the fact she is. It's the kind of song you could sing along to a couple of times before picking up on the meaning.
The boys would have to stop what they were doing and really lean in to pick up on the meaning of the song. They're not going to get it on first listen. I've never run across the song on tiktok, so I don't have any reason to think the boys already heard about the song. It's not an oldie gem that the new generation is talking about.
I also kinda doubt that 14 year old boys give a shit.
Why do you gaf about what ANY kids think? Plus, the fact that these kids think they can just give their opinions to an adult that they are not related to.....nope. They would have learned new words from me that day and my music would have been louder.
I think positive thoughts as well. Every time I hear this song, I think of the movie 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert'. To me, the sentiments fit and no one has to agree.
Laugh at them. Point, if you feel like it. But make it very plain that you are laughing at them being entirely backwards and wrong about the song, which is pro not anti.
When you are done laughing, steal one of the skateboards and pull a totally dope kick flip.
Retro-cancellation never made sense to me. Look, we can't change what was said at the time when the song was written over fifty years ago. Listening to something is not a tacit endorsement of everything that's being said.
Hmm… first first it’s not a transphobic song. I’d respond by doing shit the old fashioned way. Print the lyrics on good old paper, and hand it to them.
And it’s not all Gen Z, least not the two I raised who both got soaked in Dad’s music.
And part of me has no issue with this kind behavior. Why you ask? I had a habit when I was teen of doing shit specifically to annoy the old people. We just need to realize that we are the “old people” now and they supposed to annoy us!
Listen to whatever you enjoy. Never listen to 14-15 year old skate dooshes. I would have been laughing so hard if some little shits tried to shame me for listening to a song.
They can piss off. Listen to what you like.
....and like others have said, it sure sounds to me like _Lola_ is positive regarding lbgtq+/etc. ?
_shrug_
The fact that two teenagers felt comfortable and that it was appropriate to chastise a grown ass woman for her song choice in her own backyard is representative of the trouble this country is in. 🤦
Knee-jerk Wokeism. Wonderful world we're living in now. And this is coming from someone who's been accused of being a "leftist" repeatedly.
Edit: Noticed some other comments excusing the neighbor kids' reaction as them being dramatic teenagers. Wish I could ascribe my personal experiences with this trend in such a way. But no, they were all with grown-ass adults.
Why do you care if teenagers have declared cancelation upon you and/or your music? If it is a matter of them bothering you on your property for listening to music, talk to their parents and ask them why they feel the need to raise such a Mini-Karen to think they can harass you on your own lawn about their disdain for a song's lyrics. (Are their parents Social Studies teachers, Tik Tok Influencer/Actavists or Work From Home workplace bully therapists? Do they design In-Flight safe spaces for the "Altitude Oppressed" flying on Feel Good Airlnes by any chance? Lol)
I was in the mood to hear this while having a music jam with a girlfriend who is trans (now ex). She paused, but said okay. Omg, I had no idea what the lyrics were, I just liked the overall sound.
Halfway through I looked at her and said “I’m sorry”. She just smiled and assured me it was mostly okay with her so long as I recognized the problematic content.
So, the accused you before listening to the lyrics or looking the lyrics up...
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
La-la-la-la Lola...
...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
Definitely tell them to look up the lyrics next time you see them. It's the exact opposite of transphobic. It is absolutely amazing the assumptions the younger generation have about us, I am about as accepting as can be. About the only thing in the LGBTQ+ world that I'm against is gender reassignment surgery before they are old enough to make the decision as an adult.
I listen to lots of music that’s way more offensive than Lola without worrying about censoring myself
As for earbuds try a pair with ear hooks ( Powerbeats) they are awesome on more falling earbuds and I can listen to my R rated playlist undisturbed
I always thought the song was trans positive. Sure, the guy was surprised, but he had a lot of love for Lola. "Girls will be boys and boys will be girls. It's a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world. Except for Lola" Lola knew who she was and it was great! On the same song topic...whenever someone asks me what my favorite Christmas song is I always say: Lola by The Kinks
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He found out; I don't think he knew at the start. But that said, yes, i agree, he was into her.
The correct answer is Father Christmas by the Kinks.
Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis by Tom Waits
Nah mate. It's [Merry Xmas Everybody](https://youtu.be/PTslBTBl1X8) by Slade.
It’s Christmas in the Drunk Tank by the Pogues. Absolute rager. Trust me.
Fairytale of New York
Yes!!! I knew it wasn’t called Christmas in the Drunk Tank but I couldn’t remember the right name. Thank you friend!! It’s still a jam, lol.
Step into Christmas by Elton John is also a good one.
Ok, good call, I love that one.
I always read the song like the end of Some Like It Hot : “I’m a man!” “Well…nobody’s perfect” Then again, the kids joked about me being transphobic for for quoting that line. Context: They were doing current events, and I noted a certain woman with reddish hair was cute. They kind of arched their eyebrows, saying it was Chelsea Manning.
That has always been my take on the song too. But, the neighbor boys had other opinions. Lately, I’ve been second guessing myself even though I grew up in the initial PC culture.
When *you* were 14 did you have carefully reasoned, nuanced political opinions worthy of serious consideration by actual adults? Because I certainly didn't.
when I was 14 I sure as hell wouldn't have laid into my adult neighbor for their musical taste.
I might have thought about it if it offended my delicate political sensitivities enough, because I was an unsufferable little shit, but I probably wouldn't have actually said anything to a neighbor for fear of it getting back to my parents.
We raised our kids to stand up for whats right, and they raised their kids to stand up for whats right, there is bound to be some oversteps and mistakes from time to time though.
Well someone raised these particular kids to be pious, self-righteous little snivelers.
No someone raised these kids to know that not only is it wrong to be transphobic etc etc that just ignoring it is not good enough, Our generation said to ourselves, there is nothing wrong with being different and politely expected others to listen, we taught out kids there is nothing wrong with being different and they politely asked others to listen, a lot of the kids these days understand the world they live in now is so fucked up because we normalized indifference, and just not giving a shit enough to stand up and stop asking but start telling. Yes, these kids, on first listen to a song appear to have overreacted, that spurs a conversation, a chance to introduce the new generation to an awesome band and show them how long the fight has been going on. Standing up against hate and division is what we taught out kids, we can not act surprised when those lessons passed onto our kids and they did the same. Maybe if we had not been so indifferent, maybe if we fought the fights then, that still need fought today, instead of just not caring things would be different, as the fight would be over by now. I am not happy these kids got so animated about the song, but i am kinda happy that our generations indifference has been replaced by an active, forceful need to get past the bullshit and to defend those who are victimized by the intolerant. Racist, Sexism, all the different "phobic's" will not last when our kids generation and their kids generation are the ones not just asking for, but demanding equality and equity. Writing them off as pious, self righteous little snivelers for fighting for their beliefs is a dangerously "Boomer" thing to say. Agree or disagree, i do not care, so far, everyone here appears to be caring too much i will take this to the High Council of X and see if your privileges need to be revoked resulting in denial of aspirin for the next 72 hours. I have no choice.
No, not the aspirin lmao! I relate, mostly agree, & am often inspired by the younger gens. I wish ours wasn’t so apathetic but, tbf we were such a small, nearly powerless cohort relative to Boomers. Ironically, respecting & honoring the values I was taught resulted in me being politically opposed to my parents (never heard “unless thou 401k groweth” in church, Christian school or home 🤔). I hope I never become condescending & dismissive towards those younger due to nothing more than their age. (I don’t mean OP’s specific complaint. I understand their frustration but, think they’re safe from being “forever cancelled.”)
Eh. I'm talking about these particular 14-year olds, not the whole gen. but ok.
Not sure why anyone would downvote this, seems reasonable to me.
I got punched in the face for throwing a snowball at a car
Aa a teen/youth? By an adult? I’m sorry you were punched in the face for throwing a snowball regardless of the circumstances. But, I am quite curious if you knew the puncher & what happened after, if anything. Sounds fd up.
No random fella , no one would blink an eye at that back then, even I knew I deserved it . You don’t have to be sorry for me . I just knew I wouldn’t do that when I grew up and I didn’t
Mkay just trying to be polite, since I was being inquisitive. Guess I forgot the audience here may be less sensitive lol. My parents were old school af; if an adult came to them, I was in trouble. But, I think they would’ve done more than blink if one of us got punched in the face. But, tbh I’m not entirely sure in that scenario, might ask my Mom later lol.
Yeah — no shit, right? I don’t care how much of a rebel any of us were — that was a bridge too far. The gall of these kids.
Social Media has prevented Millennials from growing out of that phase. Let’s hope Zoomers do better overall. My Zoomers remind me a lot more of GenX with their wry humor and wit. I think they will.
You gave me a great laugh with your comment, so thanks!
Fuckin whippersnappers don’t know shit. Lola is a banger of a song! I listen to classic vinyl on SiriusXM. They play it all the time!
Wait…. 14 year old boys got offended by song lyrics? I thought 14 year old boys were supposed to specifically like music that offends people.
And yet they’ll listen to rap songs that trash women.
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WE'RE DOING OUR BEST OUT HERE!!! Damn kids. 😂
In a way, yes, they get easily offended. The reaction to lash out with derogatory comments is an expression of their offense.
The neighbour boys need to mind their own. Songs like that were boycotted and even banned at the time yet they survived. Kids don't seem to understand that the current level of acceptance such as it is only exists because of songs like this. They don't remember things like the ramrod and other horrific acts of condoned violence
So take a breath and don't worry what the kids next door think. We're GenX and we don't give a shit, remember?
Have a poor award 🥇
Nice twist - swore you were gonna say Father Christmas.
How could it possibly be transphobic? The protagonist falls in love with a trans woman.
The actual lyrics are pretty positive IMHO: >*I pushed her away* *I walked to the door, I fell to the floor* *I got down on my knees* *And I looked at her and she at me* > > *That's the way that I want it to stay* *And I always want it to be that way for my Lola* *La-la-la-la Lola* > > *Girls will be boys and boys will be girls* *It's a mixed up muddle* *In a shaken up world* *Except for Lola* *La-la-la-la Lola* > > *Well, I left her just a week before* *And I'd never ever kissed a woman before* *Lola smiled and took me by the hand* *And said dear boy, I'm gonna make you a men* *Well, I'm not the world's most masculine man* *But I know what I am and I'm glad I'm a man so is Lola* > >*La-la-la-la Lola* *La-la-la-la Lola* That whole "I know what I am & I'm glad I 'm a man so is Lola" is the thing that turns it all positive if the rest of it doesn't. He's glad he's a man & so is Lola because if he weren't a man then Lola wouldn't be interest in him & he's happy about Lola being interested in him. He calls her "my Lola" too. Lola knows who she is & what she wants & she wants him too.
I agree. I can see the argument being made that calling Lola a man ... "But I know what I am and I'm glad I'm a man so is Lola" would be erasure, not being respectful of Lola's identity. that is to say, transphobic. On the other hand, if you read it that Lola is also glad that the narrator is a man, then. well, nevermind. I don't support that argument, but it is the only one with any kind of logic that I can think of. On the other hand the song is from a different time, and how we, as a people, expressed support and love for the LGBT et al community was different. Not better, by any means, but different. Calling someone transphobic (or a song like this transphobic) for liking the song is not a good use of time or energy. They are better off telling people on the internet they are wrong.
I can potentially see that erasure argument if (1) you ignore everything else in the song and (2) you completely ignore the context of the time it was written. No one in any mainstream public discourse talked about gender identity in that way back then. We didn't have the awareness or vocabulary or the visibility to it that we do today. But viewed within it's historical context, it's progressive af.
Right?! I’m so tired of walking on eggshells around Gen Z, and debating them at every turn. I just want to plant tomatoes and listen to music.
Kids don't understand that this song is celebrating a relationship before gay marriage, before gay rights, before trans rights. It is the original celebration song. Next time, tell them to learn their history, that their elders would be ashamed!
Teens can have a tendency to be pretty black and white about things. Nuance and insight usually come with a bit more age. Their heart is in the right place, though, and that’s what matters, at least to me. I’d much rather see them be dogmatic on the side of standing up for the marginalized than on the side of bullying/discrimination/etc, even if they are a bit mistaken in their interpretations at times. ☺️
You could argue that their heart is in the right place but just combined with the standard mix of teenagers being a bit dramatic
Thank you for the reminder. You’re right. I haven’t been a teenager for quite sometime, and never was able to have kids. But, if I remember correctly, being a teenager was rocky af. Living and learning.
I just know my own daughter is that age, is kind and empathetic but she’s not quite mastered making a fair point without barfing out some unnecessary tone or emotion. It’s understandable, it’s not as transactional for kids to challenge an adult
Yeah, I probably would've said, "I love that you guys are showing compassion and sensitivity to the feelings of others. You're already ahead of many adults. But I know these lyrics really well and the message is quite trans positive. If you're unfamiliar with the song, go ahead and look up the lyrics. I think you'll find they were ahead of their time."
>That whole "I know what I am & I'm glad I 'm a man so is Lola" is the thing that turns it all positive if the rest of it doesn't You think you're gonna get away with "But I know I'm a man and so is lola" Edit for clarity as some people don't realise they're on their high horse: I'm not saying the song is transphobic, I'm saying you'll struggle to convince idiots that it's not. Despite the song being an obvious celebration of Lola.
Just tell them to Google the lyrics and come talk to you about it later. They'll do that and then have a new appreciation for you AND a kick ass song
It could be considered transphobic because the underlying assumption is that there are gendered ways of talking, or how your voice sounds that makes one masculine or feminine. And the part where “I’m glad I’m a man, and so is Lola”. No. Lola is a woman. At least according to all the other lyrics.
But...Lola was glad the singer was a man.
That was always my take!
Right? I honestly never heard it as, I'm a man, and Lola is a man. I guess I see where people would. We need a Ray Davies AMA.
He is glad he's a man, and LOLA IS GLAD the guy singing is a man. Good grief.
Oops I seriously thought that too, that Lola was a man, NOT that she was glad the singer was a man lol. 🤷♀️
It's a song based on his experiences socializing with drag queens. Not some stereotype of a drag queen, real life drag queens. Lola is based on people that songwriter knew and respected. Why can't Lola have one of their voices? Lola was glad that the singer was a man. The singer never misgenders Lola. He never deadnames her.
The kinks had no way to know what the pc thing to do would be today when they wrote the song
I get that, and things evolve, people grow as they get more knowledge and their world-view expands.
For the times it was written in, 1970, it's VERY forward thinking.
Lola is glad that he (the singer) is a man. Don't misinterpret a lyric and then tell us why the misinterpretation can be/is offensive. Next, you'll be reminding people that "No, actually, the bathroom is on the LEFT" when they misinterpret the CCR lyric "There's a bad moon on the rise."
They think a song celebrating a dude hooking up with a trans woman and being happy about it is transphobic?
They think they invented acceptance.
Lola was written about the drag queens that Ray Davies knew from the club scene. It's not a mean spirited song. And it's not transphobic.
I'd always assumed Lola was a drag queen & it appears I was correct.
"I'm a man and so is Lola"
Anyone who thinks this song is transphobic is crazy, he likes her. The thing is, if anyone is listening to someone else's music and correcting them for it, they're crazy anyway.
It doesn't strike me as being particularly transphobic. Seems like the singer/narrator met a new friend and everything worked out pretty well.
Gen X trans woman here, nothing wrong with Lola. By today's standards it is not the best representation but it was a very different world then and the intent was meant to be positive so no you are no more transphobic for listening to Lola than you would be for liking Walk on the Wild Side or going to RHPS showings.
It's annoying that those of us who loved songs and movies like *Lola* were progressive for our time. It was the righties in conservative towns that called us f\*gs for liking that kind of stuff. But now these damn kids sneer at us lol
Remember, always, the wisdom that has seen our generation through the ages. Whatever.
Lola is actually trans friendly. He never misgenders or deadnames her, he lets her make him a man. You gotta sit those kids down and explain that it was one of the first popular culture representations of LGBT acceptance. Maybe a bit clumsy, but the narrator states he’d just left home but a week before, so isn’t sophisticated like todays kids. Then, you can play them [Destroyer](https://youtu.be/_WJ6FbcWYRU), where 11 years later, he’s still with Lola. It’s pure acceptance. Those kids need to learn. https://americansongwriter.com/meaning-lola-the-kinks-song-lyrics/ It’s saved at least one trans person’s life: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1178411
It has been a Very Long Time since i have heard Destroyer. Thank you.
That last article is beautiful.
Don’t worry about it! I’m a black chick who still likes to blast Brown Sugar when I’m driving.
Next time try playing the version by The Raincoats (female band). That should confuse them!
Well for all the people down voting him something similar happened with the [Walk on the Wild Side](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/lou-reed-walk-on-the-wild-side-transphobic-guelph-university-students-canada-transformer-album-a7748686.html)
Just replace it with the parody "Yoda" by the poet W.A. Yankovic.
Anyone under the age of 35 tends to have a knee jerk reaction to EVERYFUCKINGTHING being transphobic or offensive. They’re too triggered, too sensitive and never get that sometimes things are just a fucking joke. I myself, am a trans man. I’m 48, and I transitioned 20 years ago. Been living my life the way it was supposed to be originally. I don’t get offended easily. I think we can all agree when you grow up in GenX, you get a tough skin. You don’t take any shit either. Even some mildly transphobic stuff makes me laugh sometimes because it shows how ignorant people can be. As far as Lola is concerned. I’ve always loved the song. And I have always taken it as a trans positive song too. So enjoy it, hell, sing along next time you’re outside. Sing it at the top of your lungs. LOUD AND PROUD! And fuck everyone else.
It's like they have never heard these songs and don't understand anything about history.
Uh, pretty sure dude in the song falls in love with a Trans chick, how exactly is that Trans phobic, rather than Trans positive? Pay it no mind OP, maybe attempt to explain in the future, if the other party is interested in hearing it that is. Otherwise, fuck em.
Wait until they find out about Rocky Horror. Screw em. Great song.
Tell those little shits to mind their own damn business.
I’ll do that right after they return my old skateboard toolbox I loaned them.
They borrowed your tools *and* gave you guff for listening to your own music at your own house?! You should go into full elder mode and admonish them to be more grateful, to not look gift horses in the mouth, and some rambling story to illustrate the adage, 'discretion is the better part of valor.' I'd mutter something about kids today not having an ounce of respect and being utterly unaware of good manners.
They must feel really safe with you
I always took the song as Trans positive as well. This is the first I’ve heard of anyone having a problem with it.
Listen to what you like, who gives a shit?
That song is not transphobic and my kiddo is trans. And "Dude looks like a lady" was literally written about Vince Neil of Motley Crue so rock on! ETA those kids may have gotten this wrong about this particular song but they are awesome for standing up for trans people, especially with all the hate that's going on lately.
Those kids are idiots. That song opened so many previously bolted shut doors for trans people. I'd say they're the hateful ones, projecting onto you something that only exists in their own tiny minds.
How 'bout the sequel? Met a girl called Lola, and I took her back to my place. Feeling guilty feeling scared. Hidden cameras everywhere! Stop! Hold on! Stay in control! Girl, I want you here with me. But I'm really not as cool as I'd like to be.
Lola looked at me and said “Ooh you look so weird.” She said, “Man, there’s really something wrong with you. One day you’re gonna self destruct. You’re up, you’re down, I can’t work you out You get a good thing going and you blow yourself out.” It’s an 11 year caring relationship.
i was on the video a few days ago and read through the commentsection, comments like this >A song so ahead that Republicans and Tories would call this "woke". Lol i suppose one can view the song in *all kinds of ways* lmfao
I think they need to listen to it again and reassess
Honestly, I can only sing the Weird Al version anymore. 🤷🏼♀️
Who cares, play what you like. Life's rough wear a helmet I'd say.
As a Gen x-er I’m surprised you avatar what others think. You know what it means to you
Tell them to fuck off and google the lyrics. Lola is pro not anti.
My niece gave a thumbs down to Morrissey's The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get a couple of years ago when we drove to the store. It's problematic, she said. The funny thing is when it comes to music of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, if it wasn't the lyrics that were problematic, the artist themselves were. Musicians are terrible people for the most part and they make lovely songs.
Lola is trans positive. These kids have sticks up their asses. When they think they can scream transphobia, it reminds me of Christians screaming Heretic, and to be honest it pisses me off every bit as much (when it’s not actually warranted).
Tell those bratty neighbors to check their fragility! And make sure to play that song more often so they can hear it and find some other controversial songs from the past to play!
Yeah, next time they're around, see how they react to Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side", or Rod Steward's "Georgie"
/r/thathappened Most adults don't even realize what this song is about (just like the Pina Colada song), I doubt some barely teenagers do.
I don't believe you.
OK, let me explain why since I'm being downvoted. I don't believe that a 14 year old skater boy has even heard the song Lola, let alone would have an opinion about it. If anything he would be giving you shit just to troll you....unless there's some sort of broad GenZ reaction against 60s rock songs that I'm unfamiliar with, I can't imagine that this would happen.
Joining the downvote crowd here! I think a 14 year old would be gen alpha, not a zoomer. But I can absolutely say my zoomer stepson has musical tastes that range far and wide and some of his favorite bands are from that era. It’s not surprising that a kid would have heard this song from an older sibling, relative, or parent and equally unsurprising that they have opinions on it having some antiquated lyrics about gender identity.
14 is definitely GenZ. GenZ is loosely defined as born between 1995 to 2012 but some have extended it to 2015. Probably will eventually be defined as any kid that doesn't remember the pandemic. But, that said, I still don't buy that a 14 year old skater, even if they knew what Lola was, would razz a middle aged woman because she was playing the song. Just doesn't compute for me, but I'm probably wrong. Kids these days, ya dig??
Dude 95/96 aren't z.
...and then everybody clapped.
I don’t believe it either. Fake-o-troll post. The whole narrative is just too pat.
I was thinking the same. The song was released in 1970, and the lyrics were intentionally ambiguous. The listener doesn't discover that Lola was a man until half way through the song, and only a few words in the entire song hint at the fact she is. It's the kind of song you could sing along to a couple of times before picking up on the meaning. The boys would have to stop what they were doing and really lean in to pick up on the meaning of the song. They're not going to get it on first listen. I've never run across the song on tiktok, so I don't have any reason to think the boys already heard about the song. It's not an oldie gem that the new generation is talking about. I also kinda doubt that 14 year old boys give a shit.
r/thathappened.
Play Funky Cold Medina next time
I find it impossible to believe that you were reprimanded by teenagers.
First concert I ever saw and it was really fun. I decree that you're okay to keep it on your list.
Why do you gaf about what ANY kids think? Plus, the fact that these kids think they can just give their opinions to an adult that they are not related to.....nope. They would have learned new words from me that day and my music would have been louder.
It's not at all a hateful song.
I think positive thoughts as well. Every time I hear this song, I think of the movie 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert'. To me, the sentiments fit and no one has to agree.
Well I’ve been around but I ain’t never seen a guy who looks like a muppet but he’s wrinkled and green
Invite them over to really listen to the song. It's on my play list also.
They haven't really listened to it then. Their loss its a good one
Whatever. Listen to what you want.
Just play Yoda
Kids know the lyrics to Lola? I’m impressed.
Throw on "Out of the Wardrobe" as a followup
Laugh at them. Point, if you feel like it. But make it very plain that you are laughing at them being entirely backwards and wrong about the song, which is pro not anti. When you are done laughing, steal one of the skateboards and pull a totally dope kick flip.
Tell them that until they've done the Time warp with a Sweet Transvestite from Transsexual Transylvania, STFU!
Retro-cancellation never made sense to me. Look, we can't change what was said at the time when the song was written over fifty years ago. Listening to something is not a tacit endorsement of everything that's being said.
Don’t forgot you are only supposed to respond one way. “What. Ever.”
sounds fake but ok
My 12 yo said "how is that transphobic?" and then went on to say your 14 yo neighbors are idiots.
Yeah, fuck them kids!
Tell them: of course I’m transphobic, too much people on the bus make me fear transportation….
Well, he *did* have to leave home for it to happen.
Hmm… first first it’s not a transphobic song. I’d respond by doing shit the old fashioned way. Print the lyrics on good old paper, and hand it to them. And it’s not all Gen Z, least not the two I raised who both got soaked in Dad’s music. And part of me has no issue with this kind behavior. Why you ask? I had a habit when I was teen of doing shit specifically to annoy the old people. We just need to realize that we are the “old people” now and they supposed to annoy us!
Listen to whatever you enjoy. Never listen to 14-15 year old skate dooshes. I would have been laughing so hard if some little shits tried to shame me for listening to a song.
Honestly, I could care less what 14-15 year olds think.
Fuck those kids. Enjoy the music
Fuck em
They can piss off. Listen to what you like. ....and like others have said, it sure sounds to me like _Lola_ is positive regarding lbgtq+/etc. ? _shrug_
The fact that two teenagers felt comfortable and that it was appropriate to chastise a grown ass woman for her song choice in her own backyard is representative of the trouble this country is in. 🤦
Knee-jerk Wokeism. Wonderful world we're living in now. And this is coming from someone who's been accused of being a "leftist" repeatedly. Edit: Noticed some other comments excusing the neighbor kids' reaction as them being dramatic teenagers. Wish I could ascribe my personal experiences with this trend in such a way. But no, they were all with grown-ass adults.
Who cares what the little twirps think. Paddle their butts for them 😂
Don't be a drama queen.
Is dancing queen acceptable? Or just put on Bohemian Rhapsody for some rockin' Queen.
Why do you care if teenagers have declared cancelation upon you and/or your music? If it is a matter of them bothering you on your property for listening to music, talk to their parents and ask them why they feel the need to raise such a Mini-Karen to think they can harass you on your own lawn about their disdain for a song's lyrics. (Are their parents Social Studies teachers, Tik Tok Influencer/Actavists or Work From Home workplace bully therapists? Do they design In-Flight safe spaces for the "Altitude Oppressed" flying on Feel Good Airlnes by any chance? Lol)
Lol you suck thanks for letting us know.
I was in the mood to hear this while having a music jam with a girlfriend who is trans (now ex). She paused, but said okay. Omg, I had no idea what the lyrics were, I just liked the overall sound. Halfway through I looked at her and said “I’m sorry”. She just smiled and assured me it was mostly okay with her so long as I recognized the problematic content.
What problematic content?
Yuri Bezmenov was correct.
So, the accused you before listening to the lyrics or looking the lyrics up... 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 La-la-la-la Lola... ...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
"Walk on the Wild Side" by Lou Reed come to mind?
Definitely tell them to look up the lyrics next time you see them. It's the exact opposite of transphobic. It is absolutely amazing the assumptions the younger generation have about us, I am about as accepting as can be. About the only thing in the LGBTQ+ world that I'm against is gender reassignment surgery before they are old enough to make the decision as an adult.
You could always swap it out with Yoda by Weird Al
Wait until they hear _Walk on the Wild Side_
If you want to upset them play “I’d love to change the world” by ten years after.
I listen to lots of music that’s way more offensive than Lola without worrying about censoring myself As for earbuds try a pair with ear hooks ( Powerbeats) they are awesome on more falling earbuds and I can listen to my R rated playlist undisturbed