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Dave Davies Rebukes Moby Over Calling 'Lola' Transphobic

The dispute highlights fresh scrutiny of a 1970 hit about a gender-nonconforming character.

Overview

  • In a Guardian Q&A, Moby said he can no longer listen to The Kinks’ “Lola” and called its lyrics “gross and transphobic.”
  • Kinks guitarist Dave Davies replied on X that he was “highly insulted,” urged Moby to “be careful what he says,” and said the band is not transphobic.
  • Davies posted a letter from trans punk pioneer Jayne County praising “Lola” as a barrier-breaking song that felt meaningful to her.
  • In a Rolling Stone interview, Davies said Ray Davies reacted by asking “Who the f-ck is Moby?” and he accused Moby of misreading the track.
  • Moby has not specified which lyrics he finds offensive and has not issued a further response.