October 24, 1970
The hit single Lola by The Kinks had just climbed inside the Top Ten of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, with the British band from London proving that indeed, “things go better with Coke.”
Peaking at #9 on this date – on its 9th week on the chart – it managed to remain at that position for a second week, at #10 the following, before finally dropping off on November 14th.
Released initially in many parts of the world that excluded North America, the record was met with both some resistance and contention, particularly in the group’s native UK and in Australia.
As for the impediment, the song references the famous cola beverage in its opening line. However, the radio division of the British Broadcasting Corporation had a policy of not airing program content which contained names of commercial products – which they felt was the case with ‘Lola.’
In order to gain airplay for the record on the influential network, band leader and vocalist Ray Davies, who at the time was in the United States when informed of the BBC opposition, had to scramble to find an immediate flight back to London to re-record just the “Coca-Cola” line – using “Cherry Cola” in its place.
The amended version was issued by Pye Records in the United Kingdom on June 12, 1970 and reached #2 on the UK Singles Chart.
The (Original) Kinks
(L-R)
Peter Quaife (Bass), Dave Davies (Lead guitar), Mick Avory (Drums) & Ray Davies (Lead vocals/Rhythm guitar)
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Following the record’s release, controversy abounded. Due to the nature of the song’s content, about an apparently (to Davies) identity-confused transvestite named ‘Lola’ in a bar in “old Soho” – who “walked like a woman and talked like a man” – the song was banned in several countries, and still is to this day.
[Note] Davies has always maintained the story is from a personal experience of the band’s manager Robert Wace. Whereas Kinks’ drummer Mick Avory has claimed that Davies wrote ‘Lola’ when he brought Ray to a secret “alternative” club where so-inclined patrons were undoubtedly attracted to the nature of their name, Kinks.
Both versions of ‘Lola’ are presented here – and both in RARE stereo!
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[Note] Some audio song files may not play on smartphones, tablets or connected devices. A laptop, desktop PC or Mac may be required for optimal enjoyment.
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LOLA
The Kinks
(UK “Cherry Cola” Version)
[1970]
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The North American release date of the single was June 28, 1970, with the original “Coca-Cola” version left intact by Reprise Records and none of prior issues it experienced elsewhere.
LOLA
The Kinks
(“Coca-Cola” Version)
[1970]
‘Lola’ was the fifth biggest hit record for the Kinks on Billboard – with number one being You Really Got Me (1964 • #7), followed by Come Dancing (1983 • #6), Tired Of Waiting For You (1965 • #6) and All Day And All Of The Night (1965 • #7), in that order – and none of them were million-sellers.
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Despite its early troubles, the recording has since become one of The Kinks’ most iconic and popular songs, later being ranked at #422 on Rolling Stone magazine’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”, as well as #473 on the UK’s NME (New Musical Express) “500 Greatest Songs Of All Time” rankings.
The Kinks were inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
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Songs Source: The Music Vault of HouseoftheHits, Inc.
Billboard® Chart Data: Joel Whitburn’s Record Research (eBook Editions)
Record Sleeve & Label Graphics: Courtesy of 45cat
