Moby accuses the Kinks: "Lola is a transphobic song". Dave Davies' harsh reply

Moby's comments about the Kinks' “Lola” have reignited debate over one of the English band's best-known songs. Interviewed by the UK's Guardian for its “Honest Playlists” column, the man behind “Play” named the 1970 single as a song he can no longer listen to, calling its lyrics “vulgar and transphobic” and describing its treatment of the subject as unenlightened.

“Lola”, written by Ray Davies, tells of an encounter between a man and a transgender woman in a Soho club. At the time of its release, the song stood out for its narrative ambiguity and for an approach considered daring by the cultural standards of the era, drawing — as the songwriter himself explained — on firsthand experiences and time spent within drag circles.

Dave Davies responded to Moby's comments with a series of social media posts delivering a firm rebuttal. The musician said he was “deeply offended” by the accusation levelled at his brother, rejecting any suggestion that the band could be called backward or transphobic. Davies also recalled the band's ties to acts such as The Cockettes, who frequently joined them on tour, pointing to a context of openness and familiarity with that scene.

to @thelittleidiot Moby’s criticism of our song LOLA these are the words sent to me and Ray from our dear friend trans icon @jaynecounty27 #JayneCounty. I am highly insulted that MOBY would accuse my brother of being ‘unevolved’ or transphobic in any way. https://t.co/hBFmLPdMKH pic.twitter.com/qYcxoMc03d

— Dave Davies (@davedavieskinks) March 22, 2026

Lending weight to this reading was Jayne County, a historic figure of queer culture, who took a stance opposite to Moby's. County described “Lola” as a song that brought a then largely invisible subject into the light, recalling the personal impact it had on her: a song experienced as liberating and pioneering, one that part of the audience could grasp even when its meaning wasn't explicitly acknowledged by the media.

Dave Davies then posted another message returning to the issue, writing: “Why is Moby so rude about a simple song? We are not transphobic. Why does he have to have a go at us?”.

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