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Play 7 Classic Songs In 7 Days:

Day 5: Lola (The Kinks).

Originally recorded by The Kinks and written by lead singer Ray Davies, Lola was released in the UK in June 1970. Despite being controversial, the song reached number two on the UK singles chart, and number nine on the Billboard Hot 100.

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Song Background

The song details a romantic encounter between a young man and a possible (or should we say probable) transvestite, whom he meets in a club in Soho, London. The lyrics describe the man’s confusion towards a person named Lola, who “walked like a woman and talked like a man”.

Although Ray Davies claims that the incident was inspired by a true encounter experienced by the band’s manager, alternate explanations for the song are also kicking around. However, we like Ray Davies’ one the best!At the time of its release, some radio stations took exception at the song’s lyrics and censored it by not playing the track on air. Despite that, it still reached the top 10 in the U.S. and throughout Europe. That didn’t do much good then did it! Introduction

Lola is probably the most challenging song so far, in that it involves open chords, barre chords, at least 3 different strumming patterns, chords and a constant change of feel regarding the way you need to tackle different segments of the track.We have a quiet “picky” start, embellishments between verses and choruses and a fairly aggressive middle 8; all of which will keep you on your toes as you prepare yourself for any of these changes.Once you have mastered this tune, you will be very pleased with yourself.

The Strumming Patterns

There are several strumming patterns in the song, coupled with some picking, so we have not shown what they are diagrammatically. Also, they are not an exact science, so this is definitely one for you to experiment with. Instead, it will be more beneficial to watch the suggested videos and patterns demonstrated by Andy.With all the chords as well, it will certainly test your muscle memory.

The Song Chords.

Lola Chords

The Song Structure.

Intro – C D E

Verse 1

EI met her in a club down in old Soho

                     A                                     D                             EWhere you drink champagne and it tastes just like cherry Cola

                 A      Asus4C O-LA Cola

           EShe walked up to me and she asked me to dance

   A                                         D                                       EI asked her her name and in a dark brown voice she said Lola

                 A    D             C       D EL-O-LA Lola la-la-la-la Lola

Guitar – E

Verse 2

         EWell I’m not the world’s most physical guy

                           A                                           DBut when she squeezed me tight she nearly broke my spine

               E A   D          EOh my Lola la-la-la-la Lola

         EWell I’m not dumb but I can’t understand

                     A                                   DWhy she walked like a woman but talked like a man

               E A                    D                   C       D   EOh my Lola la-la-la-la Lola la-la-la-la Lola

Guitar – E

Bridge 1

                 BWell we drank champagne and danced all night

F#Under electric candlelight

AShe picked me up and sat me on her knee

                      AmAnd said “Dear boy, won’t you come home with me?”

Verse 3

         EWell I’m not the world’s most passionate guy

                     A                                     D                         EBut when I looked in her eyes well I almost fell for my Lola

E                 A D                 C       D   ELa-la-la-la Lola la-la-la-la Lola

E                      A D                     C     D ELola la-la-la-la Lola la-la-la-la Lola

Guitar – E 

Middle 8:

   A     C#m B       A     C#m   BI pushed her away, I walked to the door

   A   C#m   B           E   G#m   C#mI fell to the floor, I got down on my knees

     BThen I looked at her and she at me

Verse 4

         EWell that’s the way that I want it to stay

               A                     D                             EAnd I always want it to be that way for my Lola

A                 Asus4La-la-la-la Lola

EGirls will be boys and boys will be girls

           A                                   D                                     EIt’s a mixed up muddled up shook up world except for Lola

Bridge 2

         BWell I left home just a week before

       F#And I’d never ever kissed a woman before

         ABut Lola smiled and took me by the hand

         Am And said “Dear boy, I’m gonna make you a man”

Verse 5

         EWell I’m not the world’s most masculine man

             A                                   DBut I know what I am and I’m glad that I’m a man

                   EAnd so is Lola

               A D                 C       C D ELa-la-la-la Lola la-la-la-la Lola

E               A D                C       C D ELola la-la-la-la Lola la-la-la-la Lola

E   A   D     C   D   E – Fades Out

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