The Kinks - Lola - 1970





The Kinks: "Lola" (1970)

The Kinks were a significant part of the British Invasion of the US music scene in the 1960s. In 1970, they released one of their most iconic songs, "Lola." This song stands out for its narrative and musical style, as well as its controversial subject matter at the time of its release.

Background and Release

"Lola" is a song by the British band The Kinks. It was written by the band's lead vocalist and primary songwriter, Ray Davies. Released in June 1970, the song is known for its distinctive riff and satirical lyrics. The song tells the story of a romantic encounter between a young man and a transgender woman, which was a daring topic for its time.

  1. Learn more about The Kinks
  2. Explore the British Invasion
  3. About Ray Davies

Musical Composition

Musically, "Lola" combines a hard rock edge with a pop sensibility. The song features a simple, catchy guitar riff and a strong narrative style in the lyrics, making it memorable and easily recognizable.

  1. Discover More about Rock Music
  2. Songwriting Techniques

Cultural Impact

The song was both controversial and groundbreaking. It challenged social norms and opened discussions on topics of gender identity and sexuality, which were not commonly addressed in popular music at the time.

  1. 1970s Music and Social Change
  2. Gender Identity and Music

Interactive Tasks

Quiz: Questions on the song

What was one of the reasons "Lola" was controversial upon its release?

In "Lola," what is the song's protagonist surprised to discover about Lola?

Which band member of The Kinks wrote "Lola"?

What musical style is "Lola" primarily associated with?

What year was "Lola" by The Kinks released?





Quiz: Questions on the Performer

Before "Lola," The Kinks were already famous for which song that became a hit in the 1960s?

What is a unique characteristic of The Kinks' music style?

Which instrument was primarily used in the opening riff of "Lola"?

Which country is The Kinks from?

In what decade did The Kinks first gain popularity?





Quiz: Questions on the lyrics

Which line in "Lola" suggests the ambiguity of Lola's gender?

In "Lola," what does the protagonist say about Lola's voice?

How does the protagonist in "Lola" describe their drink?

What is the setting of the song "Lola"?

The lyrics "Well, I'm not the world's most physical guy, But when she squeezed me tight she nearly broke my spine" are from which song?





Memory

Ray Davies1970British InvasionWrote "Lola"Gender IdentityCentral theme of "Lola"Guitar RiffYear "Lola" was releasedDistinctive feature in "Lola"Era when The Kinks gained fame





Open Tasks

Easy

  1. Research The Kinks: Find out more about other songs by The Kinks and how they contributed to the rock genre.
  2. Analyze Lyrics: Analyze the lyrics of "Lola" and discuss its narrative style and subject matter.
  3. Musical Genres: Explore different musical genres of the 1970s and see how "Lola" fits within them.

Standard

  1. Social Impact of Music: Research and write about how songs like "Lola" influenced social attitudes towards gender and sexuality.
  2. Songwriting Analysis: Compare "Lola" with another song from the same era, focusing on lyrical content and musical style.
  3. Cultural Research: Investigate the cultural and social context of 1970 in the UK and how it might have influenced the music of The Kinks.

Difficult

  1. Create a Music Video: Create your own music video for "Lola," keeping in mind the song's themes and historical context.
  2. Interview Project: Conduct interviews with people who were teenagers when "Lola" was released, and gather their thoughts on the song's impact.
  3. Music and Identity: Write an essay on how music can influence one's identity, using "Lola" as a case study.



Text bearbeiten Bild einfügen Video einbetten Interaktive Aufgaben erstellen


Oral Exam

  1. Comparative Analysis: Compare "Lola" to a modern song that addresses similar themes. Discuss the evolution of social attitudes towards gender identity in music.
  2. Historical Context: Explain how the cultural and social environment of the late 1960s and early 1970s influenced the music of The Kinks.
  3. Creative Interpretation: If "Lola" were released today, how might the public reception differ? Discuss with examples from contemporary music.
  4. Music as Social Commentary: Discuss how music can serve as a form of social commentary, using "Lola" and another song of your choice as examples.
  5. Influence on Future Artists: Discuss how The Kinks and "Lola" may have influenced later musicians and songwriters.


OERs on the Topic


Links

Share - Discuss - Rate


MUSIC QUIZ





Text bearbeiten Bild einfügen Video einbetten Interaktive Aufgaben erstellen

Teilen Facebook Twitter Google Mail an MOOCit Missbrauch melden Zertifikat beantragen

0.00
(0 Stimmen)