Lola by The Raincoats Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Enigma of Identity and Desire
Lyrics
Where they drink champagne and it tastes just like cherry-cola
C-O-L-A cola
She walked up to me and she asked me to dance
I asked her her name and in a dark brown voice she said Lola
L-O-L-A Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
I’m not the world’s most physical guy
But when she squeezed me tight she almost broke my spine
Oh my Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
I’m not dumb but I can’t understand
Why she walks like a woman and talks like a man
Oh my Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
Well we drank champagne and danced all night
Under electric candlelight
She picked me up and sat me on her knee
And said “little boy won’t you come home with me?”
I’m not the world’s most passionate guy
But when I looked in her eyes well I almost fell for my Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
I pushed her away
I walked to the door
I fell to the floor
I went down on my knees
And I looked at her and she at me
That’s the way that I want it to stay
And I always want it to be that way for my Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
Girls will be boys and boys will be girls
It’s a mixed up muddled up shook up world except for Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
Well I left home just a week before
And I’d never never ever kissed a woman before
Lola smiled and took me by the hand
And said “little boy I’m gonna make you a man”
Well I’m not the world’s most masculine man
But I know what I am and I’m glad I’m a man
And so is Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola
The Raincoats, a post-punk band that emerged from the anarchic crucible of the late 1970s, often tackled subjects with exceptional nuance and vigor. Their cover of ‘Lola’ is no less thrilling than their original work, a rendition that peers into the themes of identity and raw human connection. The song, written by The Kinks and released in 1970, was already a vibrant exploration of gender and sexual fluidity, engaging audiences with its narrative prowess.
The Raincoats, with their feminist ethos and avant-garde sound, put a new spin on the tale of ‘Lola.’ Their interpretation feels like a deliberate infiltration, reframing the conversation surrounding the intricacies of gender identity. The raw edges of their sound and gender-bending perspectives invite listeners to reinterpret Lola’s story once again.
Through the Post-Punk Lens: A Revitalized Lola
When The Raincoats came onto the scene, they brought with them an approach to music that broke from tradition, their DIY ethics and abrasive sound clashing with the polished rock of the era. Their version of ‘Lola’ carries this spirit, teeming with punk energy and embodying a more introspective confrontation with societal norms. The music itself seems to question just as the lyrics do, forming a potent cocktail of signifiers.
The angular guitar lines and the jagged vocal delivery emphasize the tension present in the song’s narrative. Far from being a simple cover, The Raincoats’ ‘Lola’ can be construed as a feminist statement that embraces ambiguity and seeks to dismantle fixed ideas surrounding gender and sexuality, which were — and still are — highly topical issues.
A Tapestry of Gender: The Raincoats’ Interpretive Dance
The central character in ‘Lola’ as sung by The Raincoats becomes a figure that defies binary classifications. Here, ‘Lola’ transforms into an anthem for those who exist beyond the margins of conventional gender roles. It’s no longer merely a song about an encounter but a broader statement on self-identification, personal power, and the courage to embody one’s true self without concession.
The Raincoats never shy away from the complexities of the character Lola, instead, they highlight her enigma and allure. As the song progresses, listeners are invited not just to appreciate the story told, but to confront the very foundation of their understandings of masculinity, femininity, and everything in between.
Decoding the Hidden Message in ‘Lola’
Some might argue that ‘Lola’ conceals a profound commentary on the liberation from socially imposed roles. The song’s character, after all, transgresses traditional gender boundaries and embodies a state of being that is wholly self-defined. In the hands of The Raincoats, the track’s subtext is less veiled, as it’s sung by women who are part of a movement challenging the status quo.
This version of ‘Lola’ exalts the notion of self-discovery and the legitimacy of one’s lived experience. The reality of the club in Old Soho, where champagne tastes like cherry-cola, is a metaphorical space where society’s rules blur and where labels lose their grip, offering listeners a glimpse into a world where every individual’s essence is both acknowledged and celebrated.
Unforgettable Lyrics: Simplicity Speaks Volumes
Despite the complex themes interwoven through ‘Lola,’ it’s the deceptively simple lines that stick—’Girls will be boys and boys will be girls; It’s a mixed up muddled up shook up world’—an arresting reflection challenging our anchored perceptions. These memorable lines serve as curious daggers, cutting through the dense fabric of the normative worldviews they interrogate.
The Raincoats magnify this simplicity by ensuring that each repetition of ‘Lola’ carries with it a fresh layer of meaning, a chant that becomes almost hypnotic in nature. Every ‘Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola’ reverberates with a dual sense of both mystique and familiarity, fostering an environment where the dialogue surrounding identity is candid and continuous.
Implications and Impact: The Raincoats’ Enduring Legacy
The Raincoats’ artistic choices often went beyond mere music-making—they reflected and influenced the cultural tides of their time. Their rendition of ‘Lola’ is a bold iteration that captures the core of what the original song represented while pushing its themes further into the spotlight. This cover is not simply a homage but a new lens through which the sanctuary of personal truth is given voice.
In today’s era, where conversations about gender and sexuality have progressed but still encounter resistance, ‘Lola’ as interpreted by The Raincoats is a reminder of the power entrenched within music to confront, to question, and to transform. It remains a vital piece of the canon, a song that continues to resonate with a clarity that echoes through generations.
