Description
The Kinks – Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround Part One – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
Released on November 27, 1970, Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One (often shortened to Lola vs. Powerman) is one of The Kinks’ most ambitious and biting albums. Coming at a turbulent time for the band—marked by legal disputes, financial struggles, and a fight for artistic control—this record sees Ray Davies at his most cynical, theatrical, and musically adventurous. A concept album wrapped in a mix of rock, folk, country, blues, and music hall influences, Lola vs. Powerman serves as a scathing critique of the music industry’s corruption, exploitation, and absurdity.
The album is a genre-hopping masterpiece, shifting between hard rock, balladry, and English vaudeville-style whimsy. It opens with The Contenders, a riff-heavy track that immediately sets the rebellious tone, as Davies declares his determination to make it in the industry. This leads into Strangers, a rare Dave Davies-penned ballad—one of the most beautiful and heartfelt songs in The Kinks’ catalog, capturing a sense of longing and brotherhood.
The centerpiece of the album is, of course, Lola, one of The Kinks’ biggest and most enduring hits. A bold, cheeky, and groundbreaking song, Lola tells the story of a young man’s encounter with a transgender woman, all set to an irresistible acoustic-and-electric guitar groove. While the song’s playful lyrics and singalong chorus made it a hit, it was also remarkably progressive for its time, helping push the boundaries of gender representation in rock music.
Elsewhere, Top of the Pops takes a funky, almost proto-glam approach to mocking the fleeting nature of fame, while Denmark Street is a jaunty, music-hall-inspired dig at dishonest publishing companies. Get Back in Line is one of the album’s more somber moments, reflecting on working-class struggles and the desperation of musicians trying to make a living. Meanwhile, Rats, another Dave Davies contribution, injects a dose of raw, garage-rock energy into the mix.
As the album progresses, it becomes even more satirical. A Long Way from Home is a piano-driven ballad aimed at a sellout artist who has lost his way, while Moneygoround is a theatrical jab at the endless financial exploitation artists face at the hands of managers, record labels, and publishers. The album closes with This Time Tomorrow, A Long Way from Home, and Got to Be Free, all of which blend melancholy with defiance, leaving listeners with a sense of both resignation and resilience.
While Lola vs. Powerman wasn’t an immediate blockbuster in the U.S., it revitalized The Kinks’ career, especially thanks to the global success of Lola. Over time, the album has been recognized as one of their greatest works, a near-perfect blend of sharp social commentary, eclectic songwriting, and classic rock hooks.
Looking back, Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One remains a brilliantly crafted, endlessly entertaining, and highly relevant album. It’s a record that doesn’t just critique the music industry—it celebrates the power of music itself, proving that even when faced with corruption, deception, and chaos, great songs will always stand the test of time.
50th anniversary re-issue of the classic 1970 LP
Produced in association with The Kinks
Re-mastered from the original master tapes
Heavyweight black vinyl
Replicated original gatefold LP sleeve
Booklet with notes, new band quotes, rare photos & memorabilia
Features the hit singles ‘Lola’ & ‘Apeman’
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
The Contenders
Strangers
Denmark Street
Get Back In Line
Lola
Top Of The Pops
The Moneygoround
This Time Tomorrow
A Long Way From Home
Rats
Apeman
Powerman
Got To Be Free
