The Kinks- Lola "Coca-Cola" vs. "Cherry Cola" lyrics question.

RE: The Kinks' Lola.

It's "Coca-Cola" on the album version, and "Cherry Cola" on the single version, right?

Is it any more complex than that?

I heard "Coca-Cola" on the radio today so that has to have been the album version, right?

 

That's right. "Cherry Cola" was the single version. The BBC didn't allow advertising in songs (basically anything with a branded name mentioned ,by their definition), or they would be refused airplay. The single version's slight lyric change is for that reason only, as far as I know.

 

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threa...nal-coca-cola-lyrics-on-the-song-lola.187135/

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/lola-kinks-come-together-beatles-coca-cola.255124/

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/i-met-ray-davies-tonight.330919/

 

They firsr recorded the "Coca-Cola" version, but had to make a version which refered to a generic cola for it to get played on the BBC, who didn't allow for corporate references/sponsorships, etc.

After Plastic Man (a song they seem to have written solely to get a hit on the charts as they were in financial distress in '69) was banned from the BBC for having the word "bum" in it, The Kinks wouldn't risk it again (although they seemed to play with it again with the next single, "Apeman" whose narrator may either have "fogged" or "f#%/ked" up eyes depending on how you hear it!) "Lola" went to #2 in the UK charts so it's definitely wise they made the Cherry Cola version!