There are songs that always make me smile. I’ve heard them a million times, yet I still get a big grin on my face when I hear them.

On the way back from lunch, “Lola” by the Kinks was playing. Anyone who’s ever heard the song can probably figure out why it makes me smile. I think the reason I smile is because I remember the first time I really heard and understood the song. Probably like most of you, I had heard the song, or parts of it and was happily singing along when I started to pay attention to the lyrics.

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, la la la la Lola

Well, I’m not the world’s most physical guy
But when she squeezed me tight she nearly broke my spine
Oh my Lola, la la la la Lola
Well, I’m not dumb but I can’t understand
Why she walked like a woman and talked like a man

Where was this song heading? Once you start to follow the story line, you’ve got to see how it ends…

Girls will be boys, and boys will be girls
It’s a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world
Except for Lola, la la la la Lola

Well I left home just a week before
And I’d never ever kissed a woman before
But Lola smiled and took me by the hand
She said, “dear 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…

I just remember laughing out loud. Every time the song comes on, I have to sing along and I just smile.