The Kinks’ “Apeman,” from their 1970 album, Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part 1, made famous by its lead single “Lola,” was an ode to the simple life, with the Davies’ declaring he wants to "sail away to a distant shore and make like an apeman.” If Ray Davies had had enough of the modern world back in 1970, we can’t even begin to imagine how he’s coping these days! 

Much like with lead single “Lola” – where Davies had to leave a U.S tour and fly back to the U.K to change the lyric “Coca-Cola” to “cherry cola” to avoid airplay rules about brand names – the singer had to again fly back to the U.K to re-record the line "the air pollution is a-foggin' up my eyes" because his annunciation of the word "a-foggin'" sounded too close to something… much less radio-friendly in the era. 

But all that effort was worth it. Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround was a groundbreaking concept album of its era and, after recently celebrating its 50th anniversary in November last year, remains a classic to this day. Check out The Kinks’ rowdy rendition of the “The Apeman” on Top of the Pops in 1970 below. 

The Kinks | “Apeman” [Top of the Pops, 1970]

Last year, the band released a special 50th-anniversary edition of Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround on CD and vinyl. Check out it, and more of the Kinks' albums, below. 

GET THE KINKS’ ALBUMS ON VINYL, HERE. 

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