Thursday April 1, 2021 “Louie, Louie” The Kingsmen
OK it’s April Fool’s Day, and why exactly is that you are asking yourself, right?
Apparently the questionable answer to the origins of April Fool’s Day goes back to 1387 in the “Nun’s Priest’s Tale” in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales where the rooster, Chaunticleer is tricked by a fox, it’s always a fox isn’t it, into believing that March has 32 days. So there you have it, go ahead and impress all of those who have no idea why we go through this April 1st foolishness...and maybe care less.
On to “Louie, Louie” which was written and recorded unsuccessfully by Richard Barry in 1953 and then ten years later the Kingsmen offered their version. It is just such an appropriate song for this frivolous date while at the same time it fits our lyrical investigations.
According to legend, the FBI spent two years investigating the lyrics to this song because so many parents feared they were either suggestive and obscene or contained secret messages that only teenagers understood. A two year investigation into “Louie, Louie”!?
The truth is, it was the second take by a band that may have been impaired by a bit too much of the alcohol muse and a producer who really had no idea what he was doing. The Kingsmen were putting together an audition tape for a cruise ship gig that they never got, instead they recorded one of the most iconic garage songs of all time.
Louie Louie" has been recognized by organizations and publications worldwide for its influence on the history of rock and roll. A partial list of admirers includes the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, National Public Radio, VH1, Rolling Stone Magazine, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Recording Industry Association of America."
And mark your calendars, because “Louie, Louie” day is coming up on April 11. Sadly, this is a true fact.
In a world of irony, after their two year investigation the FBI found nothing, but if you listen carefully, right around :54 seconds the drummer dropped one of his drumsticks and shouted “F$ck!”, listen carefully. So I guess it really may have had some ‘dirty’ lyrics. Also take note of the singer’s false start after the instrumental break. Hey, it was the second (drunken) take.
Stay safe and well...and below is a treasure, the actual lyrics to “Louie, Louie”, and just try to use them to sing along with the Kingsmen’s version.