Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

What are your memories of this song and why did it become so famous. Roy, can you read my thoughts?

For me, this song was unique for its day. It had a nice guitar solo but the chord pattern certainly grabbed the attention of the listener, A, D and Em instead of the predictable and expected E7. I was never taken by the lyrics.

The Chorus

Louie Louie, oh no
Me gotta go
Aye-yi-yi-yi, I said
Louie Louie, oh baby
Me gotta go

Fine little girl waits for me
Catch a ship across the sea
Sail that ship about, all alone
Never know if I make it home

CHORUS

Three nights and days I sail the sea
Think of girl, constantly
On that ship, I dream she's there
I smell the rose in her hair.

CHORUS

Okay, let's give it to 'em, right now!

GUITAR SOLO

See Jamaica, the moon above
It won't be long, me see me love
Take her in my arms again
Tell her I'll never leave again

CHORUS

Let's take it on outa here now
Let's go!!

...just my $.02 (after having tried the chord pattern on my guitar) imho, it deserves attention if for this chord pattern alone. On top of that, the tune is very catchy - something you just cannot resist...

ANIMAL HOUSE!

For those interested…
Turns out that Dave Marsh (former Rolling Stone writer) wrote a history book about just Louie Louie. The book was out-of-print and has recently been re-published:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/047203023X/qid=1137765849/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-3586587-4879822?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

It is an amazing story and a great read.

I can't recall what part of the lyrics were misconstrued but the song supposedly contained sexual innuendo . I believe, as the story goes, if the Kingsmans' version of the 45 was played at 33 and 1/3 you supposedly could hear the 'dirty' version.

http://s5.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1ZV5XK4RDW18M0WIX9OT9WM7PD

Kingsmen had the hit version but here's a version by The Kinks.

Personally I never liked the song.

Stan, all,
Read the book.
It really was a fascinating story (even involving the FBI of all people) and cultural phenomenon.
Not crazy about the song either, though I never have heard the Richard Berry original.

The very best version: Ian Underwood of The Mothers of Invention on the Royal Albert Hall pipe organ...

"Okay, let's give it to 'em, right now!". indeed...

Stan, this page "tells" the story...
http://www.snopes.com/music/songs/louie.htm
(again, thanks Jason Bickel for a link)

The Richard Berry version is completely different, it's almost like a soul ballad and is terrible IMHO. The Kingsmen do or did an annual outdoors Louie Louie festival in their hometown in California. Imagine an hour long version of that song with people taking turns playing it, you'd love it Roy, haha! This was a feature on the TV news about ten years ago. I too believe it's amazing success has something to do with the Em chord and also it's reputation back then of being a "dirty" song and besides it's just a good simple rocking song. The FBI analysed this song way back looking for the supposed dirty lyrics and this is true.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/louie/louie.html

A guy I occasionally play with used to sub for their keyboard player back in the 60's. I think this tune is a garage rock classic and the epitome of that style. I was tired of it for many years but it's been so long I can listen with new ears now.

http://www.xs4all.nl/~tdg/louie1.html

all sorts of websights like this

Anyone remember their other fairly big hit?

Oh... now i see it... thanks for the links, Bob. A sort of "mishearing", like "who put ham and eggs on you"?
And this song brings up memories of my graduation day... believe it or not.

This song lives on and on. Was required learning when I was a kid just starting to play, was almost a joke because everyone could play it and many did play it with a major instead of a minor E.

I received the Dave Marsh book today, Louie LouIe and it's great, hard to put down.

Glad you like it Rob.
Happy to hear it.
I told ya, it's an amazing story.