The "Louie, Louie" Story

A fine little girl, she wait for me.  Me catch the ship across the sea.
I sailed the ship all alone.  I never think I'll make it home.

Three nights and days we sailed the sea.  Me think of girl constantly.
On the ship I dream she there.  I smell the rose in her hair.

Me see Jamaica moon above.  It won't be long me see me love.
Me take her in my arms and then, I tell her I never leave again.

Louie, Louie, Me gotta go.  Louie, Louie, Me gotta go.

Wow, who wouldda thunk it? -- The unofficial words above were created way back in the mid-fifties, around a decade before The Kingsmen made a smash hit out of the tune in 1963.  While the garage band's version  never reached #1 on the coveted Billboard charts, rumor has it that the tune was shut out by the magazine since it wasn't considered to be of a "quality nature".  In fact, some analysts insist that Louie, Louie was the true #1 song for 17 consecutive weeks, which would make it one of the top five tunes of all time.  And, it's second only to Yesterday in the number of versions recorded, topping 1600 at last count.

Richard Berry of The Pharaohs coined the original version, and little did he know the popularity level it would reach and the eventual controversy it would create.  It fact, he later sold the song for around $100 to help finance his wedding.  But, by the time The Kingsmen added their own touches in the 1963 version, parents were convinced that the unintelligible lyrics were filthy and full of innuendo.  It reached the point that the FBI was actually called in to determine what the true lyrics were, but after months of review were unable to determine anything.

Rather infamous for a simple tune about bartender Louie, as he listened to the sailor's story about soon going home to reunite with his love.

Louie, Louie continues to be recognized by every generation, old and young alike.  And, it triggers memories for all of us, whether that be 60's rock and roll, the movie Animal House, or that big ball game when the tune blared out at halftime.

Me gotta go!!

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