Related Resources • The real Kingsmen lyrics • The chords - or are they? • Hear the Kingsmen version

"If I told you the words, you wouldn't believe them anyway." - Richard Berry

Many people - even those not in the know about music history - can tell you that the Beatles' "Yesterday" is the most-covered song of all time. Not a lot of people know that the song at Number 2, however, is a song which engendered a storm of controversy upon its release, was banned in at least one US state, and was scrutinized relentlessly by the FBI.

That song is the Kingsmen's "Louie, Louie," a 60s frat anthem and garage-rock classic that is in itself a cover - the original was done by 50s R&B artist Richard Berry, who wrote it himself as a sort of sea chanty tribute (lyrically, at any rate). In Berry's original lyrics, Louie himself is a bartender, and the singer is telling him about a girl he left behind. The reason he "gotta go" is to get back to her. Simple. Charming, even. Yet when the Kingsmen covered it in 1963, they did it so cheaply that the lyrics became hopelessly garbled. Indeed, according to the band members, the vocals were sung into one huge boom mike hanging above the rest of the chaos.

When the song became a hit at frat parties, a scene often known for lascivious and outright raunchy tastes in music, the ambiguity of the Kingsmen version's vocals caused some to believe that they'd substantially altered the original lyrics. The words are definitely blurred in the hit version - the first line of the third verse is missing entirely - but a close listen reveals that the lyrics have indeed been left intact. The controversy remains fascinating, however, even though there IS profanity on the song itself - the drummer actually blurts out a positively filthy word right at the end of the second chorus. Turns out he hit his sticks together accidentally. Whoops.

Here's a collection of links to the best websites about "Louie, Louie." If you have or know of a site like this that isn't listed here, e-mail me!

Tom Simon Home Page: Louie Louie
An extensive history of the song's genesis, going back to before Richard Berry had even written the original. Is "Louie" really... a cha-cha?!

History Of Rock: The Kingsmen
The best bio on the band who created the infamous hit cover version. With photos.

The Kingsmen
This official site features photos, an extensive discography, a fan club, and upcoming tour dates, so you can hear the song in person!

Snopes.com Urban Legends Reference Pages
The granddaddy of Urban Legends pages provides this in-depth look at exactly why the words came out garbled, and quotes legendary critic Dave Marsh's "Louie, Louie" book to explain why the furor started in the first place.

Snopes.com Urban Legends Reference Pages
The granddaddy of Urban Legends pages provides this in-depth look at exactly why the words came out garbled, and quotes legendary critic Dave Marsh's "Louie, Louie" book to explain why the furor started in the first place.

The Smoking Gun: The Lascivious "Louie Louie"
Actual excerpts from the FBI files regarding the "Louie Louie" investigation. Features hilarious attempts at deciphering the "filthy" lyrics, and the Bureau's conclusion.

Was "Louie Louie" Banned in Indiana?
Did the state really ban the song, or just suggest restraint? From Purdue University's Indiana Local Government Information Page.

The Louie Louie Page
The internet's best "Louie" site, featuring a truly mind-boggling discography of cover versions, exhaustive lyric analysis, info on parodies, fakes, and appearances of the song in other media, not to mention helpful info on exactly how to play the song yourself!

LouieLouie.Net
This is the internet version of The Louie Report, a fanzine about an upcoming "Louie" documentary. Features the latest Louie news, as well as info you can't get on other sites, such as Frank Zappa's long history with the song.

Andy Land: Louie Louie
Andy Martello owns over 150 versions of "Louie, Louie" and is busily seeking out the rest. This section of his website details his obsession with self-effacing humor.

Yahoogroups: The Louie Louie Party
An online discussion group for fans of the infamous single.