Louie, Louie

The vocals by lead singer Jack Ely have been referred to as sounding "like Donald Duck on helium", but regardless The Kingsmen had a hit on their hands in 1963. Louie, Louie was actually a Jamaican love song written in 1955. Several groups covered it, from Paul Revere and the Raiders to Iggy Pop.


The song had notoriety associated with it. Because the Kingsmen's version was virtually unintelligible, some radio stations banned the single because they thought it was laced with profanity. At one point the FBI got involved but after a 31-month investigation reported that they were "unable to interpret any of the wording in the record". After 31 months they still couldn't make out the words!





Nice hat, Jack!

Here's the lyrics from The Kingsmen's 1963 version of the song. This was what the fuss was all about!

Louie Louie, oh no, me gotta go,
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, baby.
Louie Louie, oh baby, me gotta go.

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

Louie Louie, oh no, me gotta go,
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, baby.
Louie Louie, oh baby, me gotta go.

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

Louie Louie, oh no, me gotta go,
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, baby.
Louie Louie, oh baby, me gotta go.
OK, let's give it to 'em right now

(guitar solo)

Me see . . .

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

Louie Louie, oh no, me gotta go,
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, baby.
Louie Louie, oh baby, me gotta go
I said we gotta go now
Let's step on out of here
Let's go!