Song Details
- Artist
- The Kingsmen
- Album
- The Kingsmen In Person
- Released
- 1963
- Genre
- Garage Rock
- Length
- 2:44
¶ Deep Analysis
"Louie Louie" is the ultimate party rocker, famous for being unintelligible. Lead singer Jack Ely had to shout into a microphone hanging from the ceiling, causing his words to slur so badly that the FBI launched a full investigation to determine if the lyrics were obscene.
The FBI Investigation
After 31 months of varying speeds and analysis, the FBI concluded the lyrics were "unintelligible at any speed," unknowingly cementing the song's legendary status. In reality, it's just a cover of a calypso song about a sailor returning to Jamaica.
Musically, it's a primitive, driving three-chord stomper that became the blueprint for thousands of garage bands. It captures the raw energy of rock and roll in its most unpolished form.
@ History & Impact
-
1
One Take Wonder
The Kingsmen recorded it in one take for $50. You can hear the singer come in early for the last verse because he couldn't hear the band properly, a mistake that stayed in the final mix.
-
2
Standard
It is one of the most recorded rock songs in history, with cover versions by The Clash, Motörhead, and Iggy Pop.