The original and other versions:



The classic "Louie Louie" was written and recorded by Richard Berry, a black American, in 1957. Not a hit, it attracted attention in his north-west US area. What started it was The Wailers of "Tall Cool One" fame. They had no vocalist, and used guest singers. For this one it was Rockin Robin Roberts. Released in the Seattle area in 1961 it was a big regional hit. It was in 1963 that the infamous Kingsmen, also from that area, copied it. Not an immediate hit, it was a sleeper which ended up #2 nationally on Billboard and #1 in Cashbox.

1) Richard Berry original
2) Rockin Robin Roberts and The Fabulous Wailers
3) The Kingsmen

By the way, what the craziness is about is a fellow talking to his friend Louie about sailing back to Jamaica to see his lady.
The most well known version with lyrics:



When I was a kid in the 60s, rumors abounded about Louie, Louie's lyrics, mainly revolving around the fact that the reason they were sung so incoherently was because they were filthy. Listening now, I can't even remember what we thought we heard in there.
Another song that we were absolutely convinced that had obscene lyrics was Dirty Water by the Standells.



This is what we were sure they were saying: "That's where you'll find me, along with lovers, f**ckers and thieves"
And surprising many lyrics sites still list it as fuggers and sometimes buggers neither of which is correct either. If fuggers was even a word, it would never have been allowed on the air in '66 if for no other reason than that it sounded like f**kers. And buggers is hardly a term for polite company either. And besides, someone who buggers is not a bugger but a buggerer. But I digress.... The word in the song is muggers. And imagine this, that even makes sense in the context of the song!


There've been many hit songs with commonly misheard and misunderstood lyrics that are hilarious. Do you know any more?

I'm heading out to Mama's house for this weekend so I won't have a chance to join the folly. Getting off work at 3:30 and I'm Bradenton bound in the 90. Hope she (the car) treats me well but I have the standard road kit with me.
Mama keeps me well fed so no problems there ........

Hendrix..."excuse me while I kiss this guy"

At least SOMEONE is appreciative that we brought his ancestors over here from the sand.

You're a good man, JB!

The most mangled song EVER:

The original:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN6zFN8cAPs&feature=related

Pop Version, with lyrics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fs0JoZHGP9M

To put it in perspective Springsteen was quite the stoner, and did a lot of writing in weed induced states. The original contains a verse not present in Manfred Mann's version.

The song is about getting laid, getting stoned, and cars...standard fare for Springsteen in that era.

Quote:
Yes, it's rather hard to sing "kiss the sky" and not have it come out sounding like "kiss this guy!"

Quote:

When Manfred Mann sings "revved up like a deuce" it sounds like "revved up like a douche." But they had it wrong either way. Springsteen's lyrics are "cut loose like a deuce."

Kinda takes the fun out of it, listening to the record over and over to decipher the lyrics. I had the "other" version of Louie on the brain all these years. Bathroom on the right-CCR. Gimme some lovin' Spencer Davis. Sweet Emotion-Aerosmith....Today, instant lyrics online. Amazing.

I can't take it