Louie Louie
Sonics (the) Lyrics
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Louie Louie, me gotta go now
A fine girl, she wait for me.
Me catch the ship across the sea.
Then sailed me ship all alone.
Never think I'll make it home.
Louie Louie, me gotta go now.
Three nights and days we sailed the sea.
Me think of girl constantly.
And on the ship, I dream she' there.
I smell the rose in her hair.
Louie Louie, me gotta go now
Louie Louie, me gotta go now
Louie Louie, me gotta go now
Louie Louie, me gotta go now
Me see Jamaican moon above.
It won't be long me see me love.
Me take her in my arms again
I tell that I dream her there.
Louie Louie, me gotta go
now.
Louie Louie, me gotta go now.
The lyrics of "Louie Louie" were written by Richard Berry in 1955 and recorded in a slower calypso influenced style. It was re-recorded in 1963 by The Kingsmen and it was their version that became internationally famous and controversial due to concerns over possible "obscene" lyrics. However, the lyrics are actually about a sailor who is leaving Jamaica to return home to his love, and is simply saying goodbye to his friends.
The repetition of "Louie Louie" throughout the song serves as a refrain that is both catchy and memorable, making it one of the most recognizable songs of all time. The song's simplicity and easy-to-remember melody have made it perfect for cover versions, and it has been recorded by artists across all genres.
Richard Berry never received royalties for the Kingsmen's version, as he had sold the rights to the song for just $750. However, in 1986, he was able to regain ownership of the song after a long legal battle.
Interestingly, the FBI investigated the song in 1963, as it was believed that the lyrics were indecipherable and possibly obscene. However, after analyzing the lyrics, the FBI determined that they were in fact innocuous.
Despite being covered countless times, "Louie Louie" has only ever reached the top ten once when The Kingsmen's version hit #2 on the US billboard charts in 1963.
In 1985, the Washington State Legislature officially declared "Louie Louie" the state song.
The song has been featured in numerous films, including Animal House, which helped to further cement its status as a party anthem.
"Louie Louie" has been covered by famous artists such as The Beatles and Led Zeppelin, and has been recorded in various languages, including Spanish and Japanese.
A 2001 documentary called "The Meaning of Louie" explored the cultural impact of the song on American society.
The chords for "Louie Louie" are relatively simple, consisting of A, D, and E.
Line by Line Meaning
Louie Louie, me gotta go now
I must depart now, Louie Louie
Louie Louie, me gotta go now
I really must leave, Louie Louie
A fine girl, she wait for me.
A lovely lady awaits my return
Me catch the ship across the sea.
I'll board the vessel bound for distant shores
Then sailed me ship all alone.
I set out on my voyage unaccompanied
Never think I'll make it home.
However, I have doubts I'll ever return
Three nights and days we sailed the sea.
We spent three nights and days on the open water
Me think of girl constantly.
She is never far from my thoughts
And on the ship, I dream she' there.
During the voyage, I envision her by my side
I smell the rose in her hair.
I can almost smell the sweet fragrance of her hair
Me see Jamaican moon above.
I spot the Jamaican moon up in the sky
It won't be long me see me love.
Soon, I'll be reunited with my beloved
Me take her in my arms again
I'll embrace her in my arms once more
I tell that I dream her there.
I'll recount how I imagined her presence on the journey
Louie Louie, me gotta go
I really have to go, Louie Louie
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RICHARD BERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
saemikneu
The Sonics.. inventor of punk! straight, aggressive, repetetitive riffs!
Hungry Hubby
1966. Back then I was a 14 year old guitar loving kid in Vancouver WA when I first heard this. I felt like I was hearing rock n roll as it was meant to be played. I still feel that way. The Sonics did it like no other NW band.
Fire Striker
That be the kinks
Fire Striker
@Hungry Hubby Nah. The Kinks did it like the Sonics did and so did the Barbarians
Fire Striker
Not repetitive
Hungry Hubby
@Fire Striker I love the Kinks but there is no comparison really. They sound more like the Kingsmen's version which is exactly what Sonics did not want, and they don't. It has a raw, hard sound that is totally missing in the Kinks version. And to the best of my knowledge the Kinks are not a NW rock band, which was my point.
bobrulz
Amazing that a song this crunching and heavy could be released in 1965.
Hungry Hubby
I was there in WA state when this hit the airwaves. It was wild. Nothing like it anywhere in the country at that time.
Peter Mclaughlin
Pre Skinhead Hard Mod pre oiboy classic
dave Dalton
Are these guys the most underrated rock group ever, or what? Put simply, they kick ass!