Brother Louie – Stories | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#1 for 2 weeks); 1973
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Interracial romance was a taboo theme for hit songs until Janis Ian’s Society’s Child broke down the barriers in 1967.
Six years passed before another tune followed in Child‘s ground- breaking footsteps, a British Top 10 hit called Brother Louie, recorded by the rock & reggae band Hot Chocolate, and penned by members Errol Brown and Tony Wilson.
Meanwhile, back in the States, another Brown – Michael – formed Stories in the early 70s, then left after only one hit, the 1972 #42 single, I’m Coming Home. Stories soldiered on and included their cover of Brother Louie on their second album.
The catchy “Louie, Louie” chorus was inspired by Louie Louie, a 10-year-old garage band classic by the Kingsmen. Just as Hot Chocolate’s Louie slipped off the UK chart, Stories‘ version slid onto the U.S. list.
By summer’s end it sat at #1. As for Hot Chocolate, their turn in the spotlight came in 1976 when You Sexy Thing danced all the way to #3.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Kenny Kerner
- Richie Wise
Lyrics Written by:
- Errol Brown
- Tony Wilson
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).