Louie Louie – The Kingsmen | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop(#2), 1963
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Alongside The Beatles and The Trashmen in January ’64, The Kingsmen hung onto the #2 position week after week in Billboard. That Louie Louie topped the charts in competing trade mag Cash Box offered some consolation, yet, the hapless group suffered mightily as Bobby Vinton and The Singing Nun hogged the #1 slot on Billboard’s Hot 100.
The Kingsmen laughed last, however, when the Jamaican sea ditty – it’s lyrics hopelessly mangled by singer Joe Ely – sounded vulgar to some ears. Rumors flew, protectors of morals reacted, and sales soared.
Over the years Louie’s survived hundreds of recordings, appeared on many movie soundtracks, and has even been honored with a book-length biography. Come to think of it, when was the last time you partied to There! I’ve Said It Again or Dominique?
This content and the Song Meaning article was created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2025 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Composer:
Lyrics Written by:
- Richard Berry
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).