Louie, Louie and the FBI

The supposedly pornographic lyrics of garageband classic “Louie Louie” by the Kingsmen were, improbably, thoroughly investigated by the FBI, who reached a conclusion on May 17th, 1965, when the FBI Laboratory declared the lyrics to be “officially unintelligible”. 

The FBI had spent two years analyzing the song, consulting outraged parents, and playing it at different speeds to uncover hidden obscenities.

In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how the controversy helped cement the reputation of this punk pop classic; explain how ‘Louie Louie marathons’ also played a part in the song’s virality; and reveal that there actually IS a hidden obscenity on the track…

Further Reading:

• ‘The FBI Investigated the Song ‘Louie Louie’ for Two Years’ (Smithsonian Magazine, 2013): https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-fbi-investigated-the-song-louie-louie-for-two-years-78752777/
• ‘‘Louie, Louie’, the most misunderstood song in history’ (Far Out Magazine, 2021): https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-kingsmen-louie-louie-fbi-investigation/
• ‘The Kingsmen - Louie Louie’ (Wand Records, 1963): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EqzTiDc-1k

#60s #US #Strange #Music

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The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.

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