From '' Friar Tuck And His Psychedelic Guitar '' Label: Mercury – MG-21111 Format: Vinyl, LP, Mono Country: US Released: 1967 Tracklist A1 Sweet Pea Written-By – Tommy Roe A2 Louis Louis A3 Work Song Written-By – Nat Adderley, Oscar Brown Jr. A4 Alley-Oop Written-By – Dallas Frazier B1 All Monked Up B2 Ode To Mother Tuck B3 A Record Hi B4 Fendabenda Ha Ha Ha B5 A Bit Of Grey Lost B6 Where Did Your Mind Go? Vocals, Arranged By [Vocals] – Curt Boettcher Vocals – Alicia Vigil, Bob Turner, Dottie Holmberg, Dyann King, Jim Bell, Michele O'Malley, Sandy Salisbury, Sharon Olsen Guitar – Ben Benay, Jim Helms, Mike Deasy Piano – Butch Parker Piano [Vibes] – Toxey French Organ – Mike Henderson Drums – Jim Troxel Bass – Jerry Scheff Engineer – Gary Paxton, Mark Taylor, Tom May Producer, Arranged By [Musical] – Mike Deasy Written-By – Mike Deasy (tracks: B1 to B6) ------------------------ "Louie Louie" is an American rock 'n' roll song written by Richard Berry in 1955. It has become a standard in pop and rock, with hundreds of versions recorded by different artists. The song was originally written and performed in the style of a Jamaican ballad; and tells, in simple verse-chorus form, the first-person story of a Jamaican sailor returning to the island to see his lady love. A recording by The Kingsmen in 1963 is the best-known version. In 1985, comedian Ross Shafer led a movement to make "Louie Louie" the state song of Washington, which failed. The song is ranked #55 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Original version by Richard Berry Richard Berry was inspired to write the song in 1955 after listening to and performing the song "El Loco Cha Cha" with Ricky Rillera and the Rhythm Rockers. The tune was written originally as "Amarren Al Loco" ("Tie up the crazy guy") by Cuban bandleader Rosendo Ruiz Jr. -- also known as Rosendo Ruiz Quevedo -- but became best known in the arrangement by René Touzet which included a rhythmic ten-note "1-2-3 1-2 1-2-3 1-2" riff. Touzet performed the tune regularly in Los Angeles clubs in the 1950s. In Berry's mind, the words "Louie Louie" superimposed themselves over the bass riff. Lyrically, the first person perspective of the song was influenced by "One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)", which is sung from the perspective of a customer talking to a bartender. Richard Berry released his version in April 1957 (Flip Records 321), originally as a B-side. When the song's popularity increased it was re-released as an A-side. However, the single never charted on Billboard's national rhythm and blues or pop charts. Berry's label reported that the single had sold 40,000 copies. After a series of unsuccessful follow-ups, Berry sold his portion of publishing and songwriting rights for $750 to the head of Flip Records in 1959. Cover versions The Kingsmen Paul Revere & the Raiders Rockin' Robin Roberts 1960s Otis Redding The Beach Boys Ray Davies The Kinks The Who Pete Townshend The Sandpipers Els Corbs The Troggs Friar Tuck Frank Zappa The Sonics The Swamp Rats 1970s Motörhead Flamin' Groovies Led Zeppelin Flash Cadillac & the Continental Kids Toots & the Maytals Hot Chocolate The Clash 1980s Black Flag 39 Clocks Pinker Tone University of Southern California Marching Band Grateful Dead Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Ross Shafer Craig Cole The Fat Boys Rhino Records - The Best of Louie Louie Rice University Marching Owl Band Ultramagnetic MC's 1990s Steve Plunkett (Autograph) The Simpsons Homer Goes to College Iggy Pop Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story Jim Jarmusch Coffee and Cigarettes Young MC Coupe de Ville Dave Robert Plant Mr. Holland's Opus Down Periscope The Three Amigos 2000s 24 Hour Party People - John the Postman Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band The Smashing Pumpkins Legacy It is unknown exactly how many versions of "Louie Louie" have been recorded, but it is believed to be over 1,500 (according to LouieLouie.net.), sur...