You’ve heard the song (and if not, hurry to your music provider of choice, it will be there). It is a classic rock and roll standard, but admit it, you don’t understand the lyrics. That is why it is perfect for slurring drunkly in accompaniment (see the movie “Animal House” for demonstration).

The creator of the song was R&B singer Richard Berry and his band “The Pharaohs” and was released in 1957. Later artists covered the tune with the most popular being “The Kingsmen’s” version. The undecipherable lyrics were actually investigated by the FBI trying to find obscenities or some hidden message. Of course there were none but I picture full suited agents with big clunky headsets playing the song over and over again.

Of course they did not have the internet where you can find the lyrics to just about any song. It is actually a song about a sailor who spends three days traveling to Jamaica to see his girl as told to a bartender named Louie. Put the needle down (or to our young friends, press play) and sing along!

Louie Louie, oh no, you take me where ya gotta go, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, baby
Louie Louie, oh baby, take me where ya gotta go
A fine little girl, she waits for me
Me catch the ship across the sea
Me sailed the ship all alone
Me never think I’ll make it home
Louie Louie, oh no no no, me gotta go, oh no
Louie Louie, oh baby, me gotta go
Three nights and days I sailed the sea
Me think of girl constantly
On the ship, I dream she there
I smell the rose in her hair
Louie Louie, oh no, me gotta go, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, baby
Louie Louie, oh baby, me gotta go
Okay, let’s give it to ’em right now
Me see
Me see Jamaica, the moon above
It won’t be long me see me love
Me take her in my arms and then
I tell her I’ll never leave again
Louie Louie, oh no, me gotta go, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, baby
Louie Louie, oh baby, me gotta go
I said me gotta go now
Let’s hustle on out of here
Let’s go