Posted on 05/05/2005 7:17:17 AM PDT by Dan from Michigan
School board bans band from performing 'Louie Louie'
5/5/2005, 7:20 a.m. ET
The Associated Press
BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (AP) — A pop culture controversy that has simmered for decades came to a head when a middle school marching band was told not to perform "Louie Louie."
Benton Harbor Superintendent Paula Dawning cited the song's allegedly raunchy lyrics in ordering the McCord Middle School band not to perform it in Saturday's Grand Floral Parade, held as part of the Blossomtime Festival.
In a letter sent home with McCord students, Dawning said "Louie Louie" was not appropriate for Benton Harbor students to play while representing the district — even though the marching band wasn't going to sing it.
Band members and parents complained to the Board of Education at its Tuesday meeting that it was too late to learn another song, The Herald-Palladium of St. Joseph reported.
"It's very stressful for us to try to come up with new songs for the band," eighth-grader Laurice Martin told the board. "We're trying to learn the songs from last year, but some of us weren't in the band last year."
Dawning said that if a majority of parents supports their children playing the song, she will reconsider her decision.
"It was not that I knew at the beginning and said nothing," Dawning said. "I normally count on the staff to make reliable decisions. I found out because a parent called, concerned about the song being played."
"Louie Louie," written by Richard Berry in 1956, is one of the most recorded songs in history. The best-known, most notorious version was a hit in 1963 for the Kingsmen; the FBI spent two years investigating the lyrics before declaring they not only were not obscene but also were "unintelligible at any speed."
We play "Louie Louie" in children's service - words changed, for example, the chorus is: "Pharoah, Pharoah, Woah, baby! Let my people go!" The kids love it.
Geezer.
I never knew what "Dancing with Myself" and "She-Bop" were about either!
I know. It was pretty raunchy for 1963. And then later that same year The Singing Nun came out with "Dominique." Scandalous. (Although The Singing Nun turned out to be a lesbian who left the convent and had assorted other misadventures.)
Such cruel disrespect of the disabled and infirm. Surely there's a hate crime lurking in there somewhere.
"Wrapped up like a douche in the middle of the night."
The actual lyric is "Revved up like a deuce."
Finally that mystery is unveiled! I have ALWAYS thought that "douche" version was what they were really saying. Is my face red.
I be strokin'!
All I knew was that playing Freebird and anything by Peter Frampton was sure to get you some. I sure wore those 8-tracks to the substrate.
"Geezer."
Yep. And a grumpy one, at that.
Lou Reed Walkin' the Wild Side.
and the colored girl goes, Doop, doop...
You would think that after almost 50 years SOMEONE would actually be aware that there is NOTHING WRONG with the lyrics! School band can't perform "Louie Louie" due to (not) dirty lyrics but the cheerleaders can simulate sex on the field? How droll!!
I collected all his works. His son of Shmielson album was a result of his and Ringo Starr's worst low in drug and alchohol addiction, but still very good.
Harry is one of the most under-recognized musicians in the world. Along with Todd Rundgren and Jeff Lynde of ELO.
those are the lyrics, I think. Was listening to the song just the other day. One of my favorites.
A song from the 80s (I think) I never understood was "Mamma's got a squeeze box on her chest,
And dad can't get no rest....
What does squeezebox mean? A n accordian?
Thanks, that helps me feel better about my son's musical taste.
I always thought that was dirty, but couldn't put my finger on it.
LOL - Yes, I played "Louie, Louie" in school pep bands as well, both high school and collegiate (Big 10).
Doesn't the band play instrumental arrangement anyway?
Bet it's OK to play "Kill the Ho" tho'
"She said Roy, I'm gonna make you my joy boy"........Another good one.
Benton Harbor ? Isn't that the home of CHICKENMAN ? (he's everywhere, he's everywhere)
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