On May 17th in music history, one significant event took place in 1965. It was on this day that the FBI Laboratory declared the allegedly pornographic lyrics of the song "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen to be officially unintelligible.
"Louie Louie" was written by Richard Berry in 1955 and has become one of the most recorded rock songs of all time, with over 1,600 versions. The Kingsmen's 1963 cover, however, sparked a major controversy due to its hard-to-understand lyrics, which led many to believe the song contained obscene words.
The FBI launched a formal investigation in 1964 after receiving complaints from parents who were convinced the song was communicating obscenities. The Bureau spent over two years investigating the matter, interviewing witnesses, listening to the record at various speeds, and even examining the song's copyright sheet.
On May 17, 1965, the FBI Laboratory finally concluded that the lyrics were "unintelligible at any speed." They stated that "we found the record to be unintelligible at any speed we played it." The investigation was officially closed, and "Louie Louie" was exonerated of all charges.
Ironically, the controversy and the subsequent investigation actually boosted the song's popularity. The single had sold 1 million copies before the investigation ended and went on to become a classic rock staple.
The incident has become a humorous footnote in rock history and a testament to the power of music to stir up cultural controversies. It also serves as a reminder of how the interpretation of art is subjective and can vary greatly from person to person.
