10 Rock Music Songs That Got Banned From Certain Countries
5. Louie Louie - The Kingsmen (United States)
Though it can trace its roots back to the artist Richard Berry in the 1950s, Louie Louie is mostly associated with Portland rock band The Kingsmen and their 1963 version.
A simple tune with largely incoherent lyrics sung over a combination of drums and synths, the track is widely considered to be one of the most defining numbers in rock history, helping to establish the raw performance spirit that would become so closely associated with the genre.
For all the good work it did culturally, Louie Louie almost got the band put behind bars.
As the rock and roll craze was sweeping America, the government were worried that this new form of music might cause irreversible damage to young people and their precious morals.
Confused by The Kingsmen's babbling singing, the FBI decided that the song must have been obscene in some nature and launched an investigation into it.
An FBI investigation! Into a song! Those were the days.
Whilst this was going on, radio stations up and down the nation also chucked the record out for similar reasons. In the end, no charges were pressed and the song was given the all clear.