Show 'em How it's Done: Louie Louie

I have a fascination with cover songs. It is just so interesting to hear how a band interprets the original. Sometimes they pay a complete note for note homage, sometimes they add or subtract parts, sometimes they parody or deconstruct, and sometimes they make it their own.

Louie Louie is one of the most primitive songs ever, driven forward by three simple garage rock chords that are so powerful Chip Taylor stole it to write Wild Thing. There are so many versions of this song every one has their favorite. Mine happens to be by The Flamin' Groovies. They change this primitive garage rocker into an amazing RnB jam. Most versions focus on those famous chords but The Flamin' Groovies only use them as the basis for the jam; the chords just set the key and the tempo for the Groovies to perform over.