{"id":299,"date":"2005-05-05T16:16:23","date_gmt":"2005-05-05T21:16:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/marktime.org\/?p=299"},"modified":"2009-01-22T13:35:10","modified_gmt":"2009-01-22T18:35:10","slug":"louie-louie-and-benton-harbor-mi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marktime.org\/?p=299","title":{"rendered":"Louie Louie and Benton Harbor, MI"},"content":{"rendered":"

Paula Dawning, the Superintendent of Schools in Benton Harbor, MI, has banned the McCord Middle School marching band from playing Louie Louie this weekend in the town’s Grand Floral Parade.\u00a0 (AP Story via Yahoo<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Apparently, she’s concerned about the “raunchy lyrics”.\u00a0 As far as I know, NOBODY knows what the lyrics to the song are.\u00a0 However, the ability to play it must be a human instinct – I’ve never seen a marching band use any sheet music yet all marching bands are able to play it instantly with or without a conductor.<\/p>\n

I sent the following letter to Ms. Dawning urging her to reconsider:<\/p>\n

Dear Ms. Dawning,<\/em><\/p>\n

I read a news story today stating that you had banned the McCord Middle
\nSchool band from playing the song “Louie Louie”.\u00a0 I would urge you
\nto reconsider.<\/em><\/p>\n

At age 36, I fondly remember my years playing music in school.\u00a0 I
\nstrongly believe that my musical experiences, in addition to being fun,
\nwere a major part of the foundation that was built for my future
\nsuccess.\u00a0 I played in the school’s band and jazz band, and
\nultimately was a member of the NJ All-State Band and All-State
\nOrchestra.\u00a0 I went on to be a member of the Rutgers University
\nMarching Band and Pep Band.<\/em><\/p>\n

Music is important in many ways to a student.\u00a0 It builds
\nconfidence through public performance.\u00a0 It builds character
\nthrough the discipline required to practice and learn your
\ninstrument.\u00a0 It builds the ability to work smoothly in
\ngroups.\u00a0 Evidence shows that music builds mathematical ability as
\nwell.<\/em><\/p>\n

And “Louie Louie” is an important tradition in marching bands.\u00a0 I
\nhave never been a member of a marching band where that song was not
\nplayed.\u00a0 I have never met anyone who belonged to a marching band
\nthat did not play that song.\u00a0 In fact, “Louie Louie” seems to be
\nmore of a natural instinct – I have never seen any sheet music for it
\nbut I’ve also never seen a band that didn’t know how to play it –
\nnearly flawlessly on the first try.\u00a0 If you leave a marching band
\nalone long enough, it will spontaneously play “Louie Louie”.<\/em><\/p>\n

I feel that I must address the question of the lyrics.\u00a0 While I’ve
\nnever met a band that didn’t know “Louie Louie”, I’ve also never met
\nANYONE who knows the lyrics.\u00a0 In the 1960’s, the FBI investigated
\nthe allegedly obscene lyrics and concluded that they were not obscene,
\nand in fact were “unintelligible at any speed”.\u00a0 I have seen many,
\nmany Internet websites purporting to have the lyrics – and no claimant
\nhas any better claim than any other.\u00a0 The song has just never been
\nunderstandable.<\/em><\/p>\n

I hope that you will reconsider your decision, and allow the band to play “Louie Louie” this weekend.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sincerely,
\n<\/p>\n

Mark Smith<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n