Noteworthy!
Fun facts and Trivia behind your favorite songs and singers!
"Louie Louie"
Released in May 1963, this song by The Kingsmen generated significant controversy regarding the lyrical content. Rumor was that the lyrics were intentionally slurred by The Kingsmen to cover the fact that it was laced with profanity. The song was banned on many radio stations and in many cities in the United States. Even though practically no one could distinguish the actual lyrics and The Kingsmen denied any wrongdoing the controversy continued. The FBI became involved, but concluded a 31-month investigation with a report that they were "unable to interpret any of the wording in the record."
"Paul is Dead"
The Beatles have arguably contributed to more music trivia than any other modern rock band, with the most noteworthy and speculated trivia item being the "Paul is dead" controversy. The rumor surmised that Paul McCartney died and was replaced by a look- and sound-alike. The controversy is said to have begun on October 12, 1969, when someone telephoned a radio DJ on WKNR-FM in Michigan and announced that McCartney was dead. He also asked the DJ to play "Revolution #9" backwards, which somehow indicated Paul was dead. Rumor continued to circulate using supposed symbols on Beatles album art and misheard lyrics as evidence, even though the Beatles denied the rumor and Paul McCartney is still alive today.
"Bohemian Rhapsody"
Queen band members Brian May, Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor sang their vocal parts continually for ten to twelve hours a day, resulting in 200 separate overdubs for the hit song "Bohemian Rhapsody". The promotional video for "Bohemian Rhapsody" is often cited as being the first music video!
"Coconut"
Prolific American singer/songwriter Harry Nilsson penned the super catchy song "Coconut" in which a doctor prescribes a sick girl to "Put de lime in de coconut, and drink 'em both up". Nilsson also wrote the Three Dog Night hit song "One" and sang the ever-popular Midnight Cowboy theme song "Everybody's Talkin". Nilsson was also a close friend of the late John Lennon. In a well-publicized incident, Harry and John were kicked out of Los Angeles rock club The Troubadour for heckling the Smothers Brothers.
"Ray Davies"
Lead singer and chief songwriter for The Kinks, Ray Davies is credited with writing several hundred songs mainly performed by the Kinks. Fellow Brit and musical contemporary Pete Townshend of The Who has said that Ray Davies' is probably his favorite songwriter of all time, while John Lennon of The Beatles is said to have treated Davies with disrespect, yet obsessively listened to the Kinks album "Face to Face". In 2003, when a mugger stole his girlfriend's purse, Davies valiantly chased the man but was then shot in the leg by the thief.
