Beech Tree News Network

“Respect Yourself” was written by Luther Ingram and Mack Rice.  The song was originally recorded and released by The Staples Singers.  It was released in 1971 off their album Be Altitude.  The Staple Singers’ version peaked at #12 on the Hot 100, #2 on the Hot Soul Singles chart, and is one of the groups most recognizable hits.  In 2002, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and, in 2010, it was ranked #468 on Rolling Stone’s list of 500 greatest songs of all time.  Bruce Willis (yes, THAT Bruce Willis) took his version of the song to #5 in the U.S., #7 in the U.K. and #89 in 1987’s year-end chart. 

“Light My Fire” was famously recorded by The Doors.  Did you know that Jose Feliciano recorded it as well? Jim Morrison, Robby Krieger, John Denzmore and Ray Manzarek co-wrote the song.  Released as an edited single on April 24, 1967, it spent three weeks at #1on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.  A year later, it re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 following the success of Jose Feliciano’s cover version of the song (which peaked at #3 on the Billboard chart) peaking at #87.  The song was principally written by the bands guitarist but was credited to the whole band. 

The Doors were asked to change the line “girl we couldn’t get much higher” for their Ed Sullivan performance, as sponsors were uncomfortable with the possible reference to drugs.  They sang “girl we couldn’t get much better” in rehearsal but stuck with the original lyrics on Sullivan’s show.  Sullivan didn’t shake Morrison’s hand and the violation terminated their agreement to appear on several episodes of the show.  Morrison’s response was “hey man, we just did the Sullivan show”. 

“Louie, Louie” was first recorded by The Kingsmen in 1963 for their album The Kingsmen In Person.  It was covered in 1966 by The Sonics It was actually written by Richard Berry in 1955.  It’s become a pop standard.  It tells a story of a Jamaican sailor returning to the island to see his lover.  The single has been recorded by artists in every decade from 1960 to the 2000’s. 

The Kingsmen’s recording was subject of an FBI investigation about the supposed, but nonexistent, obscenity of the lyrics that ended without prosecution.  The nearly unintelligible lyrics were widely misinterpreted, and the song was banned from stations as well as being investigated by the FBI. 

I hope you learned a few things from some of these behind-the-scenes stories.  I certainly didn’t know the Kingsmen story.  I’ll be back with more stories in future columns.