STORIES - BROTHER LOUIE | REACTION

[@Doggeslife]

This one came out on the radio when I was in jr high school. I swear, growing up listening to music like this every day made me and many others what they are today. We need it today in this angry world more than ever. And thx for the video. Over 4 decades later I had never seen this one performed live, or at least lip-sync'd. Let the music play.

[@surlechapeau]

You would like Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose's "Too Late to Turn Back Now", "Treat Her Like a Lady", and The Staples Singers "I'll Take You There". Great early 70's tunes

[@mikecaetano]

Also, The Spinners "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love", George McCrae "Rock Your Baby", The Fortunes "Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again", and The Hues Corporation "Rock the Boat" ...

[@jeff-wo6mm]

I knew the drummer (Bryan Maday) and guitarist (Steve Love) when I was a small kid so I was probably subjected to this song more than most. They were friends of my uncle and had their own band before joining Stories. My uncle was the singer of that band. Don't remember Steve much but I saw Bryan periodically as I got older. Real nice guy. They were all from Mamaroneck NY.

[@razzledazzle8631]

I am white .. my girlfriend in 1970 was black . I just got back from Vietnam .. both sides hated it ..her father wanted to fight me and all I did was adore his daughter ... you guys today have it so good .

[@hammerpocket]

As several comments have already mentioned, this song was originally by Hot Chocolate. You should try reacting to one of their other well-known songs, like "You Sexy Thing" or "Every 1's a Winner." Another great one that's a little less known is "Emma."

[@thesunreport]

As no other comments seem to have mentioned, there is also a song of the same name by the 1980's band Modern Talking, which is what I was expecting to hear, frankly. :D kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqGVopZ5p8l1gqM

[@mikecaetano]

I remember hearing this song on AM pop radio as a kid, although the social commentary in the lyrics sailed right over my head back then. Songs crafted for AM radio airplay usually lack a strong bass presence, so that might explain that. I was also curious about the strings too because they sound like actual violins. But they are actually synthesized. You can see the keyboard player making them in one of the passages where the guitar player trades licks with the keyboard player (right around 3 minutes 45 seconds in the reaction video).

[@fenderchamp8241]

Chod, long time American icons. The Isley Bros. That Lady. Ernie's guitar is the dominant force.🎸

[@drmorqWarrenProject]

whos that lady...

[@jchow5966]

It is a terrific song. It was a huge hit back in the day. ☮️💟thanx for the reaction.

[@TDove598]

I can listen to this type of music all day!

[@yogimarkmac]

The live version that actually goes with the video features kick ass bass playing!

[@barriehull7076]

"Brother Louie" is a song about an interracial love affair between a white man and a black woman, and the subsequent disowning of the man by his parents because of it. The title was written and sung by Errol Brown and Tony Wilson of the group Hot Chocolate, and was a No. 7 hit in the UK Singles Chart for the band in 1973, produced by Mickie Most.[1] Alexis Korner has a spoken word part in this version of the song,[2] Phil Dennys arrangement of the string section. "Brother Louie" was covered by the American band Stories (featuring singer Ian Lloyd) about six months after Hot Chocolate's UK hit, and the Stories version made #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and sold a million plus copies to earn a gold disk.[3]

[@deborahcornell171]

...AND the platform shoes! Talk about a blast from the past! Love that song. Nice blend of social commentary & a good groove.💙

[@bryanforis1839]

When you find out who the lead singer is 4 band that he works with you will be blowen away

[@llschnitz]

I was about five when this came out, and having the name Louie, my brother's friends liked to torment me with this song. You know the "Louie Louie you're gonna cry" part. Oh well its a great song anyway.

[@MySherry10]

I was kid when came out and this is what we grew up too , knowing makes no difference what color but who you are, . This is how we thought and were raised,

[@terereynolds698]

I grew up in the 60's and 70's, interracial couples were very much pretty much hated. My brothers and I were raised by our grandparents, and they were very loving people, my grandma was full blooded Native American, grandpa was half Cherokee half English, my dad was 100% Scott. We were mixed kids, I never understood what the big deal was, a few of my friends were White dating Mexicans, my best friend is a black girl and all through she only dated white guys, she married a Mexican, my husband is half English half Cherokee. The one's had the issues were the adults, we listened to music, and it spoke to us, like this song, it means it doesn't matter who you love, date, marry, we're all one race, the HUMAN race.

[@2715bunky]

"Treat Her Like a Lady" by the Cornelius Brothers!

[@anthonyblakely399]

You are Correct!!! It is chill music!!!! We had a lot chill music!!! Synth made the violin sound.

[@talltulip]

This was a big hit when I was in high school. Loved it then, and it still sounds great. Special place in my heart for this song, too, as my husband and I are an interracial couple. We knew each other in high school, and when I told my mom that I thought he might ask me to the prom, my mom forbade me from going with him. She and I had a big fight about it! Then, 32 years later, we fell in love. When my parents met him, they fell in love with him too, and my mom had no memory whatsoever of her ugly attitude back in '77, or of the big fight we had, or any of that.

[@styles2980]

Another great one today, that’s 2 in a row.

[@Boatzilla2]

I think I was in 3rd grade when this came out. We used to sing it on the playground. Thanks, Chod.

[@donnabost4445]

Yes!!! had to make sure this was the one i remembered!!! *could not remember the artist* Thank you!!!

[@lisarainbow9703]

"Couldn't Get It Right" is a similar pre-disco era hit by The Climax Blues Band, that has a similar vibe and feel to this one...

[@jonnno243]

To hear the FULL story about Louie, best go see the band who wrote this song, Hot Chocolate.

[@Peter-oh3hc]

Saw Brother Lo" and thought of the neil diamond song "Hot August Night (Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show)". Think you would enjoy it

[@markastoforoff7838]

Sometimes to appreciate a song in it's entirety you have to listen to the lyrics. Musically I think this song is amazing but what the song is about is just as important.

[@sylvialopez5928]

Omg this is on my playlist and I sing it out loud in my car 🚘!!

[@dragonfly1153]

This was considered HUGELY controversial when it came out. Loved it from the first listen.Thanks for the delightful surprise, Chod!

[@wompa70]

I haven’t heard this in 20 years. Kudos to whoever recommended it!

[@bangmon1000]

I've heard this song so many times and this version, but never knew the band's name or the title of the song. I always though it was Louie, Louie, Loui or something like that.

[@kentclark6420]

I always get this mixed up with Rod Stewart.

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

I remember this one! Check out those platform shoes!

[@slam1369]

This was my childhood music.

[@womanonthinice1276]

Woooooo hooooo haven't heard this since Jr high!!! Love it

[@drmorqWarrenProject]

This song was originally done by Hot Chocolate...

[@shyshift]

This was from either Top Of The Pops or The Old Grey Whistle Test and it’s completely lip synced. They just mimed to the record on these shows because there were multiple acts performing live and they didn’t have the time or money to set up different bands like at a rock concert. I liked the song. It was a huge hit in the mid 1970’s. Ian Lloyd the singer sounds very much like Rod Stewart. So the orchestra sounds were mimed by the Keyboard player just for show.

[@p.millard557]

This wouldn't have been Top of the Pops or The Old Grey Whistle Test. Tops of the Pop played the original version by Hot Chocolate and The Old Grey Whistle Test wouldn't have bothered with this bad cover.

[@827dusty]

I was about 15 or so when this came out in the early 70s. People weren't as uptight about stuff like this in those days. You couldn't do a lot of songs from the 70s, these days. You'd be called something like a racist, or you'd be canceled on "Twitter" etc. I'm not saying it wasn't something we didn't talk about, we did. It's just that these days people want to shut you down, rather than just say "we have a different opinion." That's what makes it cool. I love this song. It's got soul too.

[@kentclark6420]

Yeah, it's like when Rickles used to poke fun at blacks and Jews, etc. He wasn't prejudiced, and in fact had friends from different races and backgrounds. It was just to get laughs. Other races did it, too.

[@ronaldstokes4841]

Ahhh Yout! Talkin' 'bout playlists and stuff... my ol' butt has this on my cassette mix. By th' way, the Violins are Mean!

[@keymack2477]

Great choice, Chod, for another blindside reaction! For your next blindside consider "Hi-De-Ho" from Blood Sweat and Tears!! Keep up the great work!

[@andrewdavid5928]

The moment I laid my hands on a beautiful black woman's silky skin I was ruined for life. Beyond soft and smooth, like velvet woven by Venus herself and beyond the touch of a mere mortal.

[@SuQ1939]

You should listen to the original by Hot Chocolate

[@lindamathias6230]

Wait a minute! Did you understand the storyline of the song? Louie meet and feel in love with a black woman. He took her home to meet his parents, and there was a terrible fight. His parents didn't approve. Ain't no difference if you're black or white when you love someone. This song had constant air play.

[@John_Chu]

The strange thing about this band is that their 2 leaders, Ian Lloyd & Michael Brown, left after hitting #1 with this song. They wanted to be a Beatlesque power pop group not a funk soul band. Success drove them away. Integrity over success/fame? Wow.

[@kathybwell]

Wow, that's sad.

[@thomaswest7746]

Don't forget the Gangster Walls (aka) wide white walled tires

[@jamespasifull3424]

This just proves that second best, is first worst! Errol Brown wrote it, Hot Chocolate nailed it!!

[@daviddobson477]

I'm pretty sure the violin sound was the keyboard. Not definite but pretty sure.

[@mikeburns9359]

The violin sound was coming from the organ.

[@annmills3163]

☮️💜

[@lynnieiapichino1121]

☮️💙💙💙🔥so tough

[@davidmooney2512]

Vocals sound just like Rod Stewart

[@kentclark6420]

I used to think it was.

[@kevinmiller5526]

Yeaaaaaah buddy ;)

[@williamsmith9026]

The bass player was pretty busy. All 70s style

[@briankaufman6908]

Love your content bro, but crank up the volume already!!

[@zeezee9670]

This was of course a cover. The original was same year by the band *Hot Chocolate.* I like Ian Lloyds voice but I still prefer the original with the voice of *Errol Brown.*

[@gregj1295]

Where is Louie Now?

[@luanne2902]

This is a good version but you should listen to the original by Hot Chocolate.

[@p.millard557]

I've never heard this version before, this is a very poor version of the original by Hot Chocolate. You should listen to it.

[@johngarcia7774]

No comment about the lyrics? ☹️

[@lindamathias6230]

I was thinking the same. The lyrics is what made the song.

[@rufscooby1]

try Full Force "Alice, i want you just for me"

[@BigC.]

Deep cut Wednesday..

[@bigjay123]

Nothing to say about the content of the song okay

[@robertschiavone5159]

In those days it was taboo for interracial relationship they did it anyway but they caught a lot of flack man if you love somebody you love somebody and that's it

[@genabourassa7962]

I keep hoping you will react to Man Against The World- Survivor

[@robertphelps1574]

I like the original hot chocolate version better

[@Doggeslife]

I have to admit this one was always my fav. The singer's voice does a great job of projecting the pain told in the song. Here's the Hot Chocolate version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIvCfJaIq7ykeMU

[@robertphelps1574]

@@Doggeslife Errol Brown was a brilliant singer hot chocolate had so many brilliant songs

[@Doggeslife]

@@robertphelps1574 Agreed. "You Sexy Thing" is still a favorite of mine.

[@MidwesternCornbilly]

The band Stories was a great band and put out a three really strong albums in a very short time period (1972 - 1973). I loved the band but never, ever liked this song. I always felt like this was a throwaway track that ended up being a hit

[@kentclark6420]

I always grooved big-time to this song ! It's so funky and unique.

[@dougthePogingguitarist]

can you do a reaction to Witch Wolf by Styx

[@tonysoprano4755]

Love what your doing if you get a chance check out the original by Hot Chocolate has a phenomenal grove to it you will enjoy it I guarantee it.

[@zeppelinfan9360]

Hard to hear you; audio too low. The best reaction videos have good volume level. I Like you and your reaction videos. Make sure there's good volume level

[@jarodorla6949]

Can you do a reaction to THE HOOTERS JOHNNY B

[@Veni_Vidi_Vortice]

Can't take this version seriously, sorry. The Hot Chocolate original is sooooo much better.

[@robyngild9433]

Agree - Hot Chocolate the best!!

[@kentclark6420]

I always enjoyed this version. This is the one I remember. Hacking a taxi in Hawaii while still in high school. Nostalgic days!

[@pmcclaren1]

early '70s in college I dated a beautiful coed, she black and me white. Our friends dug it, was a beautiful relationship.