The song is a very old Blues/Folk traditional that possibly originated in England with different lyrics, though a similar theme. It was being performed in the US as early as the 1850s. It's been recorded by several artists before The Animals, including Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, and Bob Dylan. During the huge Folk music movement in the UK (they called it Skiffle) of the late 1950s, Lead Belly's large catalogue of music was heavily mined by the acts of the day. Most likely, this is where The Animals heard it and adapted it into their Blues Rock style. The House of the Rising Sun is basically, a brothel, and the song has also been sung as a warning to young girls that it's not a place to end up. In this case, the House has been frequented by the person in the song and has led him down a path of ruin and self-destruction. It's exactly the right sounding song for The Animals, reflecting their early life growing up in the coal based area of their native Newcastle. A hard life that led them to their love of the Blues and their 'growly' sound. I'm glad you like this song, Angela. It's a classic, for sure! One of The Animals' best tracks ♥
I didn't know they were from Newcastle, Northeast UK.. I knew of some coal mining but only briefly, for they didn't talk about it to much. Know a days I hear the men traveling out of town for work and then returning back to their homes. Like a lot of small towns in the U.S. I hear there is a singer by the name of Courtney Hadwin in those neck of the woods and she is starting to brew things up.
The Animals recorded this song in 1 live take. Alan Price plays a Vox Continental electric piano/organ giving the song its haunted house quality. This song was also the first British Invasion song to reach #1 on the Billboard charts in 1964 not written by Lennon and McCartney. Cheers, RNB
@@wgdavis5353 As I live and breath! How are you doing wg D? All good on my end, except for the 4 months of nearly nonstop rain in SF Bay area.😡 I hope all is well with you my friend, Rick
You will, of course, have noticed that Alan Price's Vox Continental has been relocated for the closing bars; you might not though have noticed Hilton Valentine (guitar) attempting to conceal his amusement just prior to that. That's because, since this performance was itself recorded in a single take, Price was required to relocate his equipment and himself while he was off camera, and he actually took a tumble during his movement and fell to the floor. He recovered though, and managed to be in postion for his final appearance on camera. I'm sure the comedic value of the incident was appreciated by the rest of the band, but only Valentine found difficulty in concealing his amusement.
The House of the Rising Sun is an iconic award winning song of 1964 by "The Animals." When I first heard this on the radio (I was 14), everything stopped. Everyone stopped talking and listened. It was number #1 at the top of British, American, and Canadian charts for weeks. The Animals are a British Group, and the song apparently has roots in Great Britain folk music and American folk music. It has been studied and investigated by many, and no definitive answer was found on its true genesis or meaning. However, it does have a commonly accepted meaning but with no solid foundation. It sounds like a gambling and drug house that has led to the downfall of many.
The great voice of British blues-style vocalist, Eric Burdon. Other hits with the Animals include "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," "Don't Bring Me Down" and "Sky Pilot." In the late 60's, Burdon also performed with the funk rock group War out of the Bay Area in California. Two memorable songs from that time are "Spill the Wine" and "Tobacco Road."
"I know you guys will let me know what it's about". Kinda chuckled, as this song has been studied and debated for years. The origin and meaning are ambiguous, at best. I looked around the interwebz once a few years back. I think I found 17 versions of this song by different artists.
In a 1930's recording of this song, (sung by a woman), it's from the perspective of a prostitute working at a brothel in New Orleans. "Mothers tell your daughters not to do what I have done. Spend your life in sin and misery, in the House of the Rising Sun".
I'm SO tired of people saying that the "House of the Rising Sun" refers to a brothel....I lived in New Orleans. It was the old New Orleans JAIL that faced east ! The line "I'm goin' back to New Orleans to wear that BALL & CHAIN." explains the it !
My favorite line in the lyrics. Somebody's made up their mind to live a life of degradation and sin. You're the first reactor to pick out that blues reference -- no, not a spouse, as it usually refers to, but to a life that is imbued with a debilitating habit or bother that'll slowly degrade one's body and mind.
Elvis said true rock & roll is church, rhythm, and blues... you can see that in this as well. I think it's generalised so more people can relate. Father being in "sincere misery".
This is 1964, a couple months after the Beatles made it here. Their management made them get Beatle haircuts and Beatle suits to capitalize on the Beatles success. 3 months later, the Rolling Stones came over.
The Animals management was the achilles heel. All the band were great, very tight, and superbly different sound. The vocalist was the best singer of all the new groups. Musically they were a cut above. But the manager was a crook and he ripped them off and sowed divisions in the band as well. Worked them like dogs, which meant they striggled to get the energy to progress with the writing they had planned, then 'invested' their money in a series of dodgy schemes which meant they were completely conned. That manager did the exact same thing to Hendrix. He ruined a lot of talent.
Yeah that’s a euphemism for a brothel. Believe it or not, Eric Burdon is a real rocker, he helped kick of the group War, an Afro Cuban funky as it gets band ! Early 70s, can’t miss if you’re funk/ blues/ inclined.
The lyrics say “ I’m going back to New Orleans to wear that ball and chain. An iron ball was attached to prisoners to keep them from escaping so wearing a ball and chain meant he was going to prison.
The house of the rising sun can be interpreted as being a couple of things. Choose what resonates with you! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_House_of_the_Rising_Sun
the ferocity of the organ solo still grabs me after all these years. bob dylan remarked that the animals doing "the old new orleans whorehouse song in rock" convinced him to pick up an electric guitar. the third guy in the parade, playing the base, was chas chandler, who later managed jimi hendrix.
Great song made when I was born..lol but i remember its haunting lyrics. " And the only time he's satisfied Is when he's all drunk" Great pick again!!!
Angela, if you want another shot at The Animals, try their lesser known song, "I'm Crying." That starts off with a bang and gets you rolling right away. Use the original version rather than a cover.
This... Kinights in White Satin... Palisades Park (you have the Organ and the Screams in the background)... By Halloween you're going to have a Spooky Playlist for the entire night with no repeats!
I remember growing up we watched The Animals perform on The Ed Sullivan Show. They were big time. Later the singer Eric Burdon got together with War and had a very popular song called "Spill the Wine".
It doesn’t matter how many times I hear this song but it haunts me and moves me every single time. It is so amazing. Great reaction. And yea, your thinking is right. House of debauchery
You nailed it. A house of debauchery. Gambling (he said his father was a gambler), drugs, booze, prostitution, etc. The song has a funeral dirge vibe to it.
It is a cult song for the generation of the 60s and those that followed. A song that tells a story of so many. It remains in time and in the memory of those of us who still enjoy it. ⏳
This song has a long history as others have mentioned. It was usually sung as a two chord dirge and sometimes with three chords. Their were variations in the words, but they all tell the same story. In the early sixties a folksinger named Dave Van Ronk created a 5 chord arrangement of the song. Dave was well known around Greenwich Village and mentored many of the up and coming folksingers of the early 60's. One was Bob Dylan, who Dave let live at his house when he first came to the village. He taught Dylan some of the songs he played, including House of the Rising Sun. After getting his own apartment and a recording contract Dylan began recording his first album. He ran into Dave on the street and said he'd like to use Dave's arrangement of House of the Rising Sun on his first album. Dave said he'd like him to wait, because he was also cutting his first album and wanted to cut it himself. Dylan said oh, sorry it's already in the can. Dylan's album sold well in England and a few bands recorded the song, copying the same 5 chord progression that Dylan copied from Dave Van Ronk. Eric Burdon said he got the song from hearing Alan Price's band do it. But Hilton Valentine, the Animals' guitarist said they learned it from the Dylan version and "I just played the Dylan chords using arpeggios". Of course the Animals did change it into a great rock version with the added instruments. The funny part of the story is Dave said he was upset with Dylan at first, but they remained friends.. But he stopped doing the song at gigs for a while because he got tired of people coming up to him and saying "can you do that Dylan song, House of The Rising Sun?", but then he thought it was funny after the Animals' version came out and people would go up to Dylan and ask "can you do that Animals song, House of the Rising Sun?". 😂
Pretty much a debut hit for Eric Burdon and the Animals. This is a hand me down version of a much older song usually sung from the POV of a woman where the Rising Sun was a house of ill repute. This version makes mention of gambling, so - who knows. The Animals with vocalist Eric Burdon, were a part of the British Invasion. And while many of those bands were a flash in the pan, The Animals enjoyed greater popular longevity. Eric Burdon was a student of American blues, and the band did covers of Bo Diddly and Mississippi John Hurt and other bluesmen's songs. Burdon later solo'd and partnered with the funk/jazz band,War. They made good music into the 80's. 'Worth checking out more.
Love the look on he guitarist face as they near the end and he knew Eric crushed that vocal. The subtle bow at the end speaks to the difference of musicians in the 60s and now. Eric Burden went on to sing with a group called WAR and had a huge hit called Spill the Wine.
Angela their impact on modern music was immense. Bruce Springsteen said they were his inspiration and Alan Price is in my opinion the father of rock and roll organist.
Baby Boomer here! I was 10 years old when this song came out! I lived it then and now that I am much older, I still love this song! 🥰🥰🥰Eric Burdon music is fantastic! Hard to believe he is British, he sounds very Southern/ New Orleans! 🤔🥰🥰🥰🇩🇪🇨🇭🇺🇲💙💙💙🌲🌄🌲
Next time you go to NOLA, stop by "Pat O'Brian's" for their dueling piano song requests. In the time it takes you to drink a couple of their famous Hurricanes, you will hear this song dozens of times. (So I have been told. 😇)
This is a very old story song (a few hundred years is my understanding). The House of the Rising Sun was actually a high quality house of prostitution. When I was in the Navy, I listened to a Chief Boatswain's Mate combine (I forget which he sang and which he played on the guitar) this song and Amazing Grace. I can't really describe it well, they combine well.
A very old blues song of forgotten origins. Your feelings of "Red Light District" is correct. Tonally, this one couldn't be further from the Moody Blues' love song, Nights In White Satin...
A Geordie, that is a Newcastle Band from the early 1960s. Chas Chandler, the Bassist, went on to promote Jimi Hendrix in the UK, and hence to international immortality!
First time I've heard anyone label this song as creepy lol. Haunting maybe, but nevertheless powerful; lyrically, instrumentality & those vocals are soo good.
My late Maternal Grandfather could play this song on the organ. Couldn't read sheet-music, but had a phenomenal ear. Rest in Peace Grandfather Leslie John Robertson (20/09/1928 - 21/01/2021) a fatality of the Coronavirus pandemic
You really got the emotive aspects of where it came from. In other versions the singer is a woman who is trapped in prostitution in the House of the rising Sun. Father was a drunkard, but a gambler. Bob Dylan stole the song and improved it. The Animals took that, better arrangement, turned the song from about a girl and made it a boy. Changed up a few other parts and tightened up the lyrics. The organ part is iconic. Glad you’ve gotten to appreciate this classic song.
the voice is not creepy it simply touches you deep in your soul and your conscience and resonates so you get goose bumps the same thing happened to me when I first heard it.
The great Eric Burdon and company, this is a legendary track and a huge hit. It was a signature song for him even after leaving the Animals. For more classic stuff try Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood or It's My Life, those songs are part of the vibe of the 60s and my youth. Enjoy! 🔉🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶
"The House Of The Rising Sun”, dates back to the 19th Century. It is a traditional folk song, sometimes called "Rising Sun Blues"."House of Rising Sun" was said to have been known by American miners in 1905. The oldest published version of the lyrics is that printed by Robert Winslow Gordon in 1925, in a column titled "Old Songs That Men Have Sung" in Adventure magazine. Some of the lyrics in some version - "If you go to Lowestoft, and ask for The Rising Sun, There you'll find two old whores and my old woman is one. It tells of a person's life gone wrong in the city of New Orleans. Many versions also urge a sibling or parents and children to avoid the same fate. Interesting story, there was a dispute between the group and Alan Price (organ/keyboard player) over the royalties from the smash hit House of the Rising Sun. Although the song is an old traditional American folk song, it was Price who was credited with the royalties from The Animals version.
This is the most accepted updated version, but this song actually goes back to the early 1500s, originally about a tavern / house of prostitution. A "House of the Rising Sun." was a euphemism in England at that time that meant a bordello, gambling house. The music ( instruments used )has changed, though the chord progression is basically close enough to link them as the same song, and the lyrics have evolved over the centuries. The original is from at least 1543, Matty Groves, about a young man and a prostitute, where he and she meet a gruesome demise.
Besides being a great song and performance, every kid for decades who was learning guitar struggled to learn the chords to this song until they got it lol. Plus they were arpeggios with the guitar pick...if you didn't do it just right, it didn't sound like the House of the Rising Sun. Great exercise in learning to change your fingers fast for each chord and flat pick accurately. The Animals were top musicians, listen to that organ player, Alan Price..."the Price is Right" lol. They were R and B based, edgier than the Beatles and had big hit records BEFORE the Rolling Stones did, were a tighter band than the Rolling Stones at the time. Eric Burdon was one fine vocalist, had a distinct unmistakable sound. The Beatles knew them well while in London in the early days like about 1963, but their music was so totally opposite even though the Beatles could R and B as good as anyone if they wanted to, but chose pop rock, made it big and opened , no, kicked down the door for British groups like the Animals to make t big in America.. This song I believe was about prison....Try We Gotta Get Out of This Place...a social commentary song.
DayOne and commenters, have you ever heard of the '70's group "Santa Esmeralda?" They do two great Animal songs that were turned into very long disco dance songs. Look for: 1) House Of The Rising Sun (14:58 full version). 2) Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (Full Version) which runs 16:05 min.) Enjoy dancers!)
I'm 75 years old and I still love this song. It is so gratifying to watch someone enjoy a song that I love too. Thank you for a great video AND channel. Peace! I collected some data about this song that people are asking, so I thought I'd share it here. _"The House of the Rising Sun" is a traditional folk song, sometimes called Rising Sun Blues."_ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_House_of_the_Rising_Sun _Electronic Organ: _Alan Price played a Vox Continental_ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vox_Continental _"The Animals (also billed as Eric Burdon and the Animals) are an English rock band, formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in the early 1960s."_ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Animals
A lot of new listeners to the song are misinterpreting the line, " and the only time that he's satisfied...is when he's on A DRUNK".... not A Drug. The song is a metaphor for anyone for anyone who's life came to ruin by a life of bad choices and 'sin'...and who came from a broken home with no responsible father around.
Most Poignant Lyric Award in this song goes to: "Well, I got one foot on the platform ... the other foot on the train. I'm goin' back to New Aw-lee-uns, TO WEAR THAT BALL AND CHAIN." Resigned himself to a life of pain and degradation.
This is a very interesting song. No one knows how old it is or who wrote it. From what I've seen, it seems it was written from a female point of view originally (it's been the ruin of many a poor girl, and God I know I'm one), if I'm not mistaken. We know that the "House of the Rising Sun" was a reference to a house of prostitution. I've heard a version of this recorded by an OLD R&B guy back in the late 1920's or early 1930's, which I believe was earlier than the Lead Belly version. I know that lines have been added to it and lines have been changed. Originally (or at least the first version I've seen of it) the female version said her father was a drinking man not a gambling man. I also know that Bob Dylan did a cover of it in the late 1950's or early 1960's, and interestingly, he sang it from a female point of view as well. But it remains largely shrouded in mystery. I know one thing it's freaking sad!
that house sounds like a baaaaad place
The walking around during the song is reminiscent of the funeral marches done in New Orleans
Fricken awesome then & always will be
One legend says that the House of the Rising Sun was a brothel in New Orleans. It's a traditional Folk song
One of the greatest songs ever Anglia. It is so timeless and still holds its own to songs of any age.
And Eric Burdon's voice just kills this song
This is the Best Version of a Very Old Song!
Anglia really enjoyed it...
John Dalley They are from Northumberland not from Anglia
The song is a very old Blues/Folk traditional that possibly originated in England with different lyrics, though a similar theme. It was being performed in the US as early as the 1850s. It's been recorded by several artists before The Animals, including Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, and Bob Dylan. During the huge Folk music movement in the UK (they called it Skiffle) of the late 1950s, Lead Belly's large catalogue of music was heavily mined by the acts of the day. Most likely, this is where The Animals heard it and adapted it into their Blues Rock style.
The House of the Rising Sun is basically, a brothel, and the song has also been sung as a warning to young girls that it's not a place to end up. In this case, the House has been frequented by the person in the song and has led him down a path of ruin and self-destruction.
It's exactly the right sounding song for The Animals, reflecting their early life growing up in the coal based area of their native Newcastle. A hard life that led them to their love of the Blues and their 'growly' sound.
I'm glad you like this song, Angela. It's a classic, for sure! One of The Animals' best tracks ♥
You just blew my mind!
I didn't know they were from Newcastle, Northeast UK.. I knew of some coal mining but only briefly, for they didn't talk about it to much. Know a days I hear the men traveling out of town for work and then returning back to their homes. Like a lot of small towns in the U.S. I hear there is a singer by the name of Courtney Hadwin in those neck of the woods and she is starting to brew things up.
You’ve just reacted to one of the greatest performances in history great choice!
The Animals recorded this song in 1 live take. Alan Price plays a Vox Continental electric piano/organ giving the song its haunted house quality. This song was also the first British Invasion song to reach #1 on the Billboard charts in 1964 not written by Lennon and McCartney. Cheers, RNB
Hi Mr. Rick.. ♠W.G.
@@wgdavis5353 As I live and breath! How are you doing wg D? All good on my end, except for the 4 months of nearly nonstop rain in SF Bay area.😡 I hope all is well with you my friend, Rick
@@ricknbacker5626 I am bout the same.. They just changed my Heart meds.. Yea, I have seen that it has rained a little on the Left coast..
Glad to hear you are staying on top of your ticker meds. That is very important. A little rain!!! I wish. I've started building an Ark!!
You will, of course, have noticed that Alan Price's Vox Continental has been relocated for the closing bars; you might not though have noticed Hilton Valentine (guitar) attempting to conceal his amusement just prior to that. That's because, since this performance was itself recorded in a single take, Price was required to relocate his equipment and himself while he was off camera, and he actually took a tumble during his movement and fell to the floor. He recovered though, and managed to be in postion for his final appearance on camera. I'm sure the comedic value of the incident was appreciated by the rest of the band, but only Valentine found difficulty in concealing his amusement.
The bass player Chas Chandler ended up being Jimi Hendrix's first producer in England....
The voice of an old soul.
This came out the same year the Beatles were singing I Want to Hold Your Hand to little girls.
The House of the Rising Sun is an iconic award winning song of 1964 by "The Animals." When I first heard this on the radio (I was 14), everything stopped. Everyone stopped talking and listened. It was number #1 at the top of British, American, and Canadian charts for weeks. The Animals are a British Group, and the song apparently has roots in Great Britain folk music and American folk music. It has been studied and investigated by many, and no definitive answer was found on its true genesis or meaning. However, it does have a commonly accepted meaning but with no solid foundation. It sounds like a gambling and drug house that has led to the downfall of many.
The drummer is cool. Chewing gum and keeping time all at the same time.
Not bad for a few youngsters from Newcastle, England. The sad thing is they split up too soon!
I've always thought it was a " House of Ill repute"
The great voice of British blues-style vocalist, Eric Burdon. Other hits with the Animals include "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," "Don't Bring Me Down" and "Sky Pilot." In the late 60's, Burdon also performed with the funk rock group War out of the Bay Area in California. Two memorable songs from that time are "Spill the Wine" and "Tobacco Road."
Wow I didn't know he sang with WAR
You have never heard this song? One of the most covered and famous songs. The House is a bordello.
The organ adds so much to this song and his voice was fantastic in my opinion
"I know you guys will let me know what it's about". Kinda chuckled, as this song has been studied and debated for years. The origin and meaning are ambiguous, at best. I looked around the interwebz once a few years back. I think I found 17 versions of this song by different artists.
I always thought House of the Rising Sun referred to a place of prostitution, gambling, drinking.
And it is. A prostitution hpuse.
It's a song of a person who lives a life always on the move. Gambling, drinking, and always restless. He knows it's a bad life, but he's stuck.
In a 1930's recording of this song, (sung by a woman), it's from the perspective of a prostitute working at a brothel in New Orleans.
"Mothers tell your daughters not to do what I have done.
Spend your life in sin and misery, in the House of the Rising Sun".
I'm SO tired of people saying that the "House of the Rising Sun" refers to a brothel....I lived in New Orleans. It was the old New Orleans JAIL that faced east ! The line "I'm goin' back to New Orleans to wear that BALL & CHAIN." explains the it !
My favorite line in the lyrics. Somebody's made up their mind to live a life of degradation and sin. You're the first reactor to pick out that blues reference -- no, not a spouse, as it usually refers to, but to a life that is imbued with a debilitating habit or bother that'll slowly degrade one's body and mind.
You should really check out "Walk Away Renee" by the Left Banke.
the bass player...the tall guy chaz chandler took an unknown jimi hendrix to britton and put his group together and managed jimi for many years
The Animals were a band from the North East of England
Elvis said true rock & roll is church, rhythm, and blues... you can see that in this as well. I think it's generalised so more people can relate. Father being in "sincere misery".
This is 1964, a couple months after the Beatles made it here. Their management made them get Beatle haircuts and Beatle suits to capitalize on the Beatles success. 3 months later, the Rolling Stones came over.
lol
The Animals management was the achilles heel. All the band were great, very tight, and superbly different sound. The vocalist was the best singer of all the new groups. Musically they were a cut above. But the manager was a crook and he ripped them off and sowed divisions in the band as well. Worked them like dogs, which meant they striggled to get the energy to progress with the writing they had planned, then 'invested' their money in a series of dodgy schemes which meant they were completely conned. That manager did the exact same thing to Hendrix. He ruined a lot of talent.
Yeah that’s a euphemism for a brothel. Believe it or not, Eric Burdon is a real rocker, he helped kick of the group War, an Afro Cuban funky as it gets band ! Early 70s, can’t miss if you’re funk/ blues/ inclined.
one of the most popular songs ever wrote
The lyrics say “ I’m going back to New Orleans to wear that ball and chain. An iron ball was attached to prisoners to keep them from escaping so wearing a ball and chain meant he was going to prison.
Animals were huge. They had a 'bad boys' image and did unusual music back in the day.
The house of the rising sun can be interpreted as being a couple of things. Choose what resonates with you! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_House_of_the_Rising_Sun
Fun fact for you the guitarist Chas Chandler the tall one here discovered and managed the great Jimi Hendrix.... True .
Eric Burdon and his damn strong voice. That song is timeless.
Breathe- Hands to Heaven.
That man sure can play the keyboards
the ferocity of the organ solo still grabs me after all these years. bob dylan remarked that the animals doing "the old new orleans whorehouse song in rock" convinced him to pick up an electric guitar. the third guy in the parade, playing the base, was chas chandler, who later managed jimi hendrix.
Nights in White Satin freaks me out, too. The poem at the end used to terrify me when I was a kid.
It sounds like Hotel California makes people feel when they find out its history
Great song made when I was born..lol but i remember its haunting lyrics. "
And the only time he's satisfied
Is when he's all drunk"
Great pick again!!!
Angela, if you want another shot at The Animals, try their lesser known song, "I'm Crying." That starts off with a bang and gets you rolling right away. Use the original version rather than a cover.
It's a testimony to the brilliance of that performance as to how well that has aged nearly 60 years after it was recorded. In one take.
Also gives off some doom carnival “Doors”vibes.
This is one of the song's every garage band played in the 69's. I know I did as a drummer.
Hello, Angela... Good choice... Bob Dylan also recorded a version of House of The Rising Sun...
So did Woody Guthrie in the 50's
This... Kinights in White Satin... Palisades Park (you have the Organ and the Screams in the background)... By Halloween you're going to have a Spooky Playlist for the entire night with no repeats!
I remember growing up we watched The Animals perform on The Ed Sullivan Show. They were big time. Later the singer Eric Burdon got together with War and had a very popular song called "Spill the Wine".
One haunting song. Eric Burdon's voice is insane.
It doesn’t matter how many times I hear this song but it haunts me and moves me every single time. It is so amazing. Great reaction. And yea, your thinking is right. House of debauchery
Classic song , by a classic band. Great selection .
You nailed it. A house of debauchery. Gambling (he said his father was a gambler), drugs, booze, prostitution, etc. The song has a funeral dirge vibe to it.
It is a cult song for the generation of the 60s and those that followed. A song that tells a story of so many. It remains in time and in the memory of those of us who still enjoy it. ⏳
This song has a long history as others have mentioned. It was usually sung as a two chord dirge and sometimes with three chords. Their were variations in the words, but they all tell the same story. In the early sixties a folksinger named Dave Van Ronk created a 5 chord arrangement of the song. Dave was well known around Greenwich Village and mentored many of the up and coming folksingers of the early 60's. One was Bob Dylan, who Dave let live at his house when he first came to the village. He taught Dylan some of the songs he played, including House of the Rising Sun. After getting his own apartment and a recording contract Dylan began recording his first album. He ran into Dave on the street and said he'd like to use Dave's arrangement of House of the Rising Sun on his first album. Dave said he'd like him to wait, because he was also cutting his first album and wanted to cut it himself. Dylan said oh, sorry it's already in the can.
Dylan's album sold well in England and a few bands recorded the song, copying the same 5 chord progression that Dylan copied from Dave Van Ronk.
Eric Burdon said he got the song from hearing Alan Price's band do it. But Hilton Valentine, the Animals' guitarist said they learned it from the Dylan version and "I just played the Dylan chords using arpeggios". Of course the Animals did change it into a great rock version with the added instruments.
The funny part of the story is Dave said he was upset with Dylan at first, but they remained friends.. But he stopped doing the song at gigs for a while because he got tired of people coming up to him and saying "can you do that Dylan song, House of The Rising Sun?", but then he thought it was funny after the Animals' version came out and people would go up to Dylan and ask "can you do that Animals song, House of the Rising Sun?". 😂
Angela, you are right. You don't want to go there. "Sin and misery", can't be good. Stay right where you are. Love your reactions !! Love you...
I'm surprised that you haven't reacted to this song by now.
Pretty much a debut hit for Eric Burdon and the Animals. This is a hand me down version of a much older song usually sung from the POV of a woman where the Rising Sun was a house of ill repute. This version makes mention of gambling, so - who knows.
The Animals with vocalist Eric Burdon, were a part of the British Invasion. And while many of those bands were a flash in the pan, The Animals enjoyed greater popular longevity. Eric Burdon was a student of American blues, and the band did covers of Bo Diddly and Mississippi John Hurt and other bluesmen's songs. Burdon later solo'd and partnered with the funk/jazz band,War.
They made good music into the 80's.
'Worth checking out more.
Love the look on he guitarist face as they near the end and he knew Eric crushed that vocal. The subtle bow at the end speaks to the difference of musicians in the 60s and now. Eric Burden went on to sing with a group called WAR and had a huge hit called Spill the Wine.
It's about a "whoehouse," and this guy was hooked.
Check him out when he joined the band War - Spill The wine Live ( The Beat Club) He killed it.
David Gates "Goodbye Girl". It's poetry!
Angela their impact on modern music was immense. Bruce Springsteen said they were his inspiration and Alan Price is in my opinion the father of rock and roll organist.
Baby Boomer here! I was 10 years old when this song came out! I lived it then and now that I am much older, I still love this song! 🥰🥰🥰Eric Burdon music is fantastic! Hard to believe he is British, he sounds very Southern/ New Orleans! 🤔🥰🥰🥰🇩🇪🇨🇭🇺🇲💙💙💙🌲🌄🌲
Not with that accent. I hear British all the way through.
I think the best word to describe that organ play is...manic.
Next time you go to NOLA, stop by "Pat O'Brian's" for their dueling piano song requests. In the time it takes you to drink a couple of their famous Hurricanes, you will hear this song dozens of times.
(So I have been told. 😇)
This is a very old story song (a few hundred years is my understanding). The House of the Rising Sun was actually a high quality house of prostitution.
When I was in the Navy, I listened to a Chief Boatswain's Mate combine (I forget which he sang and which he played on the guitar) this song and Amazing Grace. I can't really describe it well, they combine well.
A very old blues song of forgotten origins. Your feelings of "Red Light District" is correct. Tonally, this one couldn't be further from the Moody Blues' love song, Nights In White Satin...
A Geordie, that is a Newcastle Band from the early 1960s. Chas Chandler, the Bassist, went on to promote Jimi Hendrix in the UK, and hence to international immortality!
First time I've heard anyone label this song as creepy lol. Haunting maybe, but nevertheless powerful; lyrically, instrumentality & those vocals are soo good.
My late Maternal Grandfather could play this song on the organ. Couldn't read sheet-music, but had a phenomenal ear. Rest in Peace Grandfather Leslie John Robertson (20/09/1928 - 21/01/2021) a fatality of the Coronavirus pandemic
You really got the emotive aspects of where it came from. In other versions the singer is a woman who is trapped in prostitution in the House of the rising Sun. Father was a drunkard, but a gambler. Bob Dylan stole the song and improved it. The Animals took that, better arrangement, turned the song from about a girl and made it a boy. Changed up a few other parts and tightened up the lyrics. The organ part is iconic. Glad you’ve gotten to appreciate this classic song.
Fab Gear has a good history on this song.
Hi Angela, This song is what you would call "hauntingly-good!!!" Creepy but with a positive message of warning!!!
In the 60s they had to be cryptic of course in songs meanings. The house is a brothel.
I love the Animals they are great
I didn't expect that reaction, I never taught of this song as creepy. I always just taught of this song as a sixty song.
the voice is not creepy it simply touches you deep in your soul and your conscience and resonates so you get goose bumps the same thing happened to me when I first heard it.
The other song you were thinking of where the organ freaked you out was Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum.
Great reaction... one ofvthe best songs of all time...
The great Eric Burdon and company, this is a legendary track and a huge hit. It was a signature song for him even after leaving the Animals. For more classic stuff try Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood or It's My Life, those songs are part of the vibe of the 60s and my youth. Enjoy! 🔉🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶
"The House Of The Rising Sun”, dates back to the 19th Century. It is a traditional folk song, sometimes called "Rising Sun Blues"."House of Rising Sun" was said to have been known by American miners in 1905. The oldest published version of the lyrics is that printed by Robert Winslow Gordon in 1925, in a column titled "Old Songs That Men Have Sung" in Adventure magazine. Some of the lyrics in some version - "If you go to Lowestoft, and ask for The Rising Sun, There you'll find two old whores and my old woman is one. It tells of a person's life gone wrong in the city of New Orleans. Many versions also urge a sibling or parents and children to avoid the same fate. Interesting story, there was a dispute between the group and Alan Price (organ/keyboard player) over the royalties from the smash hit House of the Rising Sun. Although the song is an old traditional American folk song, it was Price who was credited with the royalties from The Animals version.
It was a great song in 1964 too.
I take it as a house if ill-repute
One of my favorite bands, he has such a great voice, my favorite song by them is Don't let me be misunderstood.
This is the most accepted updated version, but this song actually goes back to the early 1500s, originally about a tavern / house of prostitution. A "House of the Rising Sun." was a euphemism in England at that time that meant a bordello, gambling house. The music ( instruments used )has changed, though the chord progression is basically close enough to link them as the same song, and the lyrics have evolved over the centuries. The original is from at least 1543, Matty Groves, about a young man and a prostitute, where he and she meet a gruesome demise.
Besides being a great song and performance, every kid for decades who was learning guitar struggled to learn the chords to this song until they got it lol. Plus they were arpeggios with the guitar pick...if you didn't do it just right, it didn't sound like the House of the Rising Sun. Great exercise in learning to change your fingers fast for each chord and flat pick accurately. The Animals were top musicians, listen to that organ player, Alan Price..."the Price is Right" lol. They were R and B based, edgier than the Beatles and had big hit records BEFORE the Rolling Stones did, were a tighter band than the Rolling Stones at the time. Eric Burdon was one fine vocalist, had a distinct unmistakable sound. The Beatles knew them well while in London in the early days like about 1963, but their music was so totally opposite even though the Beatles could R and B as good as anyone if they wanted to, but chose pop rock, made it big and opened , no, kicked down the door for British groups like the Animals to make t big in America.. This song I believe was about prison....Try We Gotta Get Out of This Place...a social commentary song.
Excellent keyboards by Alan Price
DayOne and commenters, have you ever heard of the '70's group "Santa Esmeralda?" They do two great Animal songs that were turned into very long
disco dance songs. Look for: 1) House Of The Rising Sun (14:58 full version). 2) Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (Full Version) which runs 16:05 min.)
Enjoy dancers!)
Whew! I got scared wouldn't like this extremely important song in Rock History development!
I'm 75 years old and I still love this song. It is so gratifying to watch someone enjoy a song that I love too. Thank you for a great video AND channel. Peace!
I collected some data about this song that people are asking, so I thought I'd share it here.
_"The House of the Rising Sun" is a traditional folk song, sometimes called Rising Sun Blues."_ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_House_of_the_Rising_Sun
_Electronic Organ: _Alan Price played a Vox Continental_ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vox_Continental
_"The Animals (also billed as Eric Burdon and the Animals) are an English rock band, formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in the early 1960s."_ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Animals
This is the perfect song for a haunted house movie, Angela.
A great song Angela. Brings back many great memories. Thank you..
Love this song
Angela, don't forget about creepy Whiter Shade of Pale 🤣 I agree though very eerie mystical vibe, love it!
A lot of new listeners to the song are misinterpreting the line, " and the only time that he's satisfied...is when he's on A DRUNK".... not A Drug.
The song is a metaphor for anyone for anyone who's life came to ruin by a life of bad choices and 'sin'...and who came from a broken home with no responsible father around.
Most Poignant Lyric Award in this song goes to: "Well, I got one foot on the platform ... the other foot on the train. I'm goin' back to New Aw-lee-uns, TO WEAR THAT BALL AND CHAIN." Resigned himself to a life of pain and degradation.
This is a very interesting song. No one knows how old it is or who wrote it. From what I've seen, it seems it was written from a female point of view originally (it's been the ruin of many a poor girl, and God I know I'm one), if I'm not mistaken. We know that the "House of the Rising Sun" was a reference to a house of prostitution. I've heard a version of this recorded by an OLD R&B guy back in the late 1920's or early 1930's, which I believe was earlier than the Lead Belly version. I know that lines have been added to it and lines have been changed. Originally (or at least the first version I've seen of it) the female version said her father was a drinking man not a gambling man. I also know that Bob Dylan did a cover of it in the late 1950's or early 1960's, and interestingly, he sang it from a female point of view as well. But it remains largely shrouded in mystery. I know one thing it's freaking sad!
Nina Simone's slow version is great at explaining what The House of The Rising Sun means
My favorite song of all time ….
just a classic top song of all time..Love Eric Burden..have seen him a few times at small venues at a great affordable price
I always amazed me that voice coming out of someone who looks like a kid! Love Eric Burdon!
He was pretty young - like 23. Did have a baby face for his age...
The singer had a voice way beyond his years.