The Animals The House of the Rising Sun Lyrics

Table Of Content

• Artists - A-H
• Free Music
• Songs for People Who Say They Don’t Like Taylor Swift
• Watch Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo Party Like Rockstars During Nickelback Performance
• The House of the Rising Sun Lyrics
• Earliest American versions
• Other notable versions
• The Meaning Behind “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals – Final Thoughts

So, we shouldn’t be surprised to find references to ‘The Rising Sun.’ It is a common name for an English pub even today. Pubs of two to three hundred years ago were often “houses of ill-repute.” The song was likely carried to America by immigrants who performed it there, from whence local names and traditions became intertwined. The song was first recorded in 1933 by Clarence Ashley and Gwen Foster under the title “Rising Sun Blues.” In response to a question about the song’s origins, Ashley said that his grandfather had taught it to him. Grandfather Enoch was married at the time of the American Civil war, which places the timeframe we are looking at in context.

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Artists - A-H

However, it was the vocals that set the song apart, especially when Eric went up an octave. But, they rarely had three different “high points.” This song did, which is one reason why “House of the Rising Sun” is so unique. There are far too many versions of “House of the Rising Sun” to list them all. But, a few notable recordings are Leadbelly from 1948, Joan Baez from 1960, and Bob Dylan from 1962.

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However, what makes this song truly exceptional is its rich history and the profound emotions it evokes through its lyrics. According to old city directories of New Orleans, one short-lived hotel on Conti Street in the French Quarter in the 1820s was called Rising Sun. In the late 19th century, there was also Rising Sun Hall on what is now Cherokee Street. Also, in the 1860s, a place called The Rising Sun was advertised in local papers on what is now the lake side of the 100 block of Decatur Street.

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Instead of chance hearing-and-remembering by hand fulls of troubadours, records were common and fairly easy to come by. From the 1940s on, many artists recorded various versions of the song, occasionally under different titles, but generally the same lyrics and chord progressions. In 1958, Pete Seeger recorded a version on the banjo and, as was often common in earlier versions of the song, he sang it from the perspective of a woman. Woodie Guthrie recorded a version, as did both Joan Baez and Bob Dylan, who had arguably the most famous version until the Animals’ cover several years later.

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Colombian band Los Speakers covered the song under the title "La Casa del Sol Naciente", in their 1965 album of the same name. "House of the Rising Sun" was not included on any of the group's British albums, but it was reissued as a single twice in subsequent decades, charting both times, reaching number 25 in 1972 and number 11 in 1982. A beautiful, comprehensive volume of Dylan’s lyrics, from the beginning of his career through the present day-with the songwriter’s edits to dozens of songs, appearing here for the first time. There is a house in New Orleans, it’s called the Rising SunIt’s been the ruin of many poor girlGreat God, and I for one. As a final note, the legacy of House of the Rising Sun lies in its ability to transcend time and connect with audiences on a deep emotional level.

The House of the Rising Sun Lyrics

However, it seems more likely it is a metaphor for his addictions to drinking and gambling. For most bands, when you had a big-name artist that was to follow, you usually end up with a bit of a rocker. Throughout the song, the narrator refers to his parents, his mother being a tailor who sewed his jeans and his father being a gambling man from New Orleans. Here, we catch a glimpse of the troubled life the narrator has experienced, tainted by his father’s vices and the hardships of his childhood.

Although the date and author of the song are unknown, some musicologists have said that it resembled ballads of the 16th century, and could very easily have derived from one of that time. As a popular folk song, the oldest record of “House of the Rising Sun” in reference to a song was 1905, and it was first recorded in 1933 by an Appalachian group. Other early recordings include Woody Guthrie’s version from 1941 and Bob Dylan in 1961. The version by the Animals, however, is by far the most popular, and Dylan is often annoyed when it is assumed that he covered that song from them. The Animals' version of the American folk song is considered one of the 20th century’s British pop classics.

At the very least, he tries to use his example to save others—Oh mother, tell you children not to do what I have done. And maybe he even hesitates for just a moment before committing to his return, Well, I got one foot on the platform/The other on the train. If the music sounded almost supernatural, Burdon’s vocal gave the song its terrestrial heart, one rent in two by the loaded dice and lost bets. He tempers his performance, starting off low and with deadly serious intent to grab your attention. When he soars up an octave, all the pain and anguish come pouring out. At the time, New Orleans businesses listed as coffee houses often also sold alcoholic beverages.

The Meaning Behind “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals – Final Thoughts

The House of the Rising Sun serves as a metaphor for a place of temptation and moral corruption. Burdon then lets rip with all the emotion and anguish he can muster for that last verse as he pummels our senses. The song then tapers off to a gentle ending, with Alan Price again taking the lead. One of the original versions reverses the genders and is about a woman who has no option but to return to that sort of life. First, there was that iconic guitar arpeggio to start the song that every learning guitarist tried to play but couldn’t. Then there was a powerful organ solo in the middle that ‘Pricey’ dragged out of his shaking Vox Continental.

One of the most well-known versions is by the British rock band The Animals, who had a major hit with their 1964 rendition. Other artists who have covered the song include Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and Dolly Parton. It remains, without a doubt, one of the songs that shaped the 60s and, to some extent, shaped rock music. The use of light and shade and a progressive atmospheric build was innovative. Those vocals, and the essential organ part from Alan Price, lifted this song way above anything else at the time.

It is a great song for them to perform, but it wasn’t the only one that raised the roof. Besides that, Most just didn’t like it when they played it to him. But, he later admitted when they had finished it, he knew it was special. The Animals were from the Northeast of England and were a well-known blues band even in London, 300 miles south. Their first single, “Baby Let Me Take You Home,” was an indication that they were going to be good. Released in 1964, it reached #21 in the UK and almost broke into the Top 100 in America.

The earliest recorded versions date back to the 1930s, and it has since been covered by numerous artists in various styles. House of the Rising Sun is a timeless classic, and one of the most iconic songs in the history of rock music. Originally an old folk tune, this song has been interpreted and reimagined by various artists over the years. However, it was The Doors who truly brought it to life and made it their own.

Both the Joan Baez and Dylan versions were included on their first albums, which were both very folk-oriented. One thing for certain is that the original version of “House of the Rising Sun” had nothing to do with New Orleans. The first people to sing it had probably never even heard of New Orleans. With each verse, a sense of desperation and regret permeates the lyrics. The lines, “Oh mother, tell your children not to do what I have done. Spend your life in sin and misery, in the house of the rising sun,” serve as a solemn plea from the narrator to warn others against following his path.

Its enduring popularity is a testament to the timeless nature of music and its power to evoke emotions and tell compelling stories. While there is no specific true story behind the song, House of the Rising Sun draws inspiration from the themes and experiences common in the world of addiction, regret, and lost opportunities. It speaks to the universal human experience of being drawn into a life of vice and the subsequent consequences that follow.