Lyrics for The House Of The Rising Sun by The Animals

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• The Most Controversial Rock Songs That Made Musicians To…
• Dolly Parton version
• Genius is the world’s biggest collection of song lyrics and musical knowledge
• Blues
• The Meaning Behind “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals – Final Thoughts
• Q: How did The Doors’ version of House of the Rising Sun differ from previous versions?

“The House of the Rising Sun” was a traditional folk ballad about a person’s life going wrong in New Orleans, with different versions using various narratives with the same themes. 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. 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. A song is written, and, if it’s special enough, it hangs around waiting for an artist to claim it, putting their indelible stamp on it so that all other versions are henceforth compared to that one unforgettable take.

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The tragedy of “House of the Rising Sun” is that the narrator seems to have lost his free will. He knows that the house will be his damnation, yet he is en route while he is telling his sad story. 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. On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with. The original "Enter Sandman" lyric was about crib death, with the "sandman" killing a baby.

The Most Controversial Rock Songs That Made Musicians To…

Colombian band Los Speakers covered the song under the title "La Casa del Sol Naciente", in their 1965 album of the same name. In 2014, Five Finger Death Punch released a cover version for their album The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 2. Five Finger Death Punch's remake reached number 7 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. The single also charted in Australia (number 14), France (number 36), and Italy (number 54). The song was first collected in Appalachia in the 1930s, but probably has its roots in traditional English folk song.

Dolly Parton version

It speaks to the universal human experience of being drawn into a life of vice and the subsequent consequences that follow. I suppose to an extent, that will depend on whether it is a man or a woman singing it. However, there is a major theme in “House of the Rising Sun” that is common to just about all versions. For most bands, when you had a big-name artist that was to follow, you usually end up with a bit of a rocker. In that version, you will find a similar tune and words, with Lowestoft, a seaside town in the UK, replacing New Orleans.

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By the time the ’60s rolled around, the folk legend Dave Van Ronk included an intense take on “House of the Rising Sun” as a steady part of his live repertoire. His young acolyte Bob Dylan largely mimicked Van Ronk’s arrangement of the song and included it on his debut album. Across the pond at around the same time, Burdon apparently heard the song from a local folk singer in England. Burdon brought it into the Animals, who electrified the song for their 1964 self-titled debut album.

Furthermore, it seems that the song has been in existence for at least three hundred years. It has been known under a variety of names and has also switched genres. In some versions, it is about a woman who is returning to prostitution. In others, a man sings the narrative bemoaning his inability to let go of his sordid past, which includes drink, women, and gambling. 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.

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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. Eric Burdon heard this song sung in a Northeastern folk club and brought the song to the group as a suggestion.

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

The song has its roots in traditional folk music and has been passed down through generations. 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 played a significant role in establishing The Doors as one of the leading bands of their time. It showcased their musical versatility and ability to put a fresh spin on a traditional song. The Doors’ version became one of their signature songs and helped solidify their place in rock music history.

That release had no songwriting credit, but the liner notes indicate that Dylan learned this version of the song from Dave Van Ronk. In an interview for the documentary No Direction Home, Van Ronk said that he was intending to record the song and that Dylan copied his version. Van Ronk recorded it soon thereafter for the album Just Dave Van Ronk. It creates an atmospheric and haunting mood, drawing the listener into the world of the song’s protagonist. The lyrics, combined with the haunting instrumentals and Jim Morrison’s emotive vocals, establish a dark and introspective atmosphere throughout the track.

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.

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.

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. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the timeless nature of music and its power to evoke emotions and tell compelling stories. It is a great song for them to perform, but it wasn’t the only one that raised the roof. There were only two singers that could do that and make it work so well. “House of the Rising Sun” went to #1 on both sides of the Atlantic and was the first major Folk-Rock success.