We Gotta Get Out of This Place

The Animals

About We Gotta Get Out of This Place

"We Gotta Get out of This Place", occasionally written "We've Gotta Get out of This Place", is a rock song written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil and recorded as a 1965 hit single by The Animals. It has become an iconic song of its type and was immensely popular with United States Armed Forces GIs during the Vietnam War. In 2004 it was ranked number 233 on Rolling Stone's The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list; it is also in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll list.  


Year:
1966
1,561 
#1

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In this dirty old part of the city
Where the sun refused to shine
People tell me there ain't no use in tryin'

Now my girl, you're so young and pretty
And one thing I know is true
You'll be dead before your time is due, I know

Watch my daddy in bed a-dyin'
Watched his hair been turnin' grey
He's been workin' and slavin' his life away, oh yes I know it

(Yeah!) he's been workin' so hard (yeah!)
And I've been workin' too, baby (yeah!)
Every night and day (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!)

We gotta get out of this place
If it's the last thing we ever do
We gotta get out of this place
'Cause girl, there's a better life for me and you

Now my girl you're so young and pretty
And one thing I know is true, yeah
You'll be dead before your time is due, I know it

Watch my daddy in bed a-dyin'
Watched his hair been turnin' grey, yeah
He's been workin' and slavin' his life away
I know he's been workin' so hard

(Yeah!) I've been workin' too, baby (yeah!)
Every day baby (yeah!)
Whoa!
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!)

We gotta get out of this place
If it's the last thing we ever do
We gotta get out of this place
Girl, there's a better life for me and you
Somewhere baby
Somehow I know it, baby

We gotta get out of this place
If it's the last thing we ever do
We gotta get out of this place
Girl, there's a better life for me and you
Believe me baby
I know it baby
You know it too

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The Animals

The Animals were an English band of the 1960s, formed in Newcastle upon Tyne during the early part of the decade. The band relocated to London on finding fame in 1964. The Animals were known for their gritty, bluesy sound and deep-voiced frontman Eric Burdon, as exemplified by their signature song and transatlantic No.1 hit single, "The House of the Rising Sun", as well as by hits such as "We Gotta Get out of This Place", "It's My Life", and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood". The band balanced tough, rock-edged pop singles against rhythm and blues-oriented album material. They were known in the US as part of the British Invasion. more »

7 fans

Written by: Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Song Creation
"We Gotta Get Out of This Place" was written by songwriting team Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. They were responsible for many hits of the 1960s.
Famous Performer
The most well-known rendition of the song was performed by the British band, The Animals, in 1965.
Influence
The song became an anthem for social and political change and is often associated with the Vietnam War as it resonated with the soldiers' wishes to escape their situation.
Popularity
The song was a hit in multiple countries, reaching number 2 on the UK Singles Chart and number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
Intention
Originally, the song was intended for The Righteous Brothers but it was ultimately given to The Animals.
Prized Position
In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" number 233 on its list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Musical Genre
The track falls under the genre of British Invasion and blues rock.
Theme
The song is about the desperation of escaping one's circumstances and striving for a better life, reflecting the era's social tensions.
Media Appearance
It has been used in numerous films and TV shows, including "Full Metal Jacket", "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and "Chuck".
Cover Versions
Numerous artists have covered "We Gotta Get Out of This Place", including punk band Fear, Bruce Springsteen, and Angelic Upstarts.
Impact
At the time of the Vietnam War, the song was seen as something of an anthem among U.S. service members, reflecting their desire to return home.
Repeated Success
A year after its initial release, The Animals had another hit with the song in the United Kingdom - it reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart in 1966.
Band Member Changes
By the time the song became a hit, the band had started to change their members, marking their phase from The Animals to Eric Burdon and the Animals.

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    We Gotta Get Out of This Place

    22.5M
    95,848     2,444

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1965

    Billboard #13


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