The House of the Rising Sun

The Animals

About The House of the Rising Sun

"The House of the Rising Sun" is a traditional folk song, sometimes called "Rising Sun Blues". It tells of a life gone wrong in New Orleans; many versions also urge a sibling or parents and children to avoid the same fate. The most successful commercial version, recorded in 1964 by British rock group The Animals, was a number one hit on the UK Singles Chart and also in the United States and France. As a traditional folk song recorded by an electric rock band, it has been described as the "first folk rock hit".  


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There is a house in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
And God, I know I'm one

My mother was a tailor
She sewed my new blue jeans
My father was a gamblin' man
Down in New Orleans

Now the only thing a gambler needs
Is a suitcase and trunk
And the only time he'll be satisfied
Is when he's all drunk

Oh, mother, tell your children
Not to do what I have done
Spend your lives in sin and misery
In the House of the Rising Sun

Well, I got one foot on the platform
The other foot on the train
I'm goin' back to New Orleans
To wear that ball and chain

Well, there is a house in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
And God, I know I'm one

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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 »

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Written by: Alan Price

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

History
"The House of The Rising Sun" is an old folk song, its origins are unknown and there are theories it may date back up to 400 years. The song is about a life gone wrong in New Orleans.
Release
"The House of The Rising Sun" was recorded by British rock band, The Animals, in 1964 during the British Invasion, where numerous UK bands gained popularity in the US.
Success
The song reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart in July 1964, and it became number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in September 1964.
Structure
The version by "The Animals" is characterized by the distinct Arpeggio guitar part that opens the track, played by Hilton Valentine and the powerful vocal performance by Eric Burdon.
Genre
The song is considered a classic in the genre of British R&B.
Influence
The Animals' version has had a profound impact on popular culture, being covered and reinterpreted by numerous musicians across various genres.
Duration
Although popular songs at this time were around 2 minutes in length, this song breaks the rule with a duration of just over 4 minutes. The Animals' management actually trimmed it down from 5 minutes, fearing it was too long for radio.
Recording
The track was recorded in just one take, suggesting a remarkable level of preparedness and musicianship in the band.
Lyrics
Different versions of the song have varied lyrics. In some the protagonist is a female led into a life of degradation, while in others it speaks of a male with a gambling problem.
Status
The song is recognised for its contribution to the genre of rock and remains a staple of classic rock radio, having been described as "first folk-rock hit".
Legacy
"The House of the Rising Sun" introduced The Animals to a global audience, ultimately leading them to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Originality
While the Animals took the credit for the song, it was not their original creation. There were already various versions by artists like Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie before The Animals covered it.

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