The House of the Rising Sun
The Animals
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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 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's satisfied Is when he's on a 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
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Written by: Alan Price
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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.
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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.
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SuccessThe 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.
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StructureThe 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.
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GenreThe song is considered a classic in the genre of British R&B.
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InfluenceThe Animals' version has had a profound impact on popular culture, being covered and reinterpreted by numerous musicians across various genres.
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DurationAlthough 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.
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RecordingThe track was recorded in just one take, suggesting a remarkable level of preparedness and musicianship in the band.
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LyricsDifferent 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.
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StatusThe 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".
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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.
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OriginalityWhile 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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Citation
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"The House of the Rising Sun Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2023. Web. 30 Nov. 2023. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/5106180/The+Animals/The+House+of+the+Rising+Sun>.
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