House of the Rising Sun

The Animals

About 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".  


Year:
1998
4:32
96 
#1

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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


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 »

8 fans

Written by: Alan Price

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Origin
The exact origins of "House of the Rising Sun" are unknown, but it is believed to be a traditional folk song. The earliest known version was probably a UK Ballad, dating from the late 18th century.
Adaptations
The song has been adapted numerous times, but the version recorded by The Animals in 1964 is the most well-known.
Lyrics
The lyrics tell a story of life gone wrong in New Orleans. Although the song is gender-neutral, different cover versions have often changed the gender of the protagonist.
Folk Song Interpretation
Some interpretations of the song suggest it may have been about a brothel in New Orleans, while others suggest the "House of the Rising Sun" could be a local prison, a church, or a variety of other places.
Song Duration
The recording of the song by The Animals is 4 minutes and 29 seconds long, which was unusually long for a pop single at the time.
Chart Success
The song reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart in 1964. Later, it became number 1 on the American Billboard Hot 100, making The Animals the second British group after The Beatles to achieve such a milestone.
Recording Conditions
The Animal's version of the song was reportedly recorded in just one take, making its success extra remarkable. The entire process took only 15 minutes.
Influences
The Animals were significantly influenced by a version recorded by Bob Dylan in 1962, which in turn was inspired by an earlier recording by Folk artist Dave Van Ronk.
Popularity
Despite its age and gloomy theme, the song remains popular and frequently covered modern times which is a testament to its enduring appeal.
Use in Media
"House of the Rising Sun" has been used in numerous films and TV shows, including "Casino", "The Affair" and "American Horror Story".
Recognition
In 1999, The Animals' version of the song was given the Grammy Hall of Fame Award, which honors recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance.

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