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Title: House of the Rising Sun
Artist: The Animals
Release Date: 1964
Genre: Folk Rock, Blues Rock
“House of the Rising Sun” is a classic folk and blues-rock song performed by the British rock band The Animals. It was released in 1964 and quickly became a significant part of rock music history.
Lyrics: The song’s lyrics tell the haunting tale of a person’s life gone awry in the notorious “House of the Rising Sun” in New Orleans. The lyrics describe a sense of regret, despair, and the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of misfortune. The narrator of the song is pleading for others not to make the same mistakes they did. The line “Oh mother, tell your children not to do what I have done” is particularly memorable and captures the essence of the song’s cautionary narrative.
Musical Style: “House of the Rising Sun” features a distinctive and captivating guitar riff, played on an electric guitar by Hilton Valentine. The song’s arrangement is characterized by a haunting, melancholic atmosphere, driven by Eric Burdon’s emotive vocal delivery. The Animals’ version of the song is a fusion of folk and blues-rock elements, marked by a somber, yet compelling melody.
Impact: The Animals’ rendition of “House of the Rising Sun” was a commercial and critical success, reaching the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. Its innovative and emotional interpretation of the traditional folk song made it stand out in the mid-1960s music scene.
Legacy: “House of the Rising Sun” remains one of the most recognized and enduring songs in the history of rock music. It has been covered and adapted by countless artists in various genres over the years. The Animals’ version continues to be celebrated for its emotive and distinctive sound, and it has left an indelible mark on the folk and rock music canon. The song’s timeless narrative and haunting melody ensure its place as a classic in the world of popular music.
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Lyrics
“The House Of The Rising Sun”
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 a trunk
And the only time he’s satisfied
Is when he’s all drunk
[Organ Solo]
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