The Animals - House Of The Rising Sun (1964) *DayOne Reacts* 

One of the greatest songs ever Anglia. It is so timeless and still holds its own to songs of any age.

One legend says that the House of the Rising Sun was a brothel in New Orleans. It's a traditional Folk song

The song is a very old Blues/Folk traditional that possibly originated in England with different lyrics, though a similar theme. It was being performed in the US as early as the 1850s. It's been recorded by several artists before The Animals, including Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, and Bob Dylan. During the huge Folk music movement in the UK (they called it Skiffle) of the late 1950s, Lead Belly's large catalogue of music was heavily mined by the acts of the day. Most likely, this is where The Animals heard it and adapted it into their Blues Rock style. The House of the Rising Sun is basically, a brothel, and the song has also been sung as a warning to young girls that it's not a place to end up. In this case, the House has been frequented by the person in the song and has led him down a path of ruin and self-destruction. It's exactly the right sounding song for The Animals, reflecting their early life growing up in the coal based area of their native Newcastle. A hard life that led them to their love of the Blues and their 'growly' sound. I'm glad you like this song, Angela. It's a classic, for sure! One of The Animals' best tracks ♥

You’ve just reacted to one of the greatest performances in history great choice!

The great voice of British blues-style vocalist, Eric Burdon. Other hits with the Animals include "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," "Don't Bring Me Down" and "Sky Pilot." In the late 60's, Burdon also performed with the funk rock group War out of the Bay Area in California. Two memorable songs from that time are "Spill the Wine" and "Tobacco Road."

The Animals recorded this song in 1 live take. Alan Price plays a Vox Continental electric piano/organ giving the song its haunted house quality. This song was also the first British Invasion song to reach #1 on the Billboard charts in 1964 not written by Lennon and McCartney. Cheers, RNB

The walking around during the song is reminiscent of the funeral marches done in New Orleans

The organ adds so much to this song and his voice was fantastic in my opinion

It's a song of a person who lives a life always on the move. Gambling, drinking, and always restless. He knows it's a bad life, but he's stuck.

The bass player Chas Chandler ended up being Jimi Hendrix's first producer in England....

The voice of an old soul.

Fricken awesome then & always will be

Classic song , by a classic band. Great selection .

I remember growing up we watched The Animals perform on The Ed Sullivan Show. They were big time. Later the singer Eric Burdon got together with War and had a very popular song called "Spill the Wine".

Not bad for a few youngsters from Newcastle, England. The sad thing is they split up too soon!

It doesn’t matter how many times I hear this song but it haunts me and moves me every single time. It is so amazing. Great reaction. And yea, your thinking is right. House of debauchery

This song has a long history as others have mentioned. It was usually sung as a two chord dirge and sometimes with three chords. Their were variations in the words, but they all tell the same story. In the early sixties a folksinger named Dave Van Ronk created a 5 chord arrangement of the song. Dave was well known around Greenwich Village and mentored many of the up and coming folksingers of the early 60's. One was Bob Dylan, who Dave let live at his house when he first came to the village. He taught Dylan some of the songs he played, including House of the Rising Sun. After getting his own apartment and a recording contract Dylan began recording his first album. He ran into Dave on the street and said he'd like to use Dave's arrangement of House of the Rising Sun on his first album. Dave said he'd like him to wait, because he was also cutting his first album and wanted to cut it himself. Dylan said oh, sorry it's already in the can. Dylan's album sold well in England and a few bands recorded the song, copying the same 5 chord progression that Dylan copied from Dave Van Ronk. Eric Burdon said he got the song from hearing Alan Price's band do it. But Hilton Valentine, the Animals' guitarist said they learned it from the Dylan version and "I just played the Dylan chords using arpeggios". Of course the Animals did change it into a great rock version with the added instruments. The funny part of the story is Dave said he was upset with Dylan at first, but they remained friends.. But he stopped doing the song at gigs for a while because he got tired of people coming up to him and saying "can you do that Dylan song, House of The Rising Sun?", but then he thought it was funny after the Animals' version came out and people would go up to Dylan and ask "can you do that Animals song, House of the Rising Sun?". 😂

This came out the same year the Beatles were singing I Want to Hold Your Hand to little girls.

You should really check out "Walk Away Renee" by the Left Banke.

I'm surprised that you haven't reacted to this song by now.

Great song made when I was born..lol but i remember its haunting lyrics. " And the only time he's satisfied Is when he's all drunk" Great pick again!!!

the ferocity of the organ solo still grabs me after all these years. bob dylan remarked that the animals doing "the old new orleans whorehouse song in rock" convinced him to pick up an electric guitar. the third guy in the parade, playing the base, was chas chandler, who later managed jimi hendrix.

This is 1964, a couple months after the Beatles made it here. Their management made them get Beatle haircuts and Beatle suits to capitalize on the Beatles success. 3 months later, the Rolling Stones came over.

This is one of the song's every garage band played in the 69's. I know I did as a drummer.

It's a testimony to the brilliance of that performance as to how well that has aged nearly 60 years after it was recorded. In one take.

Great reaction... one ofvthe best songs of all time...

Animals were huge. They had a 'bad boys' image and did unusual music back in the day.

The lyrics say “ I’m going back to New Orleans to wear that ball and chain. An iron ball was attached to prisoners to keep them from escaping so wearing a ball and chain meant he was going to prison.

The Animals were a band from the North East of England

Love the look on he guitarist face as they near the end and he knew Eric crushed that vocal. The subtle bow at the end speaks to the difference of musicians in the 60s and now. Eric Burden went on to sing with a group called WAR and had a huge hit called Spill the Wine.

Hello, Angela... Good choice... Bob Dylan also recorded a version of House of The Rising Sun...

the bass player...the tall guy chaz chandler took an unknown jimi hendrix to britton and put his group together and managed jimi for many years

I've always thought it was a " House of Ill repute"

Check him out when he joined the band War - Spill The wine Live ( The Beat Club) He killed it.

You have never heard this song? One of the most covered and famous songs. The House is a bordello.

Pretty much a debut hit for Eric Burdon and the Animals. This is a hand me down version of a much older song usually sung from the POV of a woman where the Rising Sun was a house of ill repute. This version makes mention of gambling, so - who knows. The Animals with vocalist Eric Burdon, were a part of the British Invasion. And while many of those bands were a flash in the pan, The Animals enjoyed greater popular longevity. Eric Burdon was a student of American blues, and the band did covers of Bo Diddly and Mississippi John Hurt and other bluesmen's songs. Burdon later solo'd and partnered with the funk/jazz band,War. They made good music into the 80's. 'Worth checking out more.

A great song Angela. Brings back many great memories. Thank you..

The great Eric Burdon and company, this is a legendary track and a huge hit. It was a signature song for him even after leaving the Animals. For more classic stuff try Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood or It's My Life, those songs are part of the vibe of the 60s and my youth. Enjoy! 🔉🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶

Classic song. Played in the movie Casino!!

Angela, don't forget about creepy Whiter Shade of Pale 🤣 I agree though very eerie mystical vibe, love it!

Love this song

One of my favorite bands, he has such a great voice, my favorite song by them is Don't let me be misunderstood.

A Geordie, that is a Newcastle Band from the early 1960s. Chas Chandler, the Bassist, went on to promote Jimi Hendrix in the UK, and hence to international immortality!

Also gives off some doom carnival “Doors”vibes.

A very old blues song of forgotten origins. Your feelings of "Red Light District" is correct. Tonally, this one couldn't be further from the Moody Blues' love song, Nights In White Satin...

Eric Burdon and his damn strong voice. That song is timeless.

Nights in White Satin freaks me out, too. The poem at the end used to terrify me when I was a kid.

Baby Boomer here! I was 10 years old when this song came out! I lived it then and now that I am much older, I still love this song! 🥰🥰🥰Eric Burdon music is fantastic! Hard to believe he is British, he sounds very Southern/ New Orleans! 🤔🥰🥰🥰🇩🇪🇨🇭🇺🇲💙💙💙🌲🌄🌲

"The House Of The Rising Sun”, dates back to the 19th Century. It is a traditional folk song, sometimes called "Rising Sun Blues"."House of Rising Sun" was said to have been known by American miners in 1905. The oldest published version of the lyrics is that printed by Robert Winslow Gordon in 1925, in a column titled "Old Songs That Men Have Sung" in Adventure magazine. Some of the lyrics in some version - "If you go to Lowestoft, and ask for The Rising Sun, There you'll find two old whores and my old woman is one. It tells of a person's life gone wrong in the city of New Orleans. Many versions also urge a sibling or parents and children to avoid the same fate. Interesting story, there was a dispute between the group and Alan Price (organ/keyboard player) over the royalties from the smash hit House of the Rising Sun. Although the song is an old traditional American folk song, it was Price who was credited with the royalties from The Animals version.

Hi Angela, This song is what you would call "hauntingly-good!!!" Creepy but with a positive message of warning!!!

It was a great song in 1964 too. I take it as a house if ill-repute

I always amazed me that voice coming out of someone who looks like a kid! Love Eric Burdon!

One haunting song. Eric Burdon's voice is insane.

Eric Burdon with War, "Spill the Wine"...😉

That man sure can play the keyboards

You nailed it. A house of debauchery. Gambling (he said his father was a gambler), drugs, booze, prostitution, etc. The song has a funeral dirge vibe to it.

I think the best word to describe that organ play is...manic.

just a classic top song of all time..Love Eric Burden..have seen him a few times at small venues at a great affordable price

Great song by an awesome band!! It’s an old song with an even older melody. I’ve read it’s about a New Orleans brothel

Elvis said true rock & roll is church, rhythm, and blues... you can see that in this as well. I think it's generalised so more people can relate. Father being in "sincere misery".

The other song you were thinking of where the organ freaked you out was Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum.

My favorite song of all time ….

House of the rising sun - One of the most iconic songs from my youth. I would have been in 4th grade. Love it and one of these days I am going to have to look up the lyrics and their meaning. I get part of it but to this day I still can't hear all of it. Thank You Jim Fricke for requesting it.

This... Kinights in White Satin... Palisades Park (you have the Organ and the Screams in the background)... By Halloween you're going to have a Spooky Playlist for the entire night with no repeats!

one of the most popular songs ever wrote

It is a cult song for the generation of the 60s and those that followed. A song that tells a story of so many. It remains in time and in the memory of those of us who still enjoy it. ⏳

In a 1930's recording of this song, (sung by a woman), it's from the perspective of a prostitute working at a brothel in New Orleans. "Mothers tell your daughters not to do what I have done. Spend your life in sin and misery, in the House of the Rising Sun".

Great reaction to a classic song!

Loved your review. I am an old timer and was learning guitar about the time this was released. One of the very first songs I learned by ear off the radio. I think later I actually bought the sheet music and was relieved the key on that was one I could sing. The Animals play in a much higher key. I always understood that the "House" was an opium den, in New Orleans, but I defer to the other commenters that seem to know much more than I. Great job as usual with the review, but I was actually astonished that you had never heard it before, somewhere... My family all know it, because it is one of the few songs that I can play and sing to them, and have over the years.

David Gates "Goodbye Girl". It's poetry!

The first great music video, imo. I like that you take notes. Good stuff.

Fab Gear has a good history on this song.

Yeah that’s a euphemism for a brothel. Believe it or not, Eric Burdon is a real rocker, he helped kick of the group War, an Afro Cuban funky as it gets band ! Early 70s, can’t miss if you’re funk/ blues/ inclined.

I always thought House of the Rising Sun referred to a place of prostitution, gambling, drinking.

DayOne and commenters, have you ever heard of the '70's group "Santa Esmeralda?" They do two great Animal songs that were turned into very long disco dance songs. Look for: 1) House Of The Rising Sun (14:58 full version). 2) Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (Full Version) which runs 16:05 min.) Enjoy dancers!)

The drummer is cool. Chewing gum and keeping time all at the same time.

I didn't expect that reaction, I never taught of this song as creepy. I always just taught of this song as a sixty song.

I never a reaction like you had and I'm listening to this almost 60 years. That's fine tho. Many very good songs and thankfully they got inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

Nice job young lady

First time I've heard anyone label this song as creepy lol. Haunting maybe, but nevertheless powerful; lyrically, instrumentality & those vocals are soo good.

Fun fact for you the guitarist Chas Chandler the tall one here discovered and managed the great Jimi Hendrix.... True .

This is the most accepted updated version, but this song actually goes back to the early 1500s, originally about a tavern / house of prostitution. A "House of the Rising Sun." was a euphemism in England at that time that meant a bordello, gambling house. The music ( instruments used )has changed, though the chord progression is basically close enough to link them as the same song, and the lyrics have evolved over the centuries. The original is from at least 1543, Matty Groves, about a young man and a prostitute, where he and she meet a gruesome demise.

One of the greatest recording ever. Your reactions / review were terrific. As we say here in Texas; Y'all be safe.

"I know you guys will let me know what it's about". Kinda chuckled, as this song has been studied and debated for years. The origin and meaning are ambiguous, at best. I looked around the interwebz once a few years back. I think I found 17 versions of this song by different artists.

Angela their impact on modern music was immense. Bruce Springsteen said they were his inspiration and Alan Price is in my opinion the father of rock and roll organist.

I love your reactions DayOne, they always make my day better and bring me joy, you are awesome:)

The orig artist from this song is the legendary " Leadbelly " 🎸👌

You have the right feeling for good music..and you are also a fantastic person .It's everytime a pleasure to see such a beautiful woman..greets from germany😉

My late Maternal Grandfather could play this song on the organ. Couldn't read sheet-music, but had a phenomenal ear. Rest in Peace Grandfather Leslie John Robertson (20/09/1928 - 21/01/2021) a fatality of the Coronavirus pandemic

that house sounds like a baaaaad place

Great reaction, Angela. You are correct in the house being a place of prostitution, gambling, etc…

The lore is the HOTRS was a brothel. Organ makes the song, killer solo. Great song; great post.

It sounds like Hotel California makes people feel when they find out its history

I'm 75 years old and I still love this song. It is so gratifying to watch someone enjoy a song that I love too. Thank you for a great video AND channel. Peace! I collected some data about this song that people are asking, so I thought I'd share it here. _"The House of the Rising Sun" is a traditional folk song, sometimes called Rising Sun Blues."_ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_House_of_the_Rising_Sun _Electronic Organ: _Alan Price played a Vox Continental_ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vox_Continental _"The Animals (also billed as Eric Burdon and the Animals) are an English rock band, formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in the early 1960s."_ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Animals

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but the bassist of this band Chas Chandler brought us Jimi Hendrix. This is such a great song

The singer had a voice way beyond his years.

I'm SO tired of people saying that the "House of the Rising Sun" refers to a brothel....I lived in New Orleans. It was the old New Orleans JAIL that faced east ! The line "I'm goin' back to New Orleans to wear that BALL & CHAIN." explains the it !

Loved it …a timeless classic 🙏🏻🔥🔥❤️☮️

Amazing, right? And what amazes me is the age of these guys, and so many other bands of the era, many barely in their 20's.....yet have such great skills as musicians and vocalists, and can play songs that relay the life experiences of people double or triple their age. Amazing time for music. I wish there was a way to recreate it.

the voice is not creepy it simply touches you deep in your soul and your conscience and resonates so you get goose bumps the same thing happened to me when I first heard it.