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As a popular folk song, the oldest record of “House of the Rising Sun” in reference to a song was 1905, and it was first recorded in 1933 by an Appalachian group. Other early recordings include Woody Guthrie’s version from 1941 and Bob Dylan in 1961. The version by the Animals, however, is by far the most popular, and Dylan is often annoyed when it is assumed that he covered that song from them. The Animals' version of the American folk song is considered one of the 20th century’s British pop classics. While the original version was sung in the character of a woman led into a life of degradation, the Animals' version is told from the view of a young man who follows his father into alcoholism and gambling ruin. House of the Rising Sun played a significant role in establishing The Doors as one of the leading bands of their time.
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It was first recorded in the 1920s, followed by a number of other artists including Leadbelly, Josh White and later Nina Simone. The Doors’ rendition of House of the Rising Sun showcases the band’s unique sound and their ability to infuse their own emotions into a timeless folk song. The combination of Jim Morrison’s powerful vocals, Ray Manzarek’s haunting organ, and the band’s signature psychedelic sound creates a mesmerizing experience for the listener. House of the Rising Sun is a timeless classic, and one of the most iconic songs in the history of rock music.
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Woodie Guthrie recorded a version, as did both Joan Baez and Bob Dylan, who had arguably the most famous version until the Animals’ cover several years later. The Animals recorded their world-famous version in one take during a May, 1964 recording session. The song has been continuously been lauded for it’s sound and staying power, and remained The Animals most popular single. "The House of the Rising Sun" is a traditional folk song, sometimes called "Rising Sun Blues". Many versions also urge a sibling or parents and children to avoid the same fate. The most successful commercial version, recorded in 1964 by the British rock band The Animals, was a number one hit on the UK Singles Chart and in the US and Canada.
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It is interesting how Burdon didn’t perform the song for a long time after the Animals split, calling it an “embarrassment”. He has since made peace with it, however, and has revisited it on various occasions in different styles. Matt Marshall is the original publisher of American Blues Scene and owns Bluescentric.com the shop for Blues, Soul, and Rock n Roll -- authentic music t-shirts where every sale pays artist's estates directly. One foot is on the platform and the other on on the train,I’m going back to New Orleans to wear that ball and chain. There is a house in New Orleans they call the Rising Sun,It’s been the ruin of many poor girl, and me, O God, for one. This is a song that is instantly recognized by those first seven or eight guitar notes.
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It showcased their musical versatility and ability to put a fresh spin on a traditional song. The Doors’ version became one of their signature songs and helped solidify their place in rock music history. Apart from The Doors, several notable artists have covered House of the Rising Sun.
While some believe the song to be about a brothel in New Orleans, others argue that it speaks to the allure and destructive nature of addiction. Regardless of its exact meaning, the song’s universal themes of regret, redemption, and the consequences of one’s actions resonate with listeners of all generations. 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, they sing in the chorus. Johnny Cash never performed this song, it was a cover artist named "The Ghost of Johnny Cash" (real name David Radcliffe).
Burdon then lets rip with all the emotion and anguish he can muster for that last verse as he pummels our senses. The song then tapers off to a gentle ending, with Alan Price again taking the lead. One of the original versions reverses the genders and is about a woman who has no option but to return to that sort of life. One thing for certain is that the original version of “House of the Rising Sun” had nothing to do with New Orleans. The first people to sing it had probably never even heard of New Orleans. So, the next time you find yourself drawn to a melancholic melody or a song that stirs something deep within your soul, remember to listen closely to the lyrics and uncover the meaning behind the music.
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“House of the Rising Sun” went to #1 on both sides of the Atlantic and was the first major Folk-Rock success. But, he later admitted when they had finished it, he knew it was special. The Animals were from the Northeast of England and were a well-known blues band even in London, 300 miles south. Their first single, “Baby Let Me Take You Home,” was an indication that they were going to be good. Released in 1964, it reached #21 in the UK and almost broke into the Top 100 in America.
It delves into the dark side of human nature, exploring themes of addiction, betrayal, and lost innocence. The lyrics evoke a sense of sadness and introspection, urging the listener to reflect on their own choices and actions. Dave Van Ronk and Bob Dylan played “House of the Rising Sun” in coffeehouses. Burdon himself picked the song up from the English folk scene, and the Animals first covered the slow, sinister tune when they opened for Chuck Berry because they knew they “couldn’t outrock” the guitar great. It is a great song for them to perform, but it wasn’t the only one that raised the roof. There were only two singers that could do that and make it work so well.
While there is no specific true story behind the song, House of the Rising Sun draws inspiration from the themes and experiences common in the world of addiction, regret, and lost opportunities. It speaks to the universal human experience of being drawn into a life of vice and the subsequent consequences that follow. But he still goes and knows that the temptations of the place are like a ball and chain that he is condemned to carry. However, it seems more likely it is a metaphor for his addictions to drinking and gambling.
The Parton version makes it quite blunt, with a few new lyric lines that were written by Parton. Parton's remake reached number 14 on the US country singles chart and crossed over to the pop charts, where it reached number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100; it also reached number 30 on the US Adult Contemporary chart. Parton has occasionally performed the song live, including on her 1987–88 television show, in an episode taped in New Orleans. Believe it or not, the melody is a traditional English ballad, but the song became popular as an African-American folk song.
Grandfather Enoch was married at the time of the American Civil war, which places the timeframe we are looking at in context. Many have sung “House of the Rising Sun” before Eric Burdon took it on with the Animals, and many will sing it in the future. Its psychological insight and philosophical meaning are all too relevant for this song to be anything but timeless. But it’s hard to imagine that anybody will ever again inhabit that doomed soul at the epicenter of the tale quite as well. "Dirty Work" is one of the few Steely Dan songs not sung by Donald Fagen.
There have been tales of a picture of a women’s prison outside of New Orleans with a stone etching of a rising sun over the gate, though no images have surfaced to date. The theory is plausible, since most versions before the 60s made the narrator a woman, and many renditions include the phrase “ball and chain”. A house on Esplanade Ave, just beside the French Quarter in the Treme neighborhood has, at times, been referenced as being “the” Rising Sun, as have several other places in the area. In all actuality, the term “Rising Sun” was and continues to be (no doubt fueled, in part, by the song’s staying power and popularity, bringing it full-circle,) a common phrase.
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