Table Of Content
- The Meaning Behind The Song: House of the Rising Sun by The Doors
- The Meaning Behind “Peaceful Easy Feeling” by the Eagles and the Unlikely Path It Traveled to Becoming a Hit
- Five Finger Death Punch version
- Artists - Q-Z
- Videos by American Songwriter
- Written and Recorded
- What Is the House of the Rising Sun?: An Introduction to the Origins of the Classic Song
With its melancholic melody and Jim Morrison’s soulful vocals, the song captures the essence of desperation and hopelessness. 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.
The Meaning Behind The Song: House of the Rising Sun by The Doors
Another popular theory goes that it was about a women’s prison in the city which had a gate that bore a rising sun motif (allegedly a reference to the “ball and chain” lyric in the song). A lot of people have sung the song over the years, and there will be a lot that still will sing it. The message in “House of the Rising Sun“ still has relevance today, which is why it is called a timeless song. However, I doubt anyone will ever come close to Eric Burdon’s rendition, which creates the feeling of the tortured soul the song is about. 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.
The Meaning Behind “Peaceful Easy Feeling” by the Eagles and the Unlikely Path It Traveled to Becoming a Hit
Justin Timberlake originally wrote "Gone" for Michael Jackson, but his team turned it down, so 'N Sync cut it instead. The Four Tops' "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" was written by the Motown team of Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland and Eddie Holland. The phrase "Sugar pie, honey bunch" was something Dozier's grandfather used to say when he was a kid.
Five Finger Death Punch version
Nobody is sure who wrote “House of the Rising Sun.” But we do know that the Animals, powered by the blustery vocals of Eric Burdon, claimed it. I had learned it sometime in the 1950s, from a recording by Hally Wood, the Texas singer and collector, who had got it from an Alan Lomax field recording by a Kentucky woman named Georgia Turner. I put a different spin on it by altering the chords and using a bass line that descended in half steps—a common enough progression in jazz, but unusual among folksingers. By the early 1960s, the song had become one of my signature pieces, and I could hardly get off the stage without doing it. The song is also credited to Ronnie Gilbert on an album by the Weavers released in the late 1940s or early 1950s.
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. House of the Rising Sun has stood the test of time due to its captivating storytelling, emotional depth, and memorable melody. The song touches on universal themes and emotions that resonate with listeners across generations. Its haunting atmosphere and powerful vocals make it a standout track that continues to captivate audiences to this day.
The Number Ones: The Animals' “The House Of The Rising Sun” - Stereogum
The Number Ones: The Animals' “The House Of The Rising Sun”.
Posted: Thu, 28 Jun 2018 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Videos by American Songwriter
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.
Written and Recorded
“The House of the Rising Sun” was a traditional folk ballad about a person’s life going wrong in New Orleans, with different versions using various narratives with the same themes. First, there was that iconic guitar arpeggio to start the song that every learning guitarist tried to play but couldn’t. Then there was a powerful organ solo in the middle that ‘Pricey’ dragged out of his shaking Vox Continental. However, it was the vocals that set the song apart, especially when Eric went up an octave. But, they rarely had three different “high points.” This song did, which is one reason why “House of the Rising Sun” is so unique. A song is written, and, if it’s special enough, it hangs around waiting for an artist to claim it, putting their indelible stamp on it so that all other versions are henceforth compared to that one unforgettable take.
What Is the House of the Rising Sun?: An Introduction to the Origins of the Classic Song
They “electrified” it, added a superb organ solo from Alan Price, and Burdon sang it first in a lower register, then took it up an octave. The whole thing was started by Hilton Valentine’s iconic guitar arpeggio beginning. In these variations, the narrator is a woman bemoaning her return to prostitution.
The Time Bob Dylan Stole Dave Van Ronk’s Arrangement for “House of the Rising Sun”
The Doors’ rendition of House of the Rising Sun took the original folk song and transformed it into a psychedelic rock masterpiece. They infused the song with their unique sound, incorporating Jim Morrison’s distinctive vocals and Ray Manzarek’s mesmerizing organ playing. The band’s interpretation added a sense of depth and intensity to the track. 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. The song is often heard in the soundtracks of popular TV shows (The West Wing and Supernatural) and movies (Suicide Squad).
Only the band’s organist, Alan Price, was given credit for arranging the track as the record company said that there wasn’t enough room to include all the members as arrangers. Price performed the organ solo that was shaped after jazzman Jimmy Smith’s hit, “Walk On The Wild Side”, on a Vox Continental. It remains, without a doubt, one of the songs that shaped the 60s and, to some extent, shaped rock music.
It speaks to the universal human experience of being drawn into a life of vice and the subsequent consequences that follow. I suppose to an extent, that will depend on whether it is a man or a woman singing it. However, there is a major theme in “House of the Rising Sun” that is common to just about all versions. For most bands, when you had a big-name artist that was to follow, you usually end up with a bit of a rocker. In that version, you will find a similar tune and words, with Lowestoft, a seaside town in the UK, replacing New Orleans.
The “ball and chain” may mean ‘prison’, but could also be a metaphor for addiction to gambling and booze. At the time, New Orleans businesses listed as coffee houses often also sold alcoholic beverages.
Producer Mickie Most was looking for a follow-up and wanted something different. The song was first recorded in 1933 by Clarence Ashley and Gwen Foster under the title “Rising Sun Blues.” In response to a question about the song’s origins, Ashley said that his grandfather had taught it to him. Grandfather Enoch was married at the time of the American Civil war, which places the timeframe we are looking at in context.
Yes, there are several live recordings of The Doors performing House of the Rising Sun. These performances showcase the band’s raw energy and improvisation skills, with each performance offering a unique interpretation of the song. Some notable live versions can be found on The Doors’ live albums and concert recordings. House of the Rising Sun is a timeless classic, and one of the most iconic songs in the history of rock music. Originally an old folk tune, this song has been interpreted and reimagined by various artists over the years. However, it was The Doors who truly brought it to life and made it their own.
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