House calls: #3 "House of the Rising Sun" The Animals (1964)

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Even if you have heard this song a billion times since childhood as I have, “House of the Rising Sun” remains a major classic rock tune of the 60s. What I never knew is the song was a traditional folk tune of unknown origins. The first known recording is a 1933 blues version titled “Rising Sun.” Roy Acuff recorded “Rising Sun” in 1938. Among the numerous covers include Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly and Bob Dylan. Lead singer of the British blues band the Animals, deep growly voiced Eric Burdon altered the song from degraded woman view (rising sun alludes to bawdy house) to that of dissolute gambler and drunk. From their self titled debut album, “House of the Rising Sun” was an enormous #1 hit. The Animals went on to have a string of hits. They became Eric Burdon and the Animals upon relocating to California and becoming a psychedelic band. The Animals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.