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It remains, without a doubt, one of the songs that shaped the 60s and, to some extent, shaped rock music. The use of light and shade and a progressive atmospheric build was innovative. Those vocals, and the essential organ part from Alan Price, lifted this song way above anything else at the time. There are far too many versions of “House of the Rising Sun” to list them all. But, a few notable recordings are Leadbelly from 1948, Joan Baez from 1960, and Bob Dylan from 1962. Both the Joan Baez and Dylan versions were included on their first albums, which were both very folk-oriented.
Early commercial folk and blues releases
The first in 1962, on her live album, called Nina at the Village Gate. Simone’s second cover of House of the Rising Sun in 1967 is a glorious rendition. Seven minutes long, faster, and filled with original instrumentation, this remake can be found on Nina Sings The Blues. Keynote Records released one by Josh White in 1942, and Decca Records released one also in 1942 with music by White and the vocals performed by Libby Holman. In these variations, the narrator is a woman bemoaning her return to prostitution. Male singers made it “the ruin of many a poor boy,” which transformed the title establishment into a gambling den.
The Time Bob Dylan Stole Dave Van Ronk’s Arrangement for “House of the Rising Sun”
Like Miller's earlier country hit, Parton's remake returns the song to its original lyric of being about a fallen woman. The Parton version makes it quite blunt, with a few new lyric lines that were written by Parton. Parton has occasionally performed the song live, including on her 1987–88 television show, in an episode taped in New Orleans. By the time the ’60s rolled around, the folk legend Dave Van Ronk included an intense take on “House of the Rising Sun” as a steady part of his live repertoire.
American Folk
In 1957, Glenn Yarbrough recorded the song for Elektra Records. The song is also credited to Ronnie Gilbert on an album by the Weavers released in the late 1940s or early 1950s. In 1960, Miriam Makeba recorded the song on her eponymous RCA album. Joan Baez is one of the most well-known folk singers in American history. Civil rights and social causes were as much a part of her upbringing as any basic human necessity.
Blues
They released four albums in the early 70s and toured with heavy Detroit bands like MC5 and The Stooges. They speak to the life of common folk – a tailor, a gambler, a most likely a prostitute. Old versions of the song talk of the ruin of girls and some later versions of boys.
However, it seems more likely it is a metaphor for his addictions to drinking and gambling. In that version, you will find a similar tune and words, with Lowestoft, a seaside town in the UK, replacing New Orleans. The mystery deepens when you learn that there is a pub in Lowestoft called ‘The Rising Sun.’ Opened before 1964, I might add. A song that, when you try to get to the bottom of what it is all about and where it came from, asks more questions than it answers.
And Along Came Eric
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No one can claim rights to the song, meaning it can be recorded and sold royalty-free. Famous Yugoslav singer Miodrag "Miki" Jevremović covered the song and included it in his 1964 EP "18 Žutih Ruža" (eng. "Eighteen Yellow Roses"). The setting in New Orleans has led many to assume the song is about a brothel or a sleazy hotel.
The Meaning Behind “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals – Final Thoughts
Their greatest hits album is packed with The Animals’ best stuff. There were only two singers that could do that and make it work so well. “House of the Rising Sun” went to #1 on both sides of the Atlantic and was the first major Folk-Rock success. The Animals were on a UK concert tour supporting Chuck Berry. For most bands, when you had a big-name artist that was to follow, you usually end up with a bit of a rocker.
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Former director of UWF Japan House recognized with the Order of the Rising Sun award - Navarre Press
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Nina Simone is one of the most prolific soul singers of all time. Crowned the ‘High Priestess of Soul,’ Simone’s vocal delivery leaves people spellbound. Hypnotic, seductive, determined, mournful, vexed, and empowered are just a few ways to describe her work. Frijid Pink’s cover of House of the Rising Sun is drenched in heavy metal twang guitar.
Dylan promptly recorded a version of the song, using Van Ronk’s arrangement, before asking permission. Bob Dylan was part of the same folk scene of the New York early 60s as Dave Van Ronk, Woody Guthrie, and Joan Baez. He recorded his cover of House of the Rising Sun on his debut album in 1962. Nina Simone released two versions of House of the Rising Sun.
But, he later admitted when they had finished it, he knew it was special. Grandfather Enoch was married at the time of the American Civil war, which places the timeframe we are looking at in context. The narrative of the lyrics has varied between male and female narrators. The earliest known printed version from Gordon's column is about a woman's warning. The earliest known recording of the song by Ashley is about a rounder, a male character. The song was first collected in Appalachia in the 1930s, but probably has its roots in traditional English folk song.
The two additional 16th notes can, again, be a little tricky so start slow and build up to tempo. Before we get to the riff itself, it’s important to make note of time signature used for The House of the Rising Sun as it’s not the traditional 4/4 time. This song is played in 6/8 time, which means there are 6 beats per measure with the 8th note getting the beat. In 6/8 time, the emphasis falls on the 1st and 4th beats, which gives it a waltz feel. 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. As a result, Price gets the majority of the song’s royalties.
The chords for The House of the Rising Sun are based out of the key of A minor, but uses a major IV chord (D) in place of the Dm and a major V chord (E) in place of the Em. Both of these chords are borrowed from the parallel major key of A major. But he still goes and knows that the temptations of the place are like a ball and chain that he is condemned to carry.
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. As a traditional folk song recorded by an electric rock band, it has been described as the "first folk rock hit". Almost every track on Baez’s first album covered traditional folk songs.
The Animals, from the English coal town of Newcastle, changed the gender in the lyrics, and keyboardist Alan Price created the new arrangement. In 1962, Bob Dylan had sung this grim tale of a Southern girl trapped in a New Orleans whorehouse. Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure. Shears does very little promotion, which has kept him secluded from the spotlight. It was a brothel named after Madame Marianne LeSoleil Levant (which means “Rising Sun” in French). If the music sounded almost supernatural, Burdon’s vocal gave the song its terrestrial heart, one rent in two by the loaded dice and lost bets.
The song is often heard in the soundtracks of popular TV shows (The West Wing and Supernatural) and movies (Suicide Squad). Colombian band Los Speakers covered the song under the title "La Casa del Sol Naciente", in their 1965 album of the same name. The single also charted in Australia (number 14), France (number 36), and Italy (number 54). With social commentary songs like Mississippi Goddam, Simone remained dedicated to civil rights and black empowerment throughout her lifetime.
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