The Meaning Behind The Song: House of the Rising Sun by The Doors

Table Of Content

• The Meaning Behind The Song: House of the Rising Sun by Leadbelly
• "The House of the Rising Sun" Lyrics (The Animals Version)
• Q: What other artists have covered House of the Rising Sun?
• The Meaning Behind The Song: House of the Rising Sun by The Doors
• The House of the Rising Sun (Cover) - Single
• Behind the Album: Neil Young’s Polarizing ‘Trans’ and the Rift It Caused with His Record Label
• + The House Of The Rising Sun lyrics +

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. Apart from The Doors, several notable artists have covered House of the Rising Sun.

The Meaning Behind The Song: House of the Rising Sun by Leadbelly

The Rising Sun in the song serves as a metaphorical representation of a place of corruption and moral decay. It symbolizes the protagonist’s descent into a life of vice and self-destruction. The Rising Sun can also be seen as a warning, showcasing the consequences of one’s actions and the potential for redemption. "House of the Rising Sun" became the Animals' signature song and remains one of the most iconic they have ever released. 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.

"The House of the Rising Sun" Lyrics (The Animals Version)

So, we shouldn’t be surprised to find references to ‘The Rising Sun.’ It is a common name for an English pub even today. Pubs of two to three hundred years ago were often “houses of ill-repute.” The song was likely carried to America by immigrants who performed it there, from whence local names and traditions became intertwined. 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.

Q: What other artists have covered House of the Rising Sun?

While deeply rooted in American folk music, “House of the Rising Sun” has transcended its origins and influenced various music genres. Its haunting melody and timeless appeal have inspired artists in rock, blues, and even heavy metal to incorporate or reinterpret elements of the song in their own works. Although the date and author of the song are unknown, some musicologists have said that it resembled ballads of the 16th century, and could very easily have derived from one of that time.

The Meaning Behind “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals

In this version, Parton sings from the perspective of a woman who works as a sex worker at the house of the rising sun and cautions other women about following in her footsteps. Parton's version reached No. 14 on the Country charts and crossed over to the Pop Charts, landing at No. 77 on the Hot 100 and No. 33 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Parton also performed the song on an episode of her variety show, Dolly, in New Orleans. As records became more popular, so did recordings of the House of the Rising Sun. Instead of chance hearing-and-remembering by hand fulls of troubadours, records were common and fairly easy to come by.

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House of the Rising Sun played a significant role in establishing The Doors as one of the leading bands of their time. 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. 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 House of the Rising Sun (Cover) - Single

The single also charted in Australia (number 14), France (number 36), and Italy (number 54). There is a house in New Orleans, it's called the Rising SunIt's been the ruin of many poor girlGreat God, and I for one. A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Behind the Album: Neil Young’s Polarizing ‘Trans’ and the Rift It Caused with His Record Label

Here, we catch a glimpse of the troubled life the narrator has experienced, tainted by his father’s vices and the hardships of his childhood. 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. 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 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 Doors’ rendition of House of the Rising Sun took the original folk song and transformed it into a psychedelic rock masterpiece.

Perhaps this mystery, along with the somewhat anonymous lyrics and spooky minor chords, is part of what has continued to intrigue so many thousands and millions over the years. The Animals may have given "The House of the Rising Sun" international fame, but the song's life started long before Eric Burdon first heard it performed by singer Johnny Handle in a Newcastle, England club. In fact, no one definitively knows where the song came from or who wrote it, but historians do know it began as a traditional folk song. Some theorize that a form of the song originated as an English folk song and slowly made its way to America, but regardless of where it came from, it started gaining popularity in the Appalachian region of the US. 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.

Originally released by the British rock band The Animals in 1964, “The House Of The Rising Sun” quickly captured the hearts of many music lovers around the world. However, what makes this song truly exceptional is its rich history and the profound emotions it evokes through its lyrics. 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.

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. Beyond its presence in films and TV shows, “House of the Rising Sun” has become a staple in popular culture. Its use in commercials, video games, and even as a part of political campaigns attests to its widespread recognition and status as a cultural touchstone. 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. 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. He is tempted not to go but hasn’t got the willpower to say no, almost like he has given up on himself. In that version, you will find a similar tune and words, with Lowestoft, a seaside town in the UK, replacing New Orleans.