In the history of rock and roll music, alongside such luminaries as The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who and The Dave Clark Five, Eric Burdon and the Animals are widely regarded as being among the most influential and important musical acts of the 1960’s. Perhaps the most well- known song recorded by Eric Burdon and the Animals is their version of the classic folk song “House Of The Rising Sun”. Although this song has been recorded and released by many other artists, it is The Animals’ version that fairly defines this song for listeners around the world.
The version of House Of The Rising Sun recorded by these British rockers achieved Number 1 Single status in the US and paved the way for seven more Top 40 hits, which include; Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, We Gotta’ Get Out Of This Place, It’s My Life and Don’t Bring Me Down. Although the Animals disbanded in the mid- 1960’s, charismatic lead vocalist and frontman Eric Burdon subsequently went on to form several other musical aggregations, such as The New Animals, The Eric Burdon Band and Eric Burdon And War. In the 2000’s, Eric Burdon is still constantly touring worldwide and delighting audiences everywhere. Presented here, is a listing of ten of the great songs recorded and released by Eric Burdon and the Animals.
A) House Of The Rising Sun..4:45
This American folk song has been recorded by many artists since the 1930’s, but the version by Eric Burdon and the Animals is perhaps the most well- known and definitive. The heartfelt emotion and world- weary resignation displayed by Eric Burdon’s vocals on this song are guttural and transcendent. His remarkable, soaring vocals on this classic song are as fresh and riveting in 2007, as they were when this song was recorded with the Animals in 1964.
B) We Gotta’ Get Out Of This Place..4:08
Since this song was first released in 1965, it has served as an anthem of sorts, for successive generations of disenfranchised and rebellious listeners. With a large dose of rebellious energy, Eric Burdon conveys the classic line “We gotta’ get outta’ this place, if it’s the last thing we ever do” with a sense of angst and urgency that is palpable and timeless.
C) San Franciscan Nights..3:54
The surreal introduction to this gentle and melodic song intones listeners to “Save up all your bread and fly Trans Love Airways to San Francisco, USA. Perhaps the first widely- known song to sing the praises of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, this Eric Burdon song celebrates the Summer of love in a grand and atmospheric way.
D) Sky Pilot )Part One)..7:27
This Top Forty hit for Eric Burdon and the Animals, from “The Twain Shall Meet” album, was released in 1968 and it still sounds fresh and vital almost forty years later. Generally regarded as an anti- war protest song, this seven- minute epic is about a military chaplain and the realities of war. One of Eric Burdon’s first psychedelic- era songs, this haunting and lingering classic employs sound effects such as; bomber planes, battle sounds, including gunfire and bagpipes. This song is especially popular with many Vietnam veterans.
E) When I Was Young..3:02
As the title implies, this is Eric Burdon’s bold and impassioned declaration and remembrance of how life was when he was growing up. Perhaps Eric’s use of decidedly- unusual rhyming lyrics such as ” I met my first love at thirteen, she was brown and I was pretty green” and ” I smoked my first cigarette at ten, and for girls, I had a bad yen” add to the poignancy of this classic song.
F) Monterey..4:12
Fantastic fuzzed- out guitars and a driving back beat, accentuated by dynamic keyboard flourishes provide a great setting for Eric Burdon’s recitation and observance of the various acts who performed at the ground- breaking Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. A true psychedelic classic.
G) See See Rider..4:04
A 1966 hit single for Eric Burdon and the Animals, this high- energy rocker maintains an impassioned sense of urgency and free- wheeling emotion. Originally released as a single, with “Help Me Girl” on the flip side, the stripped- down, raw rythym and blues sound of this song, is reminiscent of Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, and later, Bruce Springsteen. Although this song has been recorded by many other artists, Eric Burdon and the Animals’ version is perhaps the most vital. Upon hearing this song, it is not uncommon for listeners to think of the 1970 Joe Namath / Ann Margret biker film titled “CC Rider and Company”.
H) River Deep, Mountain High..7:23..
Although this declaration- of- love song has been recorded by many other artists, Eric Burdon and the Animals’ version is one of the most moving and dynamic. Sounding as fresh and vital in 2007, as it did when they first recorded it in 1968, this song features the guitar work of Andy Summers, future member of The Police, who, at one time, was a member of the Animals.
I) Coloured Rain..9:40
This long and beautifully- psychedelic song from 1968, is from the “Love Is” album, as is River Deep, Mountain High. Also featuring Andy Somers (later to become Andy Summers) and Zoot Money, this great song is one of Eric Burdon’s first forays into lengthy, artsy- type rock music. When Eric Burdon sings “I want you to take off all your clothes, babe, I want you to walk out of my door”, the emotion and scenario is real and easy to visualize.
J) I’m Crying..5:01
Eric is grieving the loss of a significant other in this up- tempo expression of heartfelt- longing. Accentuated by top- rate organ playing and dynamic harmonies, this song articulates the sound of Eric Burdon and the Animals at their best.
