'The House of the Rising Sun': The Hit Rock Song With Folk Origins

Table Of Content

• The Meaning Behind The Song: House of the Rising Sun by The Doors
• What makes Leadbelly’s version of “House of the Rising Sun” special?
• The Meaning Behind The Song: House of the Rising Sun (In New Orleans) by Leadbelly
• 'House of the Rising Sun': The Appalachian Folk Origins of the Rock Classic
• The Many Lives of the Well-Traveled “The Tide Is High” by Blondie
• Q: Who wrote the original version of House of the Rising Sun?

But it’s hard to imagine that anybody will ever again inhabit that doomed soul at the epicenter of the tale quite as well. There are also further unconfirmed implications of “The Rising Sun” being related to other folk songs, one of which, is the folk song “Matty Groves”. The song was first collected in Appalachia in the 1930s, but probably has its roots in traditional English folk song.

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

Musicologists say that it is certainly based on the broadside ballad tradition; a type of ballad which differentiated from traditional ones. They were popular between the 16th and the 19th century and unlike the traditional ballads, which were more epic in nature, they spoke of love, religion, legends, and wonders, and some were even drinking songs. The ‘broadsheet’ contained the lyrics of the song, along with the name of some popular tune that would match with the lyrics. Yes, “House of the Rising Sun” has been translated into various languages, allowing it to reach a global audience. The song’s universal themes and captivating melody have made it a favorite for musicians and listeners around the world. His heartfelt and soulful interpretation of “House of the Rising Sun” cemented the song’s place in American music history.

What makes Leadbelly’s version of “House of the Rising Sun” special?

'The House of the Rising Sun': The Hit Rock Song With Folk Origins - Wide Open Country

'The House of the Rising Sun': The Hit Rock Song With Folk Origins.

Posted: Fri, 29 Jul 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Spend your life in sin and misery, in the house of the rising sun,” serve as a solemn plea from the narrator to warn others against following his path. He advises future generations to avoid the pitfalls that have caused him so much pain and suffering. The Evanescence frontwoman on the songs that have shifted meaning and her foray into kids' music. "Closing Time" by Semisonic was written by the lead singer when his wife was pregnant. Colombian band Los Speakers covered the song under the title "La Casa del Sol Naciente", in their 1965 album of the same name. In 2014, Five Finger Death Punch released a cover version for their album The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 2.

The Meaning Behind The Song: House of the Rising Sun (In New Orleans) by Leadbelly

The repetition of these words reinforces the cyclical nature of life, suggesting that the house itself symbolizes a continuous, inescapable cycle of ruin for those who find themselves trapped within its walls. Many have sung “House of the Rising Sun” before Eric Burdon took it on with the Animals, and many will sing it in the future. Its psychological insight and philosophical meaning are all too relevant for this song to be anything but timeless.

Little did I know that this haunting melody would leave an everlasting impression on my soul. 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.

His emotive delivery and deep understanding of the song’s narrative brought a new level of authenticity to the lyrics, making his version a standout amongst others. Some believe that the song was brought to the United States by English and Scottish settlers, who then incorporated elements from African-American spirituals. Others speculate that it originated from a British ballad that transformed over time. An interview with Eric Burdon revealed that he first heard the song in a club in Newcastle, England, where it was sung by the Northumbrian folk singer Johnny Handle. The Animals were on tour with Chuck Berry and chose it because they wanted something distinctive to sing. The Kentucky folk singer Jean Ritchie sang a different traditional version of the song to Lomax in 1949, which can be heard online courtesy of the Alan Lomax archive.

Q: Who wrote the original version of House of the Rising Sun?

Leadbelly’s distinct vocals and masterful guitar playing added depth and emotion to the lyrics, making the song resonate with listeners on a profound level. 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. The Doors’ rendition of House of the Rising Sun took the original folk song and transformed it into a psychedelic rock masterpiece.

Parton also performed the song on an episode of her variety show, Dolly, in New Orleans. Its origins may be unclear, but its enduring popularity and widespread adaptations have solidified its place within the folk music genre. 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.

According to Burdon, this was simply because there was insufficient room to name all five band members on the record label, and Alan Price's first name was first alphabetically. He was nonetheless now a believer and declared it a single at its full length, saying "We're in a microgroove world now, we will release it". The performance takes off with Burdon's lead vocal, which has been variously described as "howling", "soulful", and as "...deep and gravelly as the north-east English coal town of Newcastle that spawned him". Everything was going fine and, "Hey, would it be okay for me to record your arrangement of 'House of the Rising Sun?'" he asked. In his 1941 songbook Our Singing Country, Lomax credits the song to Georgia Turner, using Martin's extra lyrics to "complete" the song.

While the song itself is rooted in the narrative of a specific place and time, its themes resonate with listeners across generations. It serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us to be aware of the choices we make and their potential consequences. The House of the Rising Sun represents the choices and actions that can lead to the ruin of many.

Parton has occasionally performed the song live, including on her 1987–88 television show, in an episode taped in New Orleans. The song became a hit in the '60s and continues to be recognizable even to casual music fans to this day. "The House of the Rising Sun" has been covered many times since The Animals' version by artists including Frijid Pink, Five Finger Death Punch, and notably, Dolly Parton. 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.

Burdon brought it into the Animals, who electrified the song for their 1964 self-titled debut album. Hilton Valentine played the stoic arpeggiated guitar part that foundations the song, while Alan Price tore into the organ solo as if trying to free every tortured soul trapped in this sinister place. “House of the Rising Sun” continues to resonate with listeners today due to its powerful storytelling and universal themes. Its exploration of temptation, regret, and the consequences of one’s choices reiterates the timeless nature of human experiences, ensuring its relevance for generations to come.

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. Apart from The Doors, several notable artists have covered House of the Rising Sun. One of the most well-known versions is by the British rock band The Animals, who had a major hit with their 1964 rendition. Other artists who have covered the song include Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and Dolly Parton. 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.