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

Table Of Content

• The Origins of “House of the Rising Sun“
• The Animals’ “The House of the Rising Sun” Lyrics Meaning
• Most popular lyric tags
• American Idol’s Emmy Russell Honors Memaw Loretta Lynn With Breathtaking “Coal Miner’s Daughter” Performance
• The Animals’ Version of “The House of the Rising Sun” is the most Successful
• Frijid Pink version
• And Along Came Eric
• The Meaning Behind The Song: House of the Rising Sun by The Doors

The song is sung in the first person and the interpreter narrates his own tragic experience, in an attempt to warn parents and children about the pain that this house can cause. No matter which version you prefer, or even if you do not like the song at all, you can’t help but respect the story of a song that will forever be on radio stations and playlists around the world. The “ball and chain” may mean ‘prison’, but could also be a metaphor for addiction to gambling and booze. However, this meant that only Price received songwriter's royalties for the hit, a fact that has caused bitterness among the other band members ever since.

The Origins of “House of the Rising Sun“

The protagonist’s harrowing journey through this den of iniquity represents a cautionary tale, warning against the perils of indulgence and immorality. The strength of this song lies in the timelessness of its story, whose message makes us reflect and realize that every boy will reach a time in his life when he will be tempted by the lowest vices of humanity. If he is not cautious, he will end up being enslaved by these vices, as happened to the storyteller. In 1964, The Animals recorded the version that became the most famous of all and that is the one most people know today. Eric Burdon said he first heard it sung by Johnny Handle in his hometown of Newcastle, England.

The Animals’ “The House of the Rising Sun” Lyrics Meaning

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That release had no songwriting credit, but the liner notes indicate that Dylan learned this version of the song from Dave Van Ronk. In an interview for the documentary No Direction Home, Van Ronk said that he was intending to record the song and that Dylan copied his version. The lyrics also delve into themes of lost innocence and the consequences of one’s choices. There is a pervasive sense of inevitability throughout the song, as the protagonist seems unable to escape their self-inflicted fate. This timeless theme of human frailty and the pursuit of redemption has made the song relatable to audiences throughout history. The exact origins of “House of the Rising Sun” remain a mystery, as it has been passed down through generations of musicians.

Most popular lyric tags

Eric Burdon heard this song sung in a Northeastern folk club and brought the song to the group as a suggestion. They “electrified” it, added a superb organ solo from Alan Price, and Burdon sang it first in a lower register, then took it up an octave. The whole thing was started by Hilton Valentine’s iconic guitar arpeggio beginning. 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.

And in an era before cars were common and highways were still 25 years away, how did songs like this one manage to spread across the country? Several have researched the topic of “floating songs”, which, much like the songs themselves, has murky and hard-to-trace origins. Like so many folk songs, the House of the Rising Sun‘s true “origins,” along with exactly where — or even what the Rising Sun was have been washed away by time. Georgia was merely 16 when she recorded the song, but was largely mum on where she had learned it. Lomax included the song in the popular Library of Congress album Our Singing Country in 1941.

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It has also made the RIAA’s list of “Songs of the Century” and has earned a Grammy Hall of Fame Award. It is unclear if the House of the Rising Sun is a place which existed as the writer portrays in the song. However, the essence of this song is that children mostly pick up bad habits from the people and neighborhoods in which they grow.

Some notable live versions can be found on The Doors’ live albums and concert recordings. Some notable covers include Riki Maiocchi’s La casa del sole, Muse’s powerful rock version, and the soulful rendition by Haley Reinhart. Each artist brings their own style and interpretation to the song, adding new layers and perspectives to the original story. “House of the Rising Sun” resonates strongly with blues and folk music due to its lyrical themes and melancholic melodies. The song’s introspective narrative and somber ambiance align perfectly with the emotional depth and storytelling aspects prevalent in these genres.

And Along Came Eric

Bob Dylan, The Animals, and Joan Baez are just a few examples of musicians who have put their own unique spin on this timeless folk song. White learned the song from a "white hillbilly singer", who might have been Ashley, in North Carolina in 1923. "The House of the Rising Sun" is a traditional folk song, sometimes called "Rising Sun Blues". Although “The House of the Rising Sun” has a distinct storyline, it is actually based on a folk song that centered on a completely-different character. Moreover ‘the house of the Rising Sun’ in the traditional rendition is considered to be either an actual historical prison or house of working girls. So for instance the reference to the “ball and chain” near the end of the song is largely considered to allude to said penitentiary.

So, there are some interesting references by people who have shed some historical light on the song. Colombian band Los Speakers covered the song under the title "La Casa del Sol Naciente", in their 1965 album of the same name. "House of the Rising Sun" was not included on any of the group's British albums, but it was reissued as a single twice in subsequent decades, charting both times, reaching number 25 in 1972 and number 11 in 1982. Ottolenghi said he had "always been super eager to get our flavours onto people's dinner plates nationwide, not just in London, without having to cook it from scratch every single time".

The "Rising Sun" is a symbol of temptation and downfall, and the narrator wants to warn others not to make the same mistakes they did. The song is a powerful reminder of the consequences of our actions and the importance of making wise choices. The second verse has a message for future generations, telling them not to make the same mistakes. The narrator warns the listener to avoid the "Rising Sun" and to not live a life of sin and misery. The chorus repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the idea that this house has ruined many young women, and the narrator feels included in this group. And another southern song, without a hint of controversy comes from Walker Hayes.

“The House of the Rising Sun” reflects an unpleasant place which has a bad influence on the writer’s life as a boy. The song speaks about picking up bad habits from this house in New Orleans as a young man. The writer describes his mother as a diligent woman who probably wanted him to make the best out of life by working hard and leading a decent life.