For three weeks in 1964, a rock band topped the charts with an unusually long hit that brought a new sound to listeners and caused headaches for DJs.
On September 5, 1964, The Animals began a three-week run at the top spot of the Billboard charts with the song “House of the Rising Sun,” reports the website On This Day in Music. The song was unique for its length, which clocked in at over four minutes, instead of the typical 3-minute runtime for singles.
The U.S. version was shortened to less than three minutes by cutting a verse and an instrumental section so DJs could play it on their radio stations. However, in the United Kingdom, the song was left intact and became the first British single to hit number one that was over four minutes long (per The Evening Chronicle).
Vox explained that for songs to be played on the radio, they typically had to be shorter in length. In the 60s, singles played a key role in an artist’s popularity, as many fans collected 45s before diving into full albums.
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“House of the Rising Sun” was unique in that while it was a traditional folk ballad, The Animals’ version blended storytelling with an electric rock edge. It was unique for being a moody, somber, and cinematic song, and long!
‘House of the Rising Sun’ wasn’t a new song
The Animals’ breakthrough hit wasn’t an original song. Studs Terkel Radio Archive shared an interview with the band’s lead vocalist, Eric Burdon, from 1967, where he explained how he came to know and love the tune.
“I used to go to a jazz club when I was about fourteen, fifteen, and I first heard it played by English musicians. I think the first time I ever remember hearing it by an American was Josh White,” he revealed.
Burdon claims that The Animals’ version of “House of the Rising Sun” has its roots in folk music, even though it was played with electric instruments. He declared, “I don’t care whether it’s performed with electronic amplified instruments or with a Spanish guitar without any amplifier; it’s folk music.”
The singer and songwriter told Professor of Rock that when The Animals were on tour with Chuck Berry, the band “knew that every one of the British bands would be trying to out-rock” the music pioneer. Burdon added that he was “looking for something for their little spot before Chuck that would be meaningful, different, and deep,” and that’s where “Rising Sun” came in.
Burdon interprets the lyrics as “nightlife, hanging around, drinking, and creeping around in brothels and all that.” He added that changing the perspective from the song’s original female perspective to a male one helped him relate to the timeless lyrics.
Bob Dylan went electric after hearing the tune
Bob Dylan was reportedly so influenced by this Animals track that it led him to add electric instruments to his music after years of playing acoustic. Speaking to Professor of Rock, Eric Burdon discussed Dylan’s link to the song.
“Bob came out with a definitive version. With a lot more lyrics in it, than I ever knew existed,” he explained.
However, Dylan’s version was not without controversy. He reportedly heard an arrangement of “House of the Rising Sun” created by Dave Van Ronk while playing bars in NYC’s Greenwich Village, and didn’t ask permission to use Ronk’s version before putting it on his debut album, Bob Dylan, reported Far Out Magazine.
Gene Popa, author of British Invasion ’64—The Year That Changed Rock & Roll Forever, elaborated on Dylan’s connection with The Animals on the Booked on Rock Podcast. “What really pushed Dylan into rock n’ roll were The Animals,” Popa explained.
“When he heard the Animals ‘House of the Rising Sun,’ Dylan said, ‘I realized then and there, this stuff can be electrified.’ And he plunged right into adding electric guitars and organs to his music.”
The Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun” is widely regarded as a key moment in the development of folk-rock. The song received a Grammy Hall of Fame award in 1999.
This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 5, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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