I have mentioned the 'Most of The Animals' before, the wonderful album by the band that my brother brought home one day and it changed my life in terms of getting my roots in R'n'B, blues and indeed as is hinted here, folk music too and the links between. But this band were simply perfect in every thing they did especially on this album. This song haunted me for years and that it was about a British brothel makes it all the more interesting (sic) that it should be re-wrotten into a ballad about New Orleans is truly fascinating but its' origins fascinate me. This IS Rhythm and Blues music!

On this day in music history: September 5, 1964 - “House Of The Rising Sun” by The Animals hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 3 weeks. Written by Traditional: Arranged by Alan Price, it is the first and biggest hit for the Newcastle, UK based band. The song is a remake of a folk ballad (the original writer is unknown) that is believed to date back to eighteenth century England. British immigrants brought the song to America where its lyrics about being set in New Orleans were incorporated into the song. The song becomes a part of many folk musicians repertoires with versions recorded by Woody Guthrie, Glenn Yarborough, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan. Its hit potential is realized after the enthusiastic response it receives when The Animals play it live while touring the UK as Chuck Berry’s opening act. The band take a day off the tour, flying down to London from Liverpool to cut the track. Recorded at Kingsway Studios (later renamed De Lane Lea Studios) in London in just one take on May 18, 1964. The song is given a stunning and dramatic re-arrangement (credited to keyboardist Alan Price, but actually all of the members participated in its creation) which turns it into an instant classic. Clocking in at four and a half minutes, it is initially considered too long for radio airplay and the bands UK label (EMI Records’ Columbia label) are hesitant to release it as a single. Producer Mickie Most convinces them to issue it, and the record takes off immediately. An edited version (clocking in at 2:58) is released by MGM Records when it is picked up for US release. Entering the Hot 100 at #60 on August 8, 1964, it vaults to the top of the chart just four weeks later. Regarded by many as the definitive recording of the song, “Sun” is inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 1999. “House Of The Rising Sun” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.