It’s always good to know where these melodies come from and also what their lyrics mean. House of the Rising Sun is a popular song from the United States. Occasionally called Rising Sun Blues, it tells of a life gone wrong in New Orleans. Before I thought they were talking about drugs, now I see that they were just gambling. Depending on the version, the song can be sung from the perspective of a woman or a man.
However, the origins of the songs are somewhat curious. Was there ever a place like this in New Orleans that inspired the lyrics of this song? I guess it depends who you ask. The song definitely tells the story of a boy led to a life of misery in a whorehouse or gambling house in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Two of the best-known renditions of the song are by the English group The Animals in 1964, which was a number-one hit in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The first recorded version dates from 1932 by Clarence (Tom) Ashley as Rising Sun Blues, and was recorded again in 1934 by The Callahan Brothers as Rounders Luck. As folk music evolved in the 1940s and 1950s, the song went through numerous incarnations, at the hands of such notable singers as Josh White, Huddie (Leadbelly) Ledbetter, Pete Seeger, and Woodie Guthrie. As the 1960s progressed, both Joan Baez and Bob Dylan attempted to record the song.
This ’70s classic also has a nice progression for strumming and fingerpicking. On the piano, you can arpeggiate the chords.
In this song, it’s easy to find those low notes for each chord. You can also do some variations on those bass lines. Play around with them and see which one suits you best.
l Am C l DF l Am C l EE l
l Am C l DF l Am E l Am Am l
Look how many views of this song:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pRV9QCXLtHQ
A staple of classic rock and oldies radio stations, the song, House of the Rising Sun, is a staple of classic rock and oldies radio stations, no doubt. Now is your time to play it! – Mrs. D.
