It is always good to know where these melodies come from and also what their lyrics mean. The 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. I used to think they were talking about drugs, now I see it was 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 to this song? I guess it depends on who you ask. Definitely, the song tells the story of a boy led to a life of misery in a house of prostitution or gambling 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 earliest 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. With the evolution of folk music in the 1940s and 1950s, the song went through numerous incarnations, by 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 classic from the 70s and also has a nice progression for strumming and finger playing. 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 with them and see what 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
See how many plays this song has:
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! – LadyD