Song of the day for September 5, 2024

House Of The Rising Sun by The Animals is today’s featured song.

On this day in 1964, The Animals began a three-week run at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with their breakthrough hit, “House Of The Rising Sun.” The traditional folk song was transformed by the British band, who created a haunting, electric rock track. Initially, the Animals chose to cover the tune as a closer for their live act, to help them stand out from other bands in the scene. The song quickly became a favorite – so much so that producer Mickie Most decided that it had the potential to be a hit, despite its unusual sound for the era. Considered to be the first folk-rock hit, the song was unlike anything anyone had heard before on the US or UK airwaves. The song would influence a range of artists, even inspiring the likes of Bob Dylan to go electric.