The Enduring Legacy of The Animals

Forget about London or even Merseyside… One of the greatest British bands of the 1960s came from Newcastle. Spinning off from the Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo, Eric Burdon joined keyboardist Alan Price, guitarist Hilton Valentine, drummer John Steel and bassist Chas Chandler to become The Animals.

After a few short years, leader Eric Burdon rebranded the group as Eric Burdon and The Animals. They continued for a couple more years, releasing four further albums, but it’s that original 1960s run where they released their biggest and best songs. Below we round up some of the very best of The Animals.

Good Times

“Good Times” (1967), while sharing a name with the Chic song, was a number 20 hit in the UK for Eric Burdon & The Animals. Produced by Tom Wilson (known for his operate with The Velvet Underground, Bob Dylan, and Simon & Garfunkel), the song, a group effort from Burdon, John Weider, Vic Briggs, Danny McCulloch and Barry Jenkins, explores the complexities of enjoying oneself.

I’m Crying

Written by Eric Burdon and Alan Price, “I’m Crying” (1964) was a rollicking bit of Brit blues produced by Mickie Most, reaching the top 10 in the UK and top 20 in the US. Despite its success, the band shifted towards covers for their subsequent singles, but it remains a standout track.

Inside-Looking Out

Another Tom Wilson production, “Inside-Looking Out” was the group’s first single for Decca. Loosely based on a prison work chant and credited to musicologists John and Alan Lomax alongside Eric Burdon and Chas Chandler, it marked the last recording with original drummer John Steel before his replacement by Barry Jenkins.

It’s My Life

“It’s My Life,” written by NYC writers Roger Atkins and Carl D’Errico at the behest of producer Mickie Most, was another top ten UK hit and reached number 23 in the US. Eric Burdon’s vocal style and Dave Rowberry’s organ playing (replacing the departed Alan Price) maintained the band’s signature sound.

San Franciscan Nights

“San Franciscan Nights,” a self-penned track by Burdon, Briggs, Weider, Jenkins, and McCulloch, produced by Tom Wilson, demonstrates the band’s ability to deliver stripped-down arrangements as effectively as their rocking numbers. The song was consciously written as part of the anti-Vietnam War, counterculture movement.

Don’t Bring Me Down

“Don’t Bring Me Down,” written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, reached number 6 in the UK and number 12 in the US. The Animals infused their bluesy style into the song, blending King/Goffin’s romantic sensibilities with their own sound.

Bring It On Home To Me

“Bring It On Home To Me” (1965) was a cover of Sam Cooke’s original 1962 hit, recorded as a tribute following Cooke’s tragic death. It was the last single featuring Alan Price and a soulful, powerful homage to one of their influences.

Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

Originally performed by Nina Simone, The Animals’ 1965 rendition of “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” produced by Mickie Most, added even more power to the song’s soul. Eric Burdon later said, “It was never considered pop material, but it somehow got passed on to us and we fell in love with it immediately.”

We Gotta Secure Out of this Place

“We Gotta Get Out of this Place,” written by Barry and Cynthia Weil, became one of The Animals’ biggest hits and a rock anthem of the 1960s. Initially intended for The Righteous Brothers, Mickie Most secured the song for The Animals after the departure of Alan Price and the integration of Dave Rowberry, achieving number two in the UK and number 13 in the US, and becoming an unofficial anthem for soldiers in Vietnam.

The House of the Rising Sun

“The House of the Rising Sun,” a traditional American folk song, became The Animals’ signature song. They took an old song already recorded by artists like Lead Belly, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan, and created the definitive version, reaching number one on both sides of the Atlantic. There was some dispute over songwriting credit, but the song remains a classic.