: While the song is most associated with The Animals, it is a traditional American folk ballad. Earlier versions were recorded by legends like Lead Belly, Woody Guthrie, and Nina Simone—whose version is the one Eric Burdon reportedly first heard.
: The band had perfected the arrangement on the road. Producer Mickie Most initially hesitated to record it because of its length (nearly 4.5 minutes), but the overwhelming audience reaction convinced him it was a hit. The Animals – House Of The Rising Sun
The 1964 hit by The Animals is widely considered the first folk-rock hit , famously recorded in just one take during a break while on tour with Chuck Berry. The Story Behind the Song : While the song is most associated with