Burdon left also this band and run back to stardome in the mid-70s with The Eric Burdon Band producing heavy rocking songs. He went on forming short-living groups such as Eric Burdon's Fire Dept. in 1980, another Eric Burdon Band in 1981, especially for a motion picture-starring role in Comeback for which he made the soundtrack and a reunion band with The Animals in 1983 to get back to the Mainstream Charts. The 1980s saw Burdon in genres such as heavy metal, new wave, pop, reggae, disco, blues, rock and roll, punk, funk and rap. He also published his album "I Used To Be An Animal" as well as his autobiography with the same title. He went on touring in stadiums as well as in small clubs around the world.
In 1990 he formed the Eric Burdon & Robby Krieger Band who toured mainly in America. They recorded some demo tapes, but never released them. In 1991 he toured the world again as Eric Burdon & Brian Auger Band. They released a double-live album, "Access All Areas" in 1993, showing versions of Burdon's old hits in new musical outfits, once again as a blues, metal, reggae and fusion performer.
In 1994 they got disbanded, Burdon got introduced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where he performed 1995 with Bon Jovi and created a new group of high-professional musicians, Eric Burdon's i Band. They disbanded in 1998 and he formed Eric Burdon & The New Animals. In 2003 they changed their name in Eric Burdon & The Animals, after some band changes. In 2004 the long awaited studio-album "My Secret Life" was released and brought him back into the mainstream charts and in late 2005 the live album "Athens Traffic Live" was released.
Burdon formed a new band-line-up, also touring as Eric Burdon & The Animals. In January 2006 he released "Soul of a Man", with good critics worldwide. He wanted to create an album who is dedicated to the blues and rnb. Since then he toured the world without a break, always looking for new material, performing with other famous musicians.
Recently, Burdon wrote a screenplay called "Twisted Oliver" and is working on a new studio album. He turned down tours with War and Linkin Park in the last year, but it seems that the new year is bringing many surprises.
Many of his bands also used elements of speed metal, thrash metal, grindcore and death metal.
He's definitely one of the most important people in music history, while recording the first #1 hit with a length more than four minutes, "House of the Rising Sun", the most popular anti-vietnam song "We Gotta Get out of this Place", the first song recorded in stereo, "Sky Pilot" and the first latin rap in pop music, "Spill the Wine". His self-written rock song "Year of the Guru" (1968) proves that he created the first rap rock-song. His political environment can be seen in his multi-racial project with the band War from late 1969 to early 1971. In 2008 he reunited with the band at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Without his experimental vocals, hip hop, rap, heavy metal, rock, pop and rnb would have a completely different face.
His singing style and music also influenced artists such as Joe Cocker, The Doors, Deep Purple, The Brute Chorus, Ted Nugent, Janis Joplin, The Sonics, Steppenwolf, Chester Bennington, Bruce Springsteen, The Black Crowes, Tom Petty, The White Stripes, Ryan Adams, John Mellencamp, The Compulsive Gamblers, The Vines, Julian Thome, The Hives, MC5 and many more.
In November 2008 the magazine Rolling Stone ranked him #57 on their list of the Best Singers of all Times.
Formations:
The Animals & Sonny Boy Williamson (December 30, 1963)
The Animals (1964 - September 1966, 1976, 1983/84)
Eric Burdon & The Animals (1967 - 1968)
Eric Burdon & War (1969 - 1971)
Eric Burdon & Jimmy Witherspoon (1971)
The Eric Burdon Band (1973 - 1975)
Eric Burdon's Fire Department (1980)
Eric Burdon, Robbie Krieger & Friends (1990)
Eric Burdon & Brian Auger Band (1991 - 1993)
Eric Burdon's I Band (1995 - 1998)
Eric Burdon & The New Animals (1999 - 2002)
Eric Burdon (1976 - ...)
Can't Kill The Boogieman
Eric Burdon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Art school we wore a gang sweatshirt
Guess what it said
My political stance was to get people to dance
And still stand by it today
John Lee Hooker for president
When I was 25 and so full of life
In a GTO we did go into the fiery heart of a ghetto
land
Living in a land where a man is no man
Until he's been to hell and back
One thing you've got to understand
You can't kill the boogieman
They're placing bets on John but don't listen
I tell everybody as long as you're around
The blues will always be living
Can't kill the boogieman
Can't kill the boogieman
Can't kill the boogieman No
Lord his ever shaking hand a buzz around the room
The power of a serpent in his finger
Relax release and let your mind drift away
You've got to be saved
Boogie the night away
Can't kill the boogieman
You know what they're talking about John
Your birthday I get to play
I tell everybody as long as you're around
The blues will be living that's what's coming down
Can't kill the boogieman
So I got down the road and that's my tale
Nobody knows me but they all know John
Healing hand one thing you've got to understand
Can't kill the boogieman
Boogie boogie all night long
All night blues and this is what the boogie can do for
you
Can't kill the boogieman
(Eric Burdon)
In Eric Burdon's song "Can't Kill The Boogieman," he tells the story of his younger days as a student in the UK, when he was part of a gang and wore sweatshirts with political statements. He explains his political stance in those days, that he believed in getting people to dance instead of just protesting. He mentions John Lee Hooker, a legendary blues musician, whom he idolized, and how they once drove to a ghetto to experience the cultural and musical richness there. The song also emphasizes on the power of the blues as a genre and how it will never die.
The song seems to be Burdon's tribute to John Lee Hooker, whose influence on him has been profound. The lyrics reflect an admiration for Hooker's art and his approach to life. The boogieman here refers to the blues, which has been identified with Hooker throughout his career. Burdon acknowledges the notion that the blues can be depressing and gloomy, but it is also therapeutic and has healing powers that can help people feel better.
Overall, "Can't Kill The Boogieman" is a fun and upbeat song that celebrates the blues and the remarkable musicians who have contributed to the genre over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Crazy lazy days back in The UK
Recollection of past memories from UK
Art school we wore a gang sweatshirt
Narrating an instance from art school days when they wore sweatshirts with a rebellious slogan for artistic and political expression
Guess what it said
Asking the listener to guess the slogan on their sweatshirt
My political stance was to get people to dance
Desire to promote political and artistic expression through dance
And still stand by it today
Belief in the importance of artistic-political expression through dance even today
John Lee Hooker for president
Expressing admiration and support for John Lee Hooker and his art
When I was 25 and so full of life
Engaging in nostalgia and starting to narrate past incidents
John Lee took me by the hand
Narrating an incident where John Lee Hooker encouraged him and showed him the way
In a GTO we did go into the fiery heart of a ghetto land
Narrating an experience where they both went into the ghetto to explore the culture and the music, despite the danger involved
Living in a land where a man is no man
Describing the harsh reality of the ghetto where people are not recognized as humans until they face hardship and struggle
Until he's been to hell and back
The narrative of needing to go through hardship to gain respect and legitimacy
One thing you've got to understand
Standing by the claim that the boogieman cannot be killed
You can't kill the boogieman
Repeating the idea that the boogieman is unbeatable
They're placing bets on John but don't listen
Expressing skepticism towards people who bet or doubt John Lee Hooker's talent and art
I tell everybody as long as you're around
Believing that as long as John is alive, the blues will continue to thrive
The blues will always be living
Belief in the permanent existence of blues music genre
Can't kill the boogieman
Repeating the idea that the boogieman is unbeatable
Lord his ever shaking hand a buzz around the room
Describing John Lee Hooker's powerful presence and talent
The power of a serpent in his finger
Expressing Hooker's prowess as a skilled musician
Relax release and let your mind drift away
Encouraging the listener to momentarily escape their worries through music
You've got to be saved
Believing that salvation can be achieved through boogie music
Boogie the night away
Promoting celebration and dancing through boogie music
You know what they're talking about John
Awareness of the conversations and rumors surrounding John Lee Hooker and his art
Your birthday I get to play
Celebrating John Lee Hooker's birthday with music
That's what's coming down
Expressing certainty that the blues will continue to trend and flourish
So I got down the road and that's my tale
Concluding the story and bringing it back to the present
Nobody knows me but they all know John
Acknowledging the fame and appreciation that John Lee Hooker has; In comparison, Eric Burdon being unknown
Healing hand one thing you've got to understand
Acknowledge John Lee Hooker's healing and therapeutic ability through music
Boogie boogie all night long
Repeating the call to dance and celebrate through boogie music
All night blues and this is what the boogie can do for you
Describing the positive effects of boogie music on the mind and body
Can't kill the boogieman
Repeating the idea that the boogieman is unbeatable
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: ERIC BURDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind