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 - ...)
Dey Won't
Eric Burdon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've seen the queens
I've seen them riding in a big limousine
I've heard them talking
About they're gonna save the world
But dey don't
I've seen them up in their ivory towers
For hours and hours
I knew they're talking Jane Mansfield
But dey don't
I've seen the chickies up in Beverly Hills
I've seeen them talking all their little bitty pills
I've heard them talking 'bout they're gonna get it on
But dey don't
No dey won't, dey won't
Dey don't know who they're screwing
No dey don't, dey don't
Dey don't knoe what they're doing
No dey don't, dey don't
Dey don't know when they're praying
And dey don't know when they're going
And dey don't know when they're saying
I've seen the man and I've seen his land
I've heard him talking 'bout he's gonna move the stand
He wears a pretty hat but he don't understand
No he don't
Yeah, I've seen them up at the BTU
And I've heard them talking in their petty little way
And I've heard them talking how they're
Gonna save our youth
But dey don't
No, dey don't
I've seen them up in the singles bars
I've seen them grooving in their big flashy cars
Telling all the little girls they're gonna make them stars
But dey won't
They talk about it all day long, but
You never get it on
Never get it on
Never get it on
Hey baby, how are you doin'
Hey, come here a minute
Hey, hey, let mr talk to you for a while
Oh, you won't
You mean you can't
The Eric Burdon song "Dey Won't" is a critique of those in power who talk a big game about making the world a better place, but fail to follow through with real action. Burdon describes seeing kings and queens riding in limousines, discussing how they're going to save the world, but ultimately doing nothing to make a difference. He also notes the disconnect between the wealthy elite and the common people, waiting in lobbies for hours on end while those in power talk about trivial matters like Jane Mansfield. Similarly, Burdon observes the lifestyle of the rich and famous in Beverly Hills, who talk about getting it on and making people stars, but never actually follow through with their promises. The song's chorus emphasizes this theme, repeating "Dey don't, dey won't" to emphasize the lack of action from those who claim to care about important issues.
Burdon's lyrics reflect a disillusionment with those in power who use their influence for personal gain rather than for the betterment of society. The song's criticism is not limited to politicians and celebrities but extends to anyone who talks about making the world a better place without taking actual action. Burdon's lyrics suggest that those in power are disconnected from those they are meant to serve and are more interested in self-promotion than real change.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen the kings
I have seen those in positions of authority
I've seen the queens
I have seen females in positions of authority
I've seen them riding in a big limousine
I have seen them being driven around in grand vehicles
I've heard them talking
I have heard them speaking
About they're gonna save the world
They claim they will save the world from its problems
But dey don't
But they never follow through with their grand claims
I've seen them up in their ivory towers
I have seen them living in luxury and seclusion
I've waited in the lobbies
I have had to wait for them in reception areas
For hours and hours
For an extended length of time
I knew they're talking Jane Mansfield
I heard them discussing irrelevant or unimportant topics
But dey don't
But they never actually take action on important issues
I've seen the chickies up in Beverly Hills
I have seen attractive young women in affluent areas
I've seeen them talking all their little bitty pills
I have seen them discussing their drug use
I've heard them talking 'bout they're gonna get it on
I have heard them talking about their sexual desires
No dey won't, dey won't
No, they will not follow through on their talk
Dey don't know who they're screwing
They do not understand the negative consequences of their actions
Dey don't knoe what they're doing
They lack direction or understanding of their actions
Dey don't know when they're praying
They lack sincerity or understanding when engaging in religious activity
And dey don't know when they're going
They lack direction or purpose in life
And dey don't know when they're saying
They lack awareness or consideration of their words
I've seen the man and I've seen his land
I have seen a wealthy man and his property
I've heard him talking 'bout he's gonna move the stand
I have heard him talking about making changes
He wears a pretty hat but he don't understand
He appears impressive, but actually lacks understanding
Yeah, I've seen them up at the BTU
I have seen them at a university or institute
And I've heard them talking in their petty little way
I have heard them bickering or gossiping
And I've heard them talking how they're
I have heard them discussing how they plan to
Gonna save our youth
Save the younger generation
But dey don't
But they never take any real action towards youth empowerment
No, dey don't
No, they never follow through with their claims
I've seen them up in the singles bars
I have seen them in establishments for socializing and dating
I've seen them grooving in their big flashy cars
I have seen them showing off their ostentatious vehicles
Telling all the little girls they're gonna make them stars
They claim to offer success to younger women
But dey won't
But they will not actually help these women achieve their goals
They talk about it all day long, but
They discuss this topic continuously, but
You never get it on
They never actually take action
Hey baby, how are you doin'
They engage in casual conversation with women
Hey, come here a minute
They invite women to approach them
Hey, hey, let mr talk to you for a while
They attempt to prolong their interaction with women
Oh, you won't
The women will not comply with their advances
You mean you can't
The women are not interested in engaging with them
Contributed by Taylor H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.