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 - ...)
Inside
Eric Burdon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sell my time and do the best I can
I wasn't boss this around in me
But I don't want your sympathy, yeah
Oh baby, oh baby, I just need your tender lovin'
To keep me sane in this burnin' oven
When my time is up, be my reaper
Like Adam's work on God's green earth
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, baby baby baby c'mon c'mon c'mon, yeah
Ice cold waters runnin' in my brain
And they drag me back to work again
Pains and blisters on my minds and my hands
From living daily with those canvas bags
Thoughts of freedom their drivin' me wild
And I'll by happy like a new born child
We'll be together, girl, you wait and see
No more walls to keep your love from me
Yeah, can't you feel my love
Baby, baby, need you, squeeze you,
Nobody but, nobody but, you girl, I love you, need you
All right
I said everything's gonna be all right
And if you don't believe what I say
Just listen baby and I'll tell you
Can't you feel my love
Can't you see my skill
Can't you yell my love
It's getting louder
It's getting louder
A little closer, yeah
I said baby, I need you, c'mon, squeeze, please
Lord, I love you, I need you, yeah
Yeah, right by my side
I need you here by my side
But I can't help it baby
But I'll be home soon
I'll be home soon, yeah
All right
Whoa!!!
In the opening verse of Eric Burdon's song "Inside" the singer is feeling lonely and broken. He is selling his time but is not in a position of power for himself. However, he does not want anyone's sympathy. He only desires for his lover's tender love that would keep him comfortable in this burning oven. He requests his lover to be his reaper when his time comes to an end. He compares himself to Adam's life on God's earth, where ultimately everyone's time will come to an end. He requests his lover to be the one to bring him to the end of his life.
In the second verse, the singer seems to be a part of the working class. His mind is filled with the thought of freedom from the struggles of life. He dreams of being with his lover and being happy, just like a newborn child. He also shares his admiration and love for her. He tries to assure her that everything will be okay, and soon they will be together.
Line by Line Meaning
Sittin' here lonely like a broken man
Feeling isolated and defeated
Sell my time and do the best I can
Working hard and giving it all
I wasn't boss this around in me
Feeling helpless and not in control
But I don't want your sympathy, yeah
Not seeking pity from others
Oh baby, oh baby, I just need your tender lovin'
Craving affection and care from someone dear
To keep me sane in this burnin' oven
Trying to maintain composure amidst a challenging situation
When my time is up, be my reaper
Accepting the inevitability of death
Like Adam's work on God's green earth
Comparing one's life to the biblical story of creation
My reaper, my reaper baby, yeah me is my reaper, yeah
Accepting responsibility for one's destiny
Ice cold waters runnin' in my brain
Feeling mentally numb and drained
And they drag me back to work again
Feeling trapped in a cycle of labor
Pains and blisters on my minds and my hands
Suffering physically and mentally from work
From living daily with those canvas bags
Referencing the experience of a laborer carrying heavy loads
Thoughts of freedom their drivin' me wild
Dreaming of liberation and release from the current situation
And I'll by happy like a new born child
Anticipating joy and relief
We'll be together, girl, you wait and see
Looking forward to a better future with a loved one
No more walls to keep your love from me
Breaking down barriers in a relationship
Yeah, can't you feel my love
Expressing deep affection for someone
Baby, baby, need you, squeeze you
Yearning for intimacy and contact
Nobody but, nobody but, you girl, I love you, need you
Affirming the exclusivity of the relationship
All right
Feeling positive about the future
I said everything's gonna be all right
Having hope and optimism
And if you don't believe what I say
Encouraging others to have faith
Just listen baby and I'll tell you
Reassuring someone with words
Can't you feel my love
Reiterating affection
Can't you see my skill
Asserting one's talent and ability
Can't you yell my love
Declaring love loudly
It's getting louder
Passion and intensity increasing
It's getting louder
Passion and intensity increasing
A little closer, yeah
Becoming more intimate
I said baby, I need you, c'mon, squeeze, please
Requesting attention and affection
Lord, I love you, I need you, yeah
Expressing devotion and dependence on a higher power
Yeah, right by my side
Wanting someone close
I need you here by my side
Reiterating the need for companionship
But I can't help it baby
Feeling powerless in the current situation
But I'll be home soon
Looking forward to being in a better place
I'll be home soon, yeah
Anticipating a return home
All right
Feeling positive about the future
Whoa!!!
Expressing excitement or surprise
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALAN LOMAX, BODIE CHANDLER, BRYAN JAMES CHANDLER, ERIC VICTOR BURDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nothingisrealnothingtogeth6833
Eric Burdon had to be the best vocalist/front man of any 60's British invasion band. He could hit those high notes, and low notes, all with grit in his voice, without sounding like he's just screaming or growling instead of singing. He belts it out masterfully. Eric Burdon and The Animals did the blues more justice than Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones could ever do.
@gerardcubizolles2744
You're right
@soilmanted
I think the Stones were good while they had Brian Jones.
@lizifer34
I hate you
@brendawilliams4675
Oh, Yeah, Baby!!!
@TD.snowmoblies
In some songs of the stones they were good, but Eric compared to Mick's voice, Eric would win because how he can hit high and low notes perfectly
@dusterbassstaff
60 years...That kind of music is the best ever made !!!Thank you Animals, you're awsome !!!
@cherichaisson903
We Americans [ such as I ] just worship your voice, Eric!... My relatives are great musicians of all kinds of music!!!! Like Country's father of Country George Jones, Mark Chestnutt who Got his first gig in my Uncle's Band. Then They opened at Jone's Country before George started.!
Where the Winter Brothers, .... Janis Joplin were born!
WOW "ERIC BURDON" THE BEST FROM U.K.!
@stefansurowinski2307
I was 16 in 1966. A big Animals, Spencer Davis, Small Faces, Who and Stones fan. We took these groups for granted not really realising we were in the golden age of music. I now realise how lucky I was.
@chasbodaniels1744
When you’re that young, you have very little frame of reference to compare current vs. older music. We just knew that it was an amazing time, with fresh, inventive material being released each month. Other bands watched the Beatles’ evolve, and branched off from there. I’m forever grateful I grew up then!