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 - ...)
It
Eric Burdon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the good things have been taken
But girl there are ways to make certain things pay
Though I'm dressed in these rags, I'll wear sable some day
Hear what I say
I'm gonna ride the serpent
No more time spent sweatin' rent
I'm breakin' loose, it ain't no use
Holdin' me down, stick around
But baby (baby)
Remember (remember)
It's my life and I'll do what I want
It's my mind and I'll think what I want
Show me I'm wrong, hurt me sometime
But some day I'll treat you real fine
There'll be women and their fortunes
Who just want to mother orphans
Are you gonna cry, when I'm squeezin' the rye
Takin' all I can get, no regrets
When I, openly lie
And leave only money
Believe me honey, that money
Can you believe, I ain't no saint
No complaints
So girl go out
Hand it out
And baby (baby)
Remember (remember)
It's my life and I'll do what I want
It's my mind and I'll think what I want
Show me I'm wrong, hurt me sometime
But some day I'll treat you real fine
(It's my life and I'll do what I want) Don't push me
(It's my mind and I'll think what I want) It's my life
(It's my life and I'll do what I want) And I can do what I want
(It's my mind and I'll think what I want) You can't tell me
(It's my life and I'll do what I want)
In Eric Burdon's song "It," the lyrics express a sense of rebellion and determination to live life on one's own terms. The opening lines highlight the harsh reality of the music industry and the difficulty of getting a break. However, Burdon offers hope and suggests there are ways to make things work. He declares that he will not be held down and will do whatever it takes to succeed.
Throughout the song, Burdon asserts his independence and self-determination. He acknowledges that there may be consequences to his actions and that he may hurt others along the way. However, he is steadfast in his resolve to live life on his own terms. The repetition of the phrase "It's my life, and I'll do what I want" emphasizes this point.
The closing lines of the song introduce the idea of women and their fortunes, suggesting that Burdon may use relationships to further his own success. However, he also acknowledges that he may hurt those he is involved with and promises to treat them well someday.
Overall, "It" is a song about pursuing one's dreams and not letting anyone hold you back. It encourages listeners to take control of their lives and chart their own course, even if it means making difficult choices and facing consequences along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a hard world to get a break in
It's challenging to be successful in this world
All the good things have been taken
The opportunities for success are limited
But girl there are ways to make certain things pay
There are still ways to succeed despite the odds
Though I'm dressed in these rags, I'll wear sable some day
Even if I'm currently poor, I believe I'll be rich someday
Hear what I say
Listen to me
I'm gonna ride the serpent
I'm going to take risks to succeed
No more time spent sweatin' rent
I refuse to struggle to make ends meet anymore
Hear my command
Listen to what I have to say
I'm breakin' loose, it ain't no use
I'm going to break free from my current situation
Holdin' me down, stick around
Don't try to control me
But baby (baby)
My dear
Remember (remember)
Don't forget
It's my life and I'll do what I want
I have the right to make my own decisions
It's my mind and I'll think what I want
I have the right to think for myself
Show me I'm wrong, hurt me sometime
It's okay to challenge me or hurt me sometimes
But some day I'll treat you real fine
I'll treat you well in the future
There'll be women and their fortunes
I'll meet rich women
Who just want to mother orphans
These rich women may want to take care of children
Are you gonna cry, when I'm squeezin' the rye
Will you be upset when I'm drinking and partying?
Takin' all I can get, no regrets
I'll take advantage of these opportunities without remorse
When I, openly lie
I'm not always honest
And leave only money
Money is my only concern
Believe me honey, that money
Trust me, money is important
Can you believe, I ain't no saint
I admit I'm not perfect
No complaints
I won't complain about the consequences of my actions
So girl go out
You're free to do what you want
Hand it out
Be generous
(It's my life and I'll do what I want) Don't push me
I won't be controlled
(It's my mind and I'll think what I want) It's my life
I'm in charge of my own life
(It's my life and I'll do what I want) And I can do what I want
I have freedom of choice
(It's my mind and I'll think what I want) You can't tell me
No one can tell me what to do or think
(It's my life and I'll do what I want)
I'll make my own decisions
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMMY COLETTE, ROB KABULA, ROGER MIRET, VINNIE CAPPUCCHIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@billhartegan6288
Sadly the younger people under fifty or so may never know how great the music was , I’m 68 and man I’ll tell you from the mid 60 to early 80 music had meaning and soul , just the best of times !!!!
@allamericananti-christ666
Some do. & some always will.
@thecoldglassofwatershow
I’m 40, and I know
@harrymills2770
... and then liberals BECAME the establishment and it's been a death spiral ever since. They were much cooler on the outside looking in. Now most erstwhile hippies are insufferable conformists.
@ervina02
The early 60's and late 80's wasn't bad either!
@c.eso9045
im 32!! my uncle would play many songs i still love.. still visit him to dig in his collection and vibe out. I have alot of respect for him.. my dad wasnt around alot and he guided me!
@robinboyle5667
Man, did we grow up in the perfect storm of rock and roll? Yes, we did.Not all of us made it out alive, but it changed us in a way that changed rock forever. Peace.
@stevegarland1526
So right! every style, every sense of taste, all there.
@karldesforges277
Man.! Perfect line..Thanks...! Stay Cool ..
@sinister2846
Yes we did. It was crazy and it was real. The music gave us a voice and we were heard. Blessings to all who are still standing. Peace my brothers and sisters.