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 - ...)
Soul of a man
Eric Burdon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Answer if you can!
Well I want somebody to tell me,
Just what is the soul of a man
I'm going to ask the question
Answer if you can
Can anybody out there can tell me
Just what is the soul of a man
I traveled to different countries
I traveled to foreign lands
I've found nobody to tell me
Just what is the soul of a man
Well I want somebody to tell me
Answer if you can
I want somebody to tell me
Just what is the soul of a man
I saw a crowd stand talking
I came up right on time
I heard the doctor and the lawyer
Say a man ain't nothing but his mind
I want somebody to tell me
Answer if you can
I want somebody to tell me
Just what is the soul of a man
What is the soul of a man
I read the bible often
I try to read it right
As far as I can understand
It's nothing but a burning light
Well I want somebody to tell me
Answer if you can
I want somebody to tell me
Just what is the soul of a man
I want somebody to tell me
Answer if you can
I want somebody to tell me
Just what is the soul of a man
I'm going to ask the question
Answer if you can
Can anybody out there can tell me
Just what is the soul of a man
What is the soul of a man
Eric Burdon's song "Soul of a Man" is a poignant exploration of the existential question of the nature of the human soul. Burdon begins by asking if anyone can tell him what the soul of a man is, revealing a sense of longing and uncertainty. He confesses to having traveled to different countries and foreign lands, yet finding no answers as to the nature of the soul. Burdon then describes a scene where he hears a doctor and a lawyer talk about a man being nothing but his mind, which indicates that he finds this reductionist view lacking.
Burdon then turns to the Bible for answers but confesses that he is only left with a "burning light," which seems to suggest that the answers to the nature of the soul are elusive and perhaps not within human comprehension. The repetition of the question throughout the song and the lack of any concrete answers that Burdon finds is a profound meditation on the human condition and the limitations of human knowledge.
Eric Burdon was inspired to write this song after reading a book by Harry Smith called "The Anthology of American Folk Music." The lyrics are based on a traditional gospel song called "Soul of a Man" that had been recorded by various musicians over the years. The song was also covered by many artists, including Blind Willie Johnson, who wrote the original version.
The song was recorded by Eric Burdon and the Animals in 1966, and it was released on their album "Eric Is Here." The album featured some of Burdon's most famous songs, including "Help Me Girl" and "Don't Bring Me Down."
The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Tom Waits, Bruce Springsteen, and John Mayer. It was also prominently featured in the movie "Wings of Desire" directed by Wim Wenders.
The song was praised for its powerful lyrics and Burdon's passionate delivery. It has been described as a timeless meditation on the human condition and the search for meaning and purpose.
The chords for "Soul of a Man" are D, G, and A. The song is played in a bluesy, slow tempo, with Eric Burdon's powerful vocals leading the way.
In conclusion, "Soul of a Man" is a thought-provoking song that explores the fundamental question of the nature of the human soul. Eric Burdon's passionate delivery and the song's powerful lyrics have made it a classic that resonates with audiences to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I want somebody to tell me
The singer is seeking an answer from someone.
Answer if you can!
The singer is requesting a response from the listener, if they have an answer to the question.
Well I want somebody to tell me,
The singer reiterates their desire for someone to provide an answer.
Just what is the soul of a man
The artist’s primary question is what the soul of a man truly is.
I'm going to ask the question
The artist is informing the listener that they will be asking a question.
Answer if you can
The singer is requesting a response from the listener if they have an answer.
Can anybody out there can tell me
The singer is asking if anyone can provide an answer.
I traveled to different countries
The artist has traveled to various locations.
I traveled to foreign lands
The artist has traveled to lands outside of their own country.
I've found nobody to tell me
The artist has not found anyone to provide the desired answer.
I saw a crowd stand talking
The singer observed a group of people conversing.
I came up right on time
The artist approached the group at the appropriate moment.
I heard the doctor and the lawyer
The two individuals who the singer overheard were a doctor and a lawyer.
Say a man ain't nothing but his mind
The doctor and the lawyer’s conversation suggests that a man is only his thoughts and reasonings, nothing more.
I read the bible often
The singer reads the Bible frequently.
I try to read it right
The artist attempts to interpret the Bible correctly.
As far as I can understand
The artist is admitting their limitations in comprehending the Bible’s message.
It's nothing but a burning light
The Bible is believed by the singer to be a source of clarity and enlightenment.
I want somebody to tell me
The singer is reiterating their desire for someone to provide an answer.
What is the soul of a man
The artist emphasizes the main question that they want an answer to.
Contributed by Charlotte H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mario Lopez
Erick el genial en su obra musical tanto con Ward como the animals un icono en el Rock
Gizmo Dietsch
I remember the first time Eric played this for me, here in Hawaii. WOW, still going!!
Sharon VANERT
What year did Eric play this for you?
Gizmo Dietsch
@Sharon VANERT 2005 or 2006
I believe.
Sharon VANERT
Unique beautiful song 😊
eric macarthur
Blind Willie Johnston song...why is he not credited? Great cover by Eric though. Love it.
Maeb Tadhg
As long as ur straight up honest & righteous the afterlife will be a pleasant one !.
Ken Mcfarland
Not so, you need to hand your life over to Jesus Christ as i discovered !
copac de nor cu soare
@Ken Mcfarland LOOL!
Sharon VANERT
All the little soldiers Belair Malibu Jerry Goldstein what good times.