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 - ...)
The Road
Eric Burdon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Backed up by devious men
The road, the road is a killer
But you'll always go back again
Twenty percent of my money
It's twenty percent of my soul
You got to understand baby
I live, I don't play this rock'n'roll
Out on the road, on the road
Twisted, wicked highway
Long and lonesome road
You walk on stage and you're blinded
Losing you way in the night
Sixty thousand people are waiting
so you do a crazy dance in the light
In the morning you're back on the highway
Looking for that pot of gold
You started out so young and strongand eage
Oh well, now you're lonely and you're cold
The road, the road is a killer
It sneaks up at you from behind
It makes you a slave in the long run
It takes your body, soul and your mind
Sometimes I wonder how it all began
Sometimes I see myself given up for dead
I got to get back on the highway
And find my dream
Long long and winding
It will make you breakdown and scream
The lyrics to Eric Burdon's song "The Road" speaks to the difficulties and struggles of life on the road as a musician. Burdon describes the road as a "killer," backed up by "devious men," and admits that it has taken a toll on both his money and his soul. Despite this, he still finds himself drawn back to it time and again. He describes the road as a "twisted, wicked highway" and talks about the loneliness and isolation of performing to huge crowds of people in the dark of night.
Burdon also talks about the toll that life on the road has taken on him, both physically and mentally. He acknowledges that he started out young, strong, and eager, but now feels "lonely and... cold." He warns that the road will "make you breakdown and scream," and admits to sometimes wondering how it all began and seeing himself "given up for dead." Despite this, however, he is determined to keep going, to "find [his] dream" and keep traveling down the "long long and winding" road.
In summary, "The Road" by Eric Burdon is a poignant and introspective examination of the difficulties and struggles faced by musicians on the road. It speaks to the loneliness, isolation, and toll that this lifestyle can take, while also acknowledging the allure and draw that it has for those who choose it.
Line by Line Meaning
The road, the road is a killer
The constant travel and touring is dangerous physically and mentally for Eric Burdon.
Backed up by devious men
The music industry has shady and deceitful individuals who profit off of artists like Eric Burdon.
But you'll always go back again
Despite the danger and the deceit, Eric Burdon will always return to the road and music.
Twenty percent of my money
A large portion of Eric Burdon's earnings goes towards fees for managers, agents, and other industry professionals.
It's twenty percent of my soul
These fees and the constant travel take a toll on Eric Burdon's identity and creativity as an artist.
You got to understand baby
Listen to what I'm saying.
I live, I don't play this rock'n'roll
Eric Burdon takes his music and touring seriously and it's not just a fun pastime.
Out on the road, on the road
Life on the road as a touring musician.
Twisted, wicked highway
The road can be dark, perilous and lonely.
Long and lonesome road
A metaphor for the long journey of a musician constantly touring.
You walk on stage and you're blinded
The stage lights and the energy from the crowd can be overwhelming for Eric Burdon.
Losing your way in the night
It's easy to get lost in the excitement of performing and traveling.
Sixty thousand people are waiting
Eric Burdon has a large following who expect him to put on a great show.
So you do a crazy dance in the light
Eric Burdon puts on a show that is both visually and musically exciting to please the crowd.
In the morning you're back on the highway
After the concert, Eric Burdon and his team quickly hit the road again to the next venue.
Looking for that pot of gold
Eric Burdon or striving for financial success as a musician.
You started out so young and strong and eager
Eric Burdon began his career with enthusiasm and strength.
Oh well, now you're lonely and you're cold
Touring has cost Eric Burdon his personal life and left him feeling isolated.
It sneaks up at you from behind
The negative aspects of touring and the music industry can be unexpected.
It makes you a slave in the long run
The touring and the pressures of the music industry can take over an artist's life and limit their freedoms.
It takes your body, soul and your mind
Touring and the music industry can have a damaging effect on an artist's mental and physical health.
Sometimes I wonder how it all began
Eric Burdon reflects on how he became a musician and touring artist.
Sometimes I see myself given up for dead
Eric Burdon feels like touring and the music industry can drain the life out of an artist.
I got to get back on the highway
Despite the hardships, Eric Burdon knows he needs to keep touring to continue his career.
And find my dream
Eric Burdon is still striving for success and fulfillment as a musician.
Long long and winding
A metaphor for the long, unpredictable journey of a musician's career.
It will make you breakdown and scream
The constant travel and pressures of the music industry can be overwhelming and lead an artist to break down mentally or physically.
Contributed by Caden K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John Sterling
Edited from the VHS tape, Eva Lund and myself worked hard to keep the studio vocal in sync with the live Metropol picture. Of all the songs I wrote with Eric,this is my favorite with such great words and the true story of the rock musician's life. John Sterling Oct 2014.
francis france
Bravo pour cette video et cette chanson.
Une des meilleures de 'Comeback".
Sheri Peters
John Sterling John, I have tremendous respect for yours and Eric’s writing. This is obviously from the movie The Comeback , which through all my researching it shows it is only on VHS tape. How can that be? Do you know anything about that? I really want to see this movie. I grew up in the 60’s and Eric is my ultimate favorite singer. Also I don’t know if your still in contact with him but when the hell is that 3rd book coming out. I don’t know how to find out. I read his second one and it was great. His first is only being sold as a collectors item. I’ve seen it as high as $500.00. If you can get me any answers that would be so great. I’m a super fan although I bet you’ve heard that before🙏✌️
Lola
Buenísimo 👏 👏 👏 👏 como siempre
Lola
Buenísimo 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 como siempre Eric Burdon
Gerardina Tigreros abril
Me encanta,me fascina.!
Música en toda la extensión de la palabra.
steicy133
this is so awsome!!! great video
DidYaServe
Banging tune!
Otto Greenleaf
Happy Birthday to Eric Burdon(May 11). Cheers!
Mari Radnai
Wooooow!!!! Thanks, Magus!