History
First incarnation
Formed in Newcastle-upon-Tyne during 1962 and 1963 when Burdon joined the existing Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo, the original line-up comprised Eric Burdon (vocals), Alan Price (organ and keyboards), Hilton Valentine (guitar), John Steel (drums), and Bryan "Chas" Chandler (bass). The Animals' moderate success in their hometown and a connection with The Yardbirds manager Giorgio Gomelsky motivated them to move to London in 1964, in time to be grouped with the British Invasion. They performed fiery versions of the staple rhythm and blues repertoire (Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker, Nina Simone, etc). Signed to the Columbia Graphophone subsidiary of EMI, a rocking version of the standard "Baby Let Me Follow You Down" (retitled Baby Let Me Take You Home) was their first UK hit single.
It was followed in June 1964 by the huge transatlantic hit "House of the Rising Sun". Burdon's howling vocals and the dramatic arrangement created arguably the first folk rock hit. Whether the arrangement was inspired by Bob Dylan's version of the song (which in turn was inspired by folk singer Dave Van Ronk) or by blues singer Josh White's (who recorded it twice in 1944 and 1949) or by singer/pianist Nina Simone (who recorded it in 1962 on At The Village Gate, predating Dylan's interpretation) remains a subject of dispute, as does whether all five Animals deserved credit for the arrangement and not just Price.
The Animals' two-year chart career, masterminded by producer Mickie Most, featured singles that were intense, gritty pop covers such as Sam Cooke's Bring It On Home To Me and the Nina Simone number Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood. In contrast their album tracks stayed with rhythm and blues, with Hooker's Boom Boom and Ray Charles' I Believe to My Soul being notable examples. Burdon's powerful, deep voice and the use of keyboards as much or more than guitars were two elements that made the Animals' sound stand out.
By May 1965 the group was starting to feel internal pressures. Price left due to personal and musical differences as well as a fear of flying on tour; he went on to a successful career as a solo artist and with the Alan Price Set. Mickey Gallagher filled in for him on keyboards for a spell, until Dave Rowberry replaced him and was on hand for the hit working-class anthems We Gotta Get Out of this Place and It's My Life. Around that time, an Animals Big Band even made a one-time appearance.
Many of The Animals' hits had come from Brill Building songwriters recruited by Most; the group, and Burdon in particular, felt this was too restrictive. As 1965 ended the group switched to Decca Records and producer Tom Wilson, who gave them more artistic freedom. In early 1966 MGM Records, their American label, collected their hits onto The Best of The Animals; it became their best-selling album in the U.S. In February 1966 Steel left and was replaced by Barry Jenkins; a leftover cover of Goffin-King's Don't Bring Me Down and the powerful hard rock tune See See Rider were the last hits as The Animals.
By this time their business affairs "were in a total shambles," according to Chandler (who would go on to manage Jimi Hendrix), and the group disbanded. Even by the standards of the day, when artists tended to be financially naïve, the Animals made very little money from their successes, eventually claiming mismanagement and theft on the part of their manager Mike Jeffery.
Second incarnation
A group with Burdon, Jenkins, and new sidemen John Weider (guitar/violin/bass), Vic Briggs alias Antion (guitar/piano), and Danny McCulloch (bass) was formed under the name Eric Burdon and the New Animals (or sometimes just Eric Burdon & the Animals) in October 1966, and changed direction. The hard-driving blues was transformed into Burdon's version of psychedelia, as the former heavy-drinking Geordie (who later said he could never get used to Newcastle, "where the rain comes at you sideways") relocated to California and became a spokesman for the Love Generation, but also a former heavy metal act and one of the upcoming stars of the genre such as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple..
Some of this group's hits included "San Franciscan Nights", "Monterey" (a tribute to the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival), and the anti-war "Sky Pilot". There were further changes to this line-up: George Bruno (a/k/a Zoot Money, keyboards) was added in April 1968, and in July 1968 Andy Summers [sic] (guitar)—later of The Police—replaced Briggs and McCulloch.
By 1969 these Animals had dissolved, and Eric Burdon joined forces with a Latin group from Long Beach, California called War.
The first hit under Eric Burdon & War was the funky/chill-out song Spill the Wine. The Group with 8 members disbanded in July 1971.
Later incarnations
The original Animals line-up of Burdon, Price, Valentine, Chandler, and Steel briefly reunited for a benefit concert in Newcastle in 1968, for an album in 1977 and again for an album and tour (supplemented by Zoot Money on keyboards and Steve Grant on guitar) in 1983. Chandler died in 1996.
In the 2000s Burdon has toured with a new set of musicians under the name "Eric Burdon and the Animals". Periodically during the 1990s and 2000s Valentine, Steel, and Dave Rowberry toured under the name "(Hilton Valentine's) The Animals" and Valentine and Steel under the name "Animals II". Rowberry died in 2003. As of 2005 "Animals & Friends" was also active, consisting of Steel and Mickey Gallagher; this group frequently play gigs on a Color Line ship that travels between Scandinavia and Germany.
Legacy
The original Animals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Their influence can be heard in artists as varied as The Doors, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Canned Heat, David Johansen, Joe Cocker, Fine Young Cannibals, Iggy Pop, Mando Diao and many, many more.
Hard Times
The Animals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the pavement, to the solid ground
It's gonna be the hard times
That'll leave you when things are cheap again
Baby, it's the hard times, don't you know
That has taken the shine off your golden look
It's gonna be the hard times that'll leave you when
Hard times, you're running scared on the streers
Hard times, with all beggars and the priests
Hard times, with the welfare checking here on time
Telling everybody everything's just fine
Hard times, hard times
Baby, it's the hard times, and the taste is here
From champagne, going to sipping on beer
Baby, it's the hard times that's eating on your soul
It's about time you know
Hard times, they've raised the price of smoke and drink
Hard times, gonna make make me stop and think
Hard times, will it ever be the same
All this talk of a chance of work is just a crazy game
Hard times, they're gonna force you to the wall
Hard times, 'til there's nothing left at all
Hard times, this walking wreck ain't worth a dime
Got your head hanging down in there with the line
Hard times, it seems the whole world has quit
Hard times, you've got no future, got no past
Hard times, just how long can it last
You wake up one day and find out it's gone in a flash
Hard times!
The Animals' song Hard Times is a depiction of the struggles and challenges that individuals face daily, particularly in times when the economy of the nation or society is poor. The song's lyrics paint a bleak picture of life during trying times, with the opening lines: "Baby, it's the hard times that are putting you down; to the pavement, to the solid ground." The lyrics suggest that hard times can be overwhelming, leaving people feeling as though they have hit rock bottom. However, the song also implies that hard times are not permanent and that good times may come again.
The song shifts to focus on the present moment and describes the various ways that hard times affect people's lives. For instance, people may feel fearful and vulnerable, as "hard times" bring about "all beggars and the priests" living and struggling together. Hard times also mean that individuals may face financial difficulties, including having to rely on welfare and dealing with the rising cost of basic needs like cigarettes and alcohol.
The song has a melancholic tone and ends on a somber note with the repeated chorus of "hard times." It highlights that hard times are not just a singular experience but something that many people face, often beyond their control. The song also serves as a reminder that hard times may not last forever; nonetheless, it ends on a note that suggests some bleak outcomes for those experiencing difficult economic times.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, it's the hard times that are putting you down
Difficult times are causing you to feel sad and down
To the pavement, to the solid ground
Your struggles have brought you back down to reality
It's gonna be the hard times
That'll leave you when things are cheap again
When times are good again, you'll forget about the difficult times
Baby, it's the hard times, don't you know
That has taken the shine off your golden look
Your difficult experiences have changed you and taken away your optimism and confidence
It's gonna be the hard times that'll leave you when
You come back to me again
You'll forget about your struggles when you return to your comfortable life
Hard times, you're running scared on the streets
You're afraid and uncertain because of the difficult situations you're facing
Hard times, with all beggars and the priests
Your struggles are affecting everyone, from the poorest to the most religious
Hard times, with the welfare checking here on time
Telling everybody everything's just fine
The government is pretending everything is okay despite the difficult realities people face
Hard times, hard times
Repetition of the title emphasizing the pervasive and ongoing nature of difficult times
Baby, it's the hard times, and the taste is here
From champagne, going to sipping on beer
You went from luxury and ease to hardship and struggle
Baby, it's the hard times that's eating on your soul
It's about time you know
Your difficult experiences are taking a toll on you emotionally and spiritually
Hard times, they've raised the price of smoke and drink
Hard times, gonna make make me stop and think
Even small pleasures like smoking and drinking have become more expensive and unattainable
Hard times, will it ever be the same
All this talk of a chance of work is just a crazy game
You're unsure if the world will ever return to the way it was before and job opportunities seem unlikely or unattainable
Hard times, they're gonna force you to the wall
Hard times, 'til there's nothing left at all
Your struggles will keep pushing you until you have nothing left
Hard times, this walking wreck ain't worth a dime
Got your head hanging down in there with the line
You feel worthless and depleted, and it's impacting your mood and outlook
Hard times, it seems the whole world has quit
Hard times, you've got no future, got no past
Hard times, just how long can it last
You wake up one day and find out it's gone in a flash
The difficulties feel never-ending and hopeless, and you worry they will take everything from you with no warning.
Hard times!
Final repetition of the title to emphasize the pervasiveness of hard times throughout the song and your own life.
Contributed by Lauren P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.