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.
Help Me Girl
The Animals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So hungry that you had no pride?
Well I got that feeling
That biting, gnawing deep inside
It's a funny pain
One I can't explain
You gotta help me girl
Help me girl
I know about all the good things
And what that long green stuff can buy
Right or wrong it's a groove girl
Yet somehow I'm not satisfied
You gotta show me the way
Turn my night into day
You gotta help me girl
Help me girl
'Cause I'm going insane
Oh, I need someone
Someone to comfort me
Be my someone
Be my reality girl
You gotta show me the way
And turn my night into day
Help me girl
Help me girl
'Cause I'm going insane
Oh, Help me girl
Help me
Baby
Help me girl
In need your love
I need your love so bad
Help me...
The Animals's song "Help Me Girl" was released in 1966, and it is a plea for help from a girl who can offer comfort and satisfaction to the singer's hunger. The singer sings about an intense feeling of emptiness that he cannot fulfill with money or material things. He needs someone to show him the way and turn his night into day. The singer is desperate for help and he is going insane without the comfort of the girl he is singing to. He asks her to be his reality girl and to help him fill the void in his heart. He needs her love so bad that he is willing to admit that he is going insane because he cannot find the satisfaction he seeks on his own.
The lyrics in "Help Me Girl" are heartbreaking and poignant because they represent a universal feeling of hunger for love and connection that we all experience at some point in our lives. The singer's plea for help is delivered through emotional and powerful lyrics that are enhanced by the raw and soulful performance of Eric Burdon. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody add a level of optimism to the lyrics, creating a song that is both melancholy and uplifting.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl have you ever been hungry
Have you ever been in such a desperate situation that you lost all sense of self-respect?
So hungry that you had no pride?
Were you so hungry that you didn't care about your pride and dignity?
Well I got that feeling
I'm experiencing that same feeling of desperation.
That biting, gnawing deep inside
I have an intense hunger that is causing physical pain and discomfort.
It's a funny pain
It's hard to describe or understand this type of pain.
One I can't explain
I cannot find the words to describe how I'm feeling.
You gotta help me girl
I need someone to come to my rescue.
Help me girl
I am counting on you to assist me.
'Cause I'm going insane
I am losing my sanity due to this unbearable hunger.
I know about all the good things
I am aware of the material possessions that come with wealth.
And what that long green stuff can buy
I know that wealthy people have access to many things that money can buy.
Right or wrong it's a groove girl
Whether it's right or wrong, having wealth seems like an appealing lifestyle.
Yet somehow I'm not satisfied
But despite knowing all of this, I still feel unsatisfied.
You gotta show me the way
I need guidance and direction from someone who understands how to find contentment.
Turn my night into day
I want someone to provide me with joy and happiness that I am currently lacking.
Oh, I need someone
I cannot overcome this on my own.
Someone to comfort me
I need someone to soothe my pain and provide me with comfort.
Be my someone
I want someone to be my partner and companion.
Be my reality girl
I want someone who can bring me back to reality and show me what's really important in life.
In need your love
I am in need of your care and affection.
I need your love so bad
I desperately crave your love and attention.
Help me...
I am begging you for help.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LAURENCE WEISS, SCOTT ENGLISH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind