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.
Many Rivers to Cross
The Animals Lyrics
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But I can`t seem to find
My way over
Wandering I am lost
As I travel along
The white cliffs of Dover
Many rivers to cross
And it`s only my will
I`ve been licked
Washed up for years
And I merely survive
Because of my pride
And this loneliness won`t leave me alone
It`s such a drag to be on your own
My man he left me but he wouldn't say why
Well I guess, I have to try
Many rivers to cross
But just where to begin
I`m playing for time
There`ll be times I find myself
Thinking of committing
Some dreadful crime.
And this loneliness won`t leave me alone
It`s such a drag to be on your own
My man he left me but he wouldn't say why
Well I guess, I have to try, yeah yeah
Rivers, rivers to cross
Yeah yeah
Rivers to cross
The Animals' hit song "Many Rivers to Cross" is an emotional ballad about perseverance and the difficulties of life. The lyrics describe a person who is lost and wandering, trying to find their way across countless rivers, but always seems to come up short. They are struggling, and their will to survive is the only thing keeping them going.
The opening line "Many rivers to cross, but I can't seem to find my way over," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The line gives a feeling of helplessness, as if the person is facing a seemingly impossible task, and no matter how much effort they put into it, they still remain lost. As the song progresses, the lyrics show that the person has been beaten down by life, and they are just trying to survive. They have been "washed up for years," but their pride keeps them going.
The chorus, "And this loneliness won't leave me alone, it's such a drag to be on your own," is a reminder that even when surrounded by countless others, loneliness can still persist. The singer is isolated, and the weight of their problems feels too heavy to bear. The song ends with the repetition of the phrase "Rivers to cross," which is a metaphor for the constant obstacles and challenges that the person is facing.
Overall, "Many Rivers to Cross" is a powerful song that connects with listeners on a deep level. It is about facing adversity and trying to find a way through it, even when it feels impossible.
Line by Line Meaning
Many rivers to cross
There are many obstacles and challenges in my path.
But I can't seem to find
Despite my efforts, I am struggling to locate a way forward.
My way over
A path to success and resolution.
Wandering I am lost
I am lost and unsure of what steps to take.
As I travel along
Through my journey and experiences.
The white cliffs of Dover
A specific place or location I am passing through or near.
And it's only my will
My determination and persistence are the only things keeping me going.
That keeps me alive
Without my willpower, I would not survive these challenges.
I've been licked
I have been defeated and humbled by my circumstances.
Washed up for years
I have been struggling for a long time without making progress.
And I merely survive
I am not thriving, just barely getting by.
Because of my pride
My sense of self-worth and dignity keeps me going.
And this loneliness won't leave me alone
I am feeling isolated and unsupported in my struggles.
It's such a drag to be on your own
Being alone is a burden and a source of difficulty.
My man he left me but he wouldn't say why
I have experienced loss and abandonment without understanding why it happened.
Well I guess, I have to try
Despite my uncertainties and fears, I must keep striving to overcome my challenges.
But just where to begin
I am unsure of how to even start addressing my problems.
I'm playing for time
I am trying to delay making any decisions or commitments.
There'll be times I find myself
I know that I will inevitably face moments of struggle in the future.
Thinking of committing
Contemplating doing something drastic or harmful.
Some dreadful crime.
Acting on those thoughts and giving in to desperation.
Rivers, rivers to cross
Reiteration of the many obstacles and struggles I am facing.
Yeah yeah
An expression of acknowledgement or agreement.
Rivers to cross
Final repetition of the central theme, emphasizing the difficulties I am encountering.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMMY CLIFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind