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.
Monterey
The Animals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some of them came and played
Others gave flowers away, yes they did
Down in Monterey
Down in Monterey
Young gods smiled upon the crowd
Their music being born of love
Religion was being born
Down in Monterey
The Byrds and the Airplane did fly
Oh, Ravi Shankar's music made me cry
The Who exploded into fire and light
Hugh Masekela's music was black as night
The Grateful Dead blew everybody's mind
Jimi Hendrix, baby, believe me
Set the world on fire, yeah
His Majesty, Prince Jones
Smiled as he moved among the crowd
Ten thousand electric guitars
Were groovin' real loud, yeah
You want to find the truth in life?
Don't pass music by
And you know I would not lie, no, I would not lie,
No, I would not lie
Down in Monterey
All right!
Three days of understanding
Of moving with one another
Even the cops grooved with us
Do you believe me, yeah?
Down in Monterey, down in Monterey
Down in Monterey, down in Monterey
I think that maybe I'm dreaming
Monterey, Monterey
Down in Monterey
Did you hear what I say?
Down in Monterey
The Animals’ song “Monterey” is a celebration of the iconic Monterey Pop Festival that took place in 1967 in Monterey, California. The festival is considered to be one of the most important events in the history of rock music as it brought together some of the biggest names in the industry and launched the careers of many others. The song describes the scene of the festival, with people coming together to listen and play music, and to dance and give flowers away.
The lyrics also touch upon the spiritual and cultural significance of the festival. The reference to “young gods” smiling upon the crowd and the statement that “religion was being born” speak to the idea of music as a transformative and transcendent experience. The song references some of the most famous performances of the festival, including Ravi Shankar’s sitar music and Jimi Hendrix’s electrifying set that literally set his guitar on fire.
The final verse of the song delivers a powerful message about the importance of music in our lives. The line “You want to find the truth in life? Don't pass music by” underscores the idea that music can provide us with a deeper understanding of the world and ourselves. Overall, “Monterey” is a tribute to a pivotal moment in popular music history that continues to inspire and influence musicians today.
Line by Line Meaning
The people came and listened
People arrived and listened to the music.
Some of them came and played
Some of the people came and played the music.
Others gave flowers away, yes they did
Other people gave out flowers to others at the event.
Young gods smiled upon the crowd
The performers were well-received by the audience at the event.
Their music being born of love
The musicians made music inspired by love.
Children danced night and day
Children danced all day and night at the event.
Religion was being born
There was a spiritual aspect to the event.
The Byrds and the Airplane did fly
The bands The Byrds and Jefferson Airplane performed at the event.
Oh, Ravi Shankar's music made me cry
The music of Ravi Shankar had an emotional impact on the listener.
The Who exploded into fire and light
The band The Who made a powerful impact with their performance.
Hugh Masekela's music was black as night
Hugh Masekela's music had a deep, emotional quality.
The Grateful Dead blew everybody's mind
The Grateful Dead had a profound impact on everyone at the event.
Jimi Hendrix, baby, believe me
Set the world on fire, yeah
Jimi Hendrix made history with his groundbreaking performance.
His Majesty, Prince Jones
Smiled as he moved among the crowd
Prince Jones was present among the audience and enjoyed the event.
Ten thousand electric guitars
Were groovin' real loud, yeah
Many people were playing electric guitars and creating a loud, harmonious sound.
You want to find the truth in life?
Don't pass music by
Music can offer truths about life that one should not ignore.
And you know I would not lie, no, I would not lie,
No, I would not lie
The artist is emphasizing the sincerity of their statement.
Three days of understanding
Of moving with one another
The event was a time for people to come together and understand each other better.
Even the cops grooved with us
Do you believe me, yeah?
Even the police officers present at the event were enjoying the music and dancing along.
I think that maybe I'm dreaming
Monterey, Monterey
The artist is in awe of the event and wonders if it's all a dream.
Did you hear what I say?
Down in Monterey
The artist is asking if the listener understands the importance of the event.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Barry Jenkins, Danny Mcculloch, Eric Victor Burdon, Johnny Weider, Vic Briggs
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@WeirdBrandi
I really wish I was a young person during this time. It looks like you guys had so much fun. All I listen is to 60s music like this, I was born in the wrong era. The 60s def seemed extremely magical. I’m extremely sad I missed it, I was born in 1989.
@marca9144
How do you know you weren't there? You have reincarnated from that time and now you long to go back to that time. All you have to do is reach out with your right arm in front of you, close your eyes and it will come pouring back into you. Do it you have nothing to lose and do it when you are moved by the music.
@328ti
I'm still stuck the late 60s. :) Life was simpler.
@WeirdBrandi
Marc A that would be cool to think about!!!! I have lot of cool 60’s stories from my parents, but they were little kids the 60’s, so not old enough to have partied at these cool 60’s concerts haha. Their young adult years were the late 70s to the 80’s, which I also am obsessed with, haha. The 60’s were def magical for sure though.
@WeirdBrandi
Steven Schlossman what a great place to be stuck in!!!!
@bobvasquez1257
Grew in the 60's and lived 60 miles away and wanted to go there but never made it! History was made there before WOODSTOCK. Wish I could go back!
@carlospadilla9487
I’m 72,still listening to Eric Burdon & The Animals!
@PRYNCESSJO
73 here💕🎶😎
@Rich915
@Josephine Joy Manno
74 here...! Big Animals fan :-)
@shorelineboy
Rich915 72 here and still listening 😎