House of the rising sun came from Britain with immigrants and made its way to New Orleans where it was taken up by the blacks before The Animals (British) recorded it. It was number on the music charts the day I was born and its still an awesome song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgTSfJEf_jM
You are NOT going to believe this, but I found out that fact just two days ago after hearing that song on American Idol. My girlfriend makes me watch it. lol. Why i did hte research I don’t even remember. I just confirmed with my girlfriend that I told her it came from Brittan. Goose bumps up the spine!!
This is the earliest known recording. http://www.popscreen.com/v/6XOhe/Tom-Clarence-Ashley-Gwen-Foster-House-Of-The-Rising-Sun-1933
This is the second known recording, which is sung by the teenage daughter of a KY coal miner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15VIDcUMQQI
Totally agree about House of the Rising song, one of a very few songs that absolutely rocks it every single time you hear it. I just said that to hubby the other day.
They also do a fantastic version of St. James Infirmary. It’s kind of a deep track, I’ve never heard it on the radio and would probably never even have heard it at all except I had it on an album back in the day.