I took a slightly different approach to House of the Rising Sun than usually played by uke players. I chose the key of Dm (instead of the commonly heard Am) and played “Travis Picking” style with alternating thumbs in 4/4 time. If you need help with Travis Picking, check out the first three examples in my Fingerstyle Tutorial.

“House of the Rising Sun” is a folk song with origins in the 18th or 19th century. Its exact origins are unclear, but it is believed to have evolved from English folk ballads brought to America. The lyrics tell the story of a person’s downfall in New Orleans, often associated with a gambling house, a brothel, or a prison, depending on the version.

The earliest known recordings of the song were made in the 1930s, including a version by Appalachian folk singer Clarence “Tom” Ashley and Gwen Foster in 1933. Folk musician Lead Belly also recorded a version in the 1940s, further popularizing the song in the American folk tradition.

The most famous rendition of House of the Rising Sun was recorded by the British rock band The Animals in 1964. Their version, featuring Eric Burdon’s powerful vocals and Alan Price’s haunting organ arrangement, transformed the song into a rock classic. The Animals’ version reached No. 1 on both the UK Singles Chart and the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, cementing its place in music history.

Over the years, House of the Rising Sun has been covered by numerous artists, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Dolly Parton. The song remains one of the most enduring and widely recognized traditional folk songs, bridging the gap between folk, blues, and rock music.