Introduction:
In 1965, the British rock band The Animals released their most successful single, We Gotta Get Out Of This Place. It wasn’t written by members of the band themselves, but by the American songwriting duo of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, known for numerous pop hits throughout the 1960s. However, the song became a defining anthem for The Animals, showcasing their strong R&B influences and lead singer Eric Burdon’s powerful vocals.
We Gotta Get Out Of This Place is a driving rock song, pulsating with a sense of urgency and discontent. The music is built around a distinctive bass line by Chas Chandler, one of the band’s founding members, and features energetic drumming and guitar work. Producer Mickie Most, known for his work with other British Invasion bands like Herman’s Hermits, helped craft the song’s raw and energetic sound.
We Gotta Get Out Of This Place became a huge hit for The Animals. It reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, showcasing its immense popularity in their home country. While it didn’t quite top the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, peaking at number thirteen, it was still a significant transatlantic success. The song’s impact went beyond chart numbers though. Its lyrics, which spoke of frustration with a dead-end situation and a yearning for a better future, resonated with a generation of young people facing social and economic challenges in the mid-1960s. The song became an anthem for those feeling trapped and seeking a way out, and its energy and urgency made it a perfect fit for the burgeoning British rock scene.
We Gotta Get Out Of This Place remains an enduring classic of rock and roll. Its powerful sound and relatable message continue to inspire and energize listeners today. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, and it frequently appears on lists of all-time greatest rock anthems. It stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of The Animals and their ability to capture a powerful sentiment in a timeless rock song.
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Lyrics:
In this dirty old part of the cityWhere the sun refused to shinePeople tell me there ain’t no use in tryin’
Now my girl, you’re so young and prettyAnd one thing I know is trueYou’ll be dead before your time is due, I know
Watch my daddy in bed a-dyin’Watched his hair been turnin’ greyHe’s been workin’ and slavin’ his life away, oh yes I know it
And I’ve been workin’ too, baby (yeah!)Every night and day (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!)
We gotta get out of this placeIf it’s the last thing we ever doWe gotta get out of this place‘Cause girl, there’s a better life for me and you
Now my girl you’re so young and prettyAnd one thing I know is true, yeahYou’ll be dead before your time is due, I know it
Watch my daddy in bed a-dyin’Watched his hair been turnin’ grey, yeahHe’s been workin’ and slavin’ his life awayI know he’s been workin’ so hard
Every day baby (yeah!)Whoa!(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!)
We gotta get out of this placeIf it’s the last thing we ever doWe gotta get out of this placeGirl, there’s a better life for me and youSomewhere babySomehow I know it, baby
We gotta get out of this placeIf it’s the last thing we ever doWe gotta get out of this placeGirl, there’s a better life for me and youBelieve me babyI know it babyYou know it too