The Animals Guitar Lessons – Learn Their Classic Hits

The Animals were one of the most distinctive British rock bands of the 1960s, blending blues, rock and R&B with Eric Burdon's powerful vocals and the band's unmistakable sound. If you're looking to learn some of their classic songs on acoustic guitar, this collection of six Animals guitar lessons is a great place to start.

From the haunting atmosphere of The House of the Rising Sun and the driving energy of We Gotta Get Out of This Place to favorites like Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, It's My Life, Boom Boom and River Deep Mountain High, these lessons bring some of the band's best-known recordings to life through acoustic guitar arrangements, video instruction and printable chord sheets.

Boom Boom was included on the 1965 album from The Animals called "Animal Tracks."The song was originally written and recorded by blues legend John Lee Hooker, and The Animals' version pays homage to the original while adding their own unique touch.

In The Animals' version of "Boom Boom," Burdon sings about a woman who has left him, but he can't seem to let go of his feelings for her.

Overall, "Boom Boom" is a classic blues rock track that showcases The Animals' talents as a band and Eric Burdon's powerful vocals.

Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood is a classic song that was released by The Animals as a single in 1965 and appeared on their album "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood." The song was written by Bennie Benjamin, Gloria Caldwell, and Sol Marcus and was originally recorded by Nina Simone in 1964.

"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" became one of The Animals' most popular and enduring hits, and it has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Elvis Costello and Santa Esmeralda.

It's My Life is a song recorded by The Animals that was released as a single in 1965 and later included on their album, "Animal Tracks." The song was written by Roger Atkins and Carl D'Errico and was originally recorded by the American band, The Animals.

"It's My Life" was a departure from the bluesy sound that The Animals were known for and showcased the band's ability to experiment with different styles.

The song has since become a classic of the rock genre and has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Bon Jovi and No Doubt.

River Deep, Mountain High was recorded by The Animals in 1968 for their album, "Love Is." The song was originally written by Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich and was famously recorded by Tina Turner in 1966.

The Animals' version of "River Deep, Mountain High" features Eric Burdon's powerful vocals and a driving rhythm section, with a wall of sound production that was characteristic of Phil Spector's work.

Despite its initial lack of commercial success, "River Deep, Mountain High" has gone on to become one of the most beloved songs of the 1960s, with numerous artists covering the track over the years.

The House of the Rising Sun is perhaps the most famous song recorded by The Animals. The song was released as a single in 1964 and quickly became a massive hit, reaching the top of the charts in the UK, US, and several other countries.

The song is a traditional folk song that tells the story of a life gone wrong in New Orleans, where a person must spend their life in a "house of ill repute" called the Rising Sun.

The Animals' version of "The House of the Rising Sun" is a powerful and emotive rendition that features Eric Burdon's distinctive vocals and a haunting organ riff that drives the song forward.

We Gotta Get Out Of This Place was released by The Animals in 1965, reaching #2 on the UK Singles Chart and #13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Written by the legendary songwriting team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, the song tells the story of a young couple desperate to escape their bleak, working-class surroundings and find a better life. Eric Burdon's powerful vocals, Chas Chandler's memorable bass line and the band's driving arrangement helped turn it into a defining anthem of the era.

The song also became particularly popular among American soldiers serving in Vietnam, who connected with its message of frustration, longing and the determination to escape difficult circumstances.

Kirby Swinemar is an acoustic guitar instructor, performer and song arranger who has taught online for 21 years and created more than 4,000 original acoustic guitar lessons. He specialises in song-based acoustic guitar instruction, rhythm guitar techniques, and creating full-sounding solo arrangements that help beginner and intermediate players move beyond basic strumming.

Explore his work at Kirby's Guitar Lessons, visit his YouTube Channel and Facebook Page, or learn more about Kirby on his About Me page.