Inside-Looking Out

Last updated
"Inside-Looking Out"
Single by the Animals
from the album Animalization
B-side
Released11 February 1966
Recorded9 January 1966 [1]
Genre Garage rock, rhythm and blues, psychedelic rock
Length3:44
Label Decca F12332
MGM 13468 (USA)
Songwriter(s) John Lomax, Alan Lomax, Eric Burdon, Chas Chandler
Producer(s) Tom Wilson
The Animals singles chronology
"It's My Life"
(1965)
"Inside-Looking Out"
(1966)
"Don't Bring Me Down"
(1966)

"Inside-Looking Out", often written "Inside Looking Out", [2] is a 1966 single by the Animals, and their first for Decca Records. It was a moderate hit, reaching number 12 on the UK Singles Chart, number 23 in Canada, and number 34 in the United States on the U.S. pop singles chart. [3] It was the group's final single with drummer John Steel, who left shortly after its release. He was replaced by Barry Jenkins, who would go on to play with Eric Burdon and the Animals.

Contents

Background

The song is very loosely based on a prison work chant entitled "Rosie," attributed to C. B. and Axe Gang, that was collected by musicologist Alan Lomax and released in his album Popular Songbook. [4] [5] As a result, the Animals' interpretation is credited to John and Alan Lomax with Eric Burdon and Chas Chandler.

Reception

Cash Box described the single as a "raunchy, pulsating blues-soaked plea in which a rejected fella begs his ex-girlfriend to return to him." [6]

Chart performance

Chart (1966)Peak
position
Canada23
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)12
US Billboard Hot 100 34

Cover versions

Influences and samples

References and notes

  1. "Chrome Oxide - Music Collectors pages - Animals - 05/12/2018". www.chromeoxide.com. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
  2. The spelling "Inside-Looking Out" refers to the spelling on the original 1966 singles (Decca, MGM)
  3. The Animals, "Inside Looking Out" Chart Positions Retrieved March 20, 2015
  4. Lomax, Alan (R.D. Cohen, ed.), 2003: Alan Lomax: Selected Writings 1934-1997, Routledge, p. 73
  5. Sturman, Janet. "Rosie." Instructor materials for Music 109, "Rock and American Popular Music."
  6. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. February 19, 1966. p. 20. Retrieved 2022-01-12.


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