The Animals reveal the worldwide impact of “We’ve Gotta Get Out Of This Place” in the new issue of Uncut (dated November 2013), out now.
The group’s 1965 hit became an anthem for American soldiers during the Vietnam War.
“We only realised its impact after the band had split [in 1966],” says guitarist Hilton Valentine. “We reformed in 1976 and did a world tour, and it was only then we realised the profound effect it had on US forces in Vietnam. We were meeting vets backstage who told us the song got them through Vietnam. It was No 1 on the American Forces network for years.”
“I’ve had guys come up to me and tell me that I saved their lives,” explains vocalist Eric Burdon, “people I’ve never met. Guys who went out on a patrol for a few hours and came back to the camp and found all their friends had been blown up. It was Vietnam, and then it was Iraq. That song means so much to people.”
Burdon, Valentine and drummer John Steel take us through the creation of “We’ve Gotta Get Out Of This Place”, originally a Brill Building folk song, in the piece.
The November 2013 issue of Uncut is out now.
Photo: Courtesy of ABKCO Records ©Marianna Burdon