Peaked at 15: When I Was Young

Today’s selection is our final look at songs that peaked at #15. During spring 1967, Eric Burdon and The Animals released the semi-autobiographical song “When I Was Young.” The song was written by all of the members of the band, which at this time Eric Burdon was the only remaining original member.

Notable in the song is the inclusion of John Weider’s violin and the Indian inspired riffs played by Weider and guitarist Vince Briggs. In the original video of the song, the whammy bar transition from E to D was accompanied by a film of a Supermarine Spitfire diving – setting the stage for the opening verse that referenced Burdon’s father being a soldier in World War II.

While the single did not appear on an album at the time, it contained the same lineup as their next LP, “Winds of Change,” that contained the hit single “San Franciscan Nights.” Besides Burdon, Weider, and Briggs, the rhythm section contained Danny McCulloch on bass and Barry Jenkins on drums. Besides Burdon, Jenkins was the only member who had some tenure with The Animals, as he replaced John Steel in early 1966.

Burdon was never the best singer in the world, but his style has a unique charm to it that embodies working class Britain – a little rough around the edges.