The Animals – Animalism (1966) | Full Album Guide, Tracklist, Credits & Trivia
Introduction
Animalism (1966) is the US counterpart to the UK album Animalisms, released during a period of major transition for The Animals. While sharing a similar name, this version is essentially a different album, featuring a unique tracklist tailored for the American market.
The record captures the band moving beyond their strict blues roots into a more soulful, R&B-driven and slightly psychedelic sound, reflecting the rapidly changing music scene of the mid-1960s.
Album Overview
- Artist: The Animals
- Album: Animalism
- Release Year: 1966
- Genre: Blues Rock / R&B / Psychedelic Rock
- Label: MGM Records (US)
- Producer: Tom Wilson
Tracklist (US Version – Original Release)
- All Night Long
- Shake
- The Other Side of This Life
- Rock Me Baby
- Lucille
- Smoke Stack Lightning
- Hey Gyp
- Hit the Road Jack
- Outcast
- Louisiana Blues
- That's All I Am to You
Album Credits
- Eric Burdon – Lead Vocals
- Hilton Valentine – Guitar
- Dave Rowberry – Keyboards
- Chas Chandler – Bass
- Barry Jenkins – Drums
Producer: Tom Wilson
Label: MGM Records
UK vs US Version (Important Collector Note)
Animalism is often confused with Animalisms, but they are not the same:
- Animalisms (UK) is the original studio album
- Animalism (US) is a reworked release with different songs
- The US version includes more R&B and cover-heavy material
- Different artwork and sequencing add to collector confusion
For collectors, identifying the correct version is crucial, as the UK release is typically considered more authentic.
Musical Style & Direction
This album leans heavily into American R&B and blues influences, with The Animals delivering energetic interpretations of classic songs:
- Strong emphasis on covers of blues and soul standards
- Raw, live-sounding production style
- Eric Burdon’s vocals remain intense and commanding
The sound is less experimental than the UK version but more direct and performance-driven.
Fun Facts & Trivia
- Produced by Tom Wilson, who also worked with Bob Dylan and Frank Zappa
- Includes a version of “Hit the Road Jack,” originally made famous by Ray Charles
- “Hey Gyp” became one of the band’s standout tracks from this era
- The album reflects the American market’s preference for familiar R&B material
Did You Know?
- Many fans don’t realize Animalism and Animalisms are completely different albums
- The band had little control over how albums were compiled for different markets
- This was a period of lineup changes, affecting the band’s overall sound
- Albums in the 1960s were often reshuffled for different countries, creating multiple versions of the same “release”
Final Thoughts
Animalism (1966) is a fascinating example of how record labels shaped albums for different audiences. While not as cohesive as its UK counterpart, it still showcases The Animals’ strength as a powerful blues and R&B band.
For collectors and fans, it remains an important piece of the band’s discography—especially when exploring the differences between UK and US releases during the 1960s.
