Daniels is a singer, guitarist, and fiddler, who began writing and performing in the 1950s. In 1964, Daniels co-wrote "It Hurts Me", a song which Elvis Presley recorded. He worked as a Nashville session musician, often for producer Bob Johnston, including playing on three Bob Dylan albums during 1969 and 1970, and recordings by Johnny Cash and Leonard Cohen. Daniels recorded his first solo album, Charlie Daniels, in 1971 (see 1971 in country music). His first hit, the novelty song "Uneasy Rider", was from his 1973 second album, Honey in the Rock, and reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1974, Daniels organized the first in a series of Volunteer Jam concerts based in or around Nashville, Tennessee often playing with members of Barefoot Jerry. Except for a three-year gap in the late 1980s, these jams have continued ever since.
In 1975, he had a top 30 hit as leader of the Charlie Daniels Band with the Southern rock self-identification anthem "The South's Gonna Do It Again". "Long Haired Country Boy" was also a minor hit in that year.
Daniels won the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance in 1979 for "The Devil Went Down to Georgia", which reached #3 on the charts. The following year, "Devil" became a major crossover success on rock radio stations, after its inclusion on the soundtrack for the hit movie Urban Cowboy. The song is by far Daniels' greatest success, still receiving regular airplay on U.S. classic rock and country stations, and is well-known even among audiences who eschew country music in general. A hard rock/heavy metal cover version of the song was also included in the video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock as the final guitar battle against the last boss (the devil). Daniels has openly stated his opposition to the metal cover and the devil winning occasionally in the game. [2]
Subsequent Daniels pop hits included "In America" (#11 in 1980), "The Legend of Wooley Swamp" (#31 in 1980), and "Still in Saigon" (#22 in 1982). In 1980, Daniels participated in the country music concept album, The Legend of Jesse James.
In the late 1980s and 1990s, several of Daniels' albums and singles were hits on the Country charts and the music continues to receive airplay on country stations today. Daniels also released several Gospel and Christian records.
In 2005, he has made a cameo appearance along with Larry the Cable Guy, Kid Rock, and Hank Williams, Jr. in Gretchen Wilson's music video for the song "All Jacked Up". In 2006, he appeared with Little Richard, Bootsy Collins, and other musicians as the backup band for Williams' opening sequence to Monday Night Football.
In November 2007, Daniels was invited by Martina McBride to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. [3] He was inducted by Marty Stuart and Connie Smith during the January 19, 2008 edition of the Opry at the Ryman Auditorium. [4]
Daniels now resides in Mount Juliet, TN, where the city has named a park after him. Daniels continues to tour regularly. Daniels appeared in commercials for UPS in 2001 with other celebrities convincing NASCAR driver Dale Jarrett to race the UPS Truck.
Daniels describes himself as a born again Christian.
Charlie Daniels played fiddle on many of The Marshall Tucker Band's early albums. Charlie played on the bands albums: "A New Life", "Where We All Belong", "Searchin' For A Rainbow", "Long Hard Ride" and "Carolina Dreams". Charlie can also be heard on the bands live album recorded in Milwaukee,WI on July 11,1974.
In addition to the Marshall Tucker Band, Charlie also played fiddle on Hank Williams,Jr's 1975 album "Hank Williams Jr & Friends". Toy Caldwell can also be heard on this classic album.
'The Charlie Daniels Band' is also on Last.fm as 'Charlie Daniels Band'.
The Devil Went Down to Georgia
Charlie Daniels Band Lyrics
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He was in a bind 'cause he was way behind
And he was willin' to make a deal
When he came across this young man sawin' on a fiddle and playin' it hot
And the devil jumped up on a hickory stump
And said, "boy, let me tell you what"
"I guess you didn't know it but I'm a fiddle player too
And if you'd care to take a dare, I'll make a bet with you
Now you play pretty good fiddle, boy
But give the devil his due
I'll bet a fiddle of gold against your soul
'Cause I think I'm better than you"
The boy said, "my name's Johnny and it might be a sin
But I'll take your bet, you're gonna regret
'Cause I'm the best there's ever been"
Johnny, rosin up your bow and play your fiddle hard
'Cause Hell's broke loose in Georgia, and the devil deals the cards
And if you win, you get this shiny fiddle made of gold
But if you lose, the devil gets your soul
The devil opened up his case and he said, "I'll start this show"
And fire flew from his fingertips as he rosined up his bow
And he pulled the bow across the strings
And it made a evil hiss
Then a band of demons joined in
And it sounded something like this
When the devil finished, Johnny said, "well, you're pretty good, ol' son
But sit down in that chair right there
And let me show you how it's done"
"Fire on the Mountain" run boys, run
The devil's in the House of the Rising Sun
Chicken in the bread pan pickin' out dough
Granny, does your dog bite? No, child, no
The devil bowed his head because he knew that he'd been beat
And he laid that golden fiddle on the ground at Johnny's feet
Johnny said, "Devil, just come on back if you ever wanna try again
I done told you once you son of a bitch, I'm the best that's ever been"
He played "Fire on the Mountain" run boys, run
Devil's in the House of the Rising Sun
The chicken in the bread pan are pickin' out dough
Granny, will your dog bite? No child, no
The lyrics to Charlie Daniels Band's song The Devil Went Down to Georgia tell the story of a young man named Johnny who is challenged by the devil to a fiddle-playing contest. The devil, who was looking for a soul to steal, approaches Johnny and offers to make a bet with him. If Johnny wins, he gets a fiddle of gold, but if he loses, the devil gets his soul. Johnny, who believes he is the best fiddle player, takes the bet and starts playing "Fire on the Mountain." The devil plays his own musical piece, and then Johnny takes over and impresses everyone with his stirring rendition of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia."
The lyrics of the song depict a struggle between good and evil, showcasing the consequences of making deals with the devil. It reveals that sometimes people may be tempted by the dark side, but if they remain strong, they can defeat temptations and prevail in the end. The song also brings together elements of country, rock, and folk music, making it a memorable piece of popular culture.
Line by Line Meaning
The devil went down to Georgia, he was lookin' for a soul to steal
The devil went to Georgia with the intention of stealing someone's soul.
He was in a bind 'cause he was way behind
And he was willin' to make a deal
The devil was under pressure because he was behind in collecting souls, so he was ready to make a deal.
When he came across this young man sawin' on a fiddle and playin' it hot
And the devil jumped up on a hickory stump
And said, "boy, let me tell you what"
The devil found a young man playing the fiddle skillfully, and he approached him with confidence.
"I guess you didn't know it but I'm a fiddle player too
And if you'd care to take a dare, I'll make a bet with you
Now you play pretty good fiddle, boy
But give the devil his due
I'll bet a fiddle of gold against your soul
'Cause I think I'm better than you"
The devil challenged the young man to a fiddle-playing contest, with the prize being a golden fiddle or the young man's soul. He boasted of his own fiddling skills and challenged the young man to a wager.
The boy said, "my name's Johnny and it might be a sin
But I'll take your bet, you're gonna regret
'Cause I'm the best there's ever been"
The young man introduced himself as Johnny and accepted the devil's challenge, warning him that he would regret it because Johnny was the best fiddler there was.
Johnny, rosin up your bow and play your fiddle hard
'Cause Hell's broke loose in Georgia, and the devil deals the cards
And if you win, you get this shiny fiddle made of gold
But if you lose, the devil gets your soul
Johnny was asked to play his fiddle as best as he could because the stakes were high. The devil was in control, but if Johnny won, he would get a golden fiddle. However, if he lost, the devil would claim his soul.
The devil opened up his case and he said, "I'll start this show"
And fire flew from his fingertips as he rosined up his bow
And he pulled the bow across the strings
And it made a evil hiss
Then a band of demons joined in
And it sounded something like this
The devil started the show with a display of his mastery of the fiddle, causing fire to fly from his fingertips. The sound echoed how evil the music was, and then demons joined to make it sound menacing.
When the devil finished, Johnny said, "well, you're pretty good, ol' son
But sit down in that chair right there
And let me show you how it's done"
After the devil finished playing, Johnny complimented his skill but challenged him to sit and watch how a real master played the fiddle.
"Fire on the Mountain" run boys, run
The devil's in the House of the Rising Sun
Chicken in the bread pan pickin' out dough
Granny, does your dog bite? No, child, no
Johnny played a tune called Fire on the Mountain, while asking his band members to run. The devil was represented to be in the House of the Rising Sun. He sang lyrics asking if there was chicken in the bread and if Granny's dog bites.
The devil bowed his head because he knew that he'd been beat
And he laid that golden fiddle on the ground at Johnny's feet
Johnny said, "Devil, just come on back if you ever wanna try again
I done told you once you son of a bitch, I'm the best that's ever been"
After Johnny played, the devil knew he had been beaten and conceded the golden fiddle to Johnny. Johnny invited the devil to come back for a rematch but also reminded him of his loss and insulted him.
He played "Fire on the Mountain" run boys, run
Devil's in the House of the Rising Sun
The chicken in the bread pan are pickin' out dough
Granny, will your dog bite? No child, no
Johnny repeated the lyrics of the tune he had played earlier, once again mentioning the devil and asking the same questions about chicken and Granny's dog.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charles Fred Hayward, Charlie Daniels, Fred Edwards, James W. Marshall, John Crain, William J. Digregorio
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind