Currently, the group comprises singer and harmonica player John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, drummer Brendan Hill, bassist Tad Kinchla and keyboardist Ben Wilson. Tad Kinchla and Ben Wilson joined the band following the death of original bassist Bobby Sheehan in 1999.
While Blues Traveler is best known among fans for their improvisational live shows, the general public is most familiar with the group from their Top 40 singles "Run-Around" and "Hook". They gained mainstream popularity after their fourth studio album four, released in 1994. Sheehan's death and Popper's struggle with obesity put a damper on the group's success, and A&M dropped the band in 2002.
Devil Went Down To Georgia
Blues Traveler Lyrics
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He was in a bind, cause he was way behind
And he was willing to make a deal
Well he come across a young man sawing on a fiddle and he played it hot
The devil jumped up on a hickory stump
And said "boy, let me tell you what
And if you care to make a dare
I'll make a bet with you
Now you play pretty good fiddle, son but give the devil his due
I'll bet a fiddle of gold against your soul
Cause I think I'm better than you!
Well 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'll get this shiny fiddle made of gold
But if you lose the devil gets your soul
The devil opened up his case, and said, "I'll start this show"
And fire flew from his finger tips as he rosined up his bow
When he pulled that bow across the strings, it made an evil hiss
And a band of demons joined in, it sounded just like this
When the devil finished, johnny said, "well you're pretty good old son
But just sit down in that chair right there and let me show you how it's done"
He played fire on the mountain, run, boys, run
The devil's in the house with the rising sun,
Chicken in the breadpan picking 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
And johnny said, "devil, come on back if you ever want to try again
But I told you once, you son of a bitch, I'm the best there's ever been!"
He played fire on the mountain, run, boys, run
The devil's in the house with the rising sun
Chicken in the breadpan picking out dough
Granny does your dog bite, "no, child, no"
"Devil Went Down to Georgia" is a classic tale of a fiddle-playing showdown between Johnny and the devil. The devil is looking for a soul to steal and is willing to make a deal with Johnny, confident that he can win his soul. However, Johnny is a talented fiddle player and accepts the challenge. If Johnny wins, he gets a golden fiddle, but if he loses, the devil takes his soul.
The fiddle duel starts with the devil playing an evil tune, with his demon bandmates joining in, but Johnny responds with the traditional Appalachian tune "Fire on the Mountain." Despite some competition, Johnny and his fiddle ultimately emerge victorious. The devil is humbled and lays his golden fiddle at Johnny's feet before retreating.
The song showcases a battle between good and evil, with Johnny representing the forces of righteousness and the devil representing temptation and sin. Johnny is a humble but confident hero, who is devoted to his craft and is not intimidated by the devil's challenge. The devil, on the other hand, is a cunning adversary who tries to cheat and manipulate his way to victory.
Line by Line Meaning
The devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal
The devil went to Georgia looking to steal someone's soul.
He was in a bind, cause he was way behind
The devil was in trouble because he was behind in his work.
And he was willing to make a deal
He was willing to make a deal to win a soul.
Well he come across a young man sawing on a fiddle and he played it hot
The devil came across a young man playing the fiddle skillfully.
The devil jumped up on a hickory stump
The devil got up on a stump to speak to the young man.
And said "boy, let me tell you what
The devil spoke to the boy and said:
In case you didn't know it, I'm a fiddle player too
The devil told the boy that he too played the fiddle.
And if you care to make a dare
The devil challenged the boy to a bet.
I'll make a bet with you
The devil proposed a bet to the boy.
Now you play pretty good fiddle, son but give the devil his due
The devil acknowledged the boy's skill but claimed to be better.
I'll bet a fiddle of gold against your soul
The devil bet his golden fiddle against the boy's soul.
Cause I think I'm better than you!
The devil claimed to be better than the boy.
Well the boy said "my name's johnny, and it might be a sin
The boy revealed his name as Johnny and agreed to the bet.
But I'll take your bet you're gonna regret
Johnny accepted the devil's bet and claimed the devil would regret it.
Cause I'm the best there's ever been!
Johnny claimed to be the best fiddle player ever.
Johnny rosin up your bow and play your fiddle hard
The devil asked Johnny to play the fiddle and put effort into it.
Cause hell's broke loose in Georgia
The devil suggested playfully that there was chaos in Georgia.
And the devil deals the cards
The devil was in charge of the game and would shuffle the cards.
And if you win you'll get this shiny fiddle made of gold
If Johnny won, he would get the devil's golden fiddle.
But if you lose the devil gets your soul
If Johnny lost, the devil would get his soul.
The devil opened up his case, and said, "I'll start this show"
The devil opened his fiddle case and began to play.
And fire flew from his finger tips as he rosined up his bow
The devil played with intensity, causing his fingers to produce sparks.
When he pulled that bow across the strings, it made an evil hiss
The devil's fiddle produced a haunting sound.
And a band of demons joined in, it sounded just like this
A group of demons joined in on the music with the devil.
When the devil finished, johnny said, "well you're pretty good old son
After the devil finished playing, Johnny praised his talent.
But just sit down in that chair right there and let me show you how it's done"
Johnny offered to show the devil how to really play the fiddle.
He played fire on the mountain, run, boys, run
Johnny played a popular song while urging others to dance along.
The devil's in the house with the rising sun
Johnny sang about the devil being in the house as the sun rose.
Chicken in the breadpan picking out dough
Johnny sung a nonsense lyric to accompany his fiddling.
Granny does your dog bite, "no, child, no"
Johnny sang another nonsense lyric to accompany his fiddling.
The devil bowed his head because he knew that he'd been beat
After Johnny played, the devil knew he had lost the bet.
And he laid that golden fiddle on the ground at johnny's feet
The devil gave Johnny the golden fiddle as per their bet.
And johnny said, "devil, come on back if you ever want to try again
Johnny offered the devil a chance at redemption and another bet.
But I told you once, you son of a bitch, I'm the best there's ever been!"
Johnny exclaimed that he was the best fiddle player, and the devil should not try him again.
Contributed by Colton W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@chriszablocki2460
I think Blues Traveler Four was the first cd I bought with my own money as a kid. With my penny saver delivery job. I was either 10 or eleven.
@chriszablocki2460
Kids should not run around unattended these days. That's just the reality of affairs.
@reddesert5942
This is so awesome!!
@mamadukes420
I was there with my nephew
@RockStarOscarStern634
RIP Charlie Daniels
@batman22450
Get it daddy
@ClassicTVMan1981X
Alvin & the Chipmunks reference here: John Popper can rightfully lay claim to receiving a golden harmonica for his playing speed on this rendition.
@rizzolovesryan
What are the tabs, thank you.
@CrustyCurnTV
not quite my tempo
@angelafgilmore
Wow That sounded like a train wreck. Maybe it was the space they were in. Or the audio on the recording device. I had greater expectations love these guys...