Daniels began writing and performing in the 1950s. In 1964, Daniels wrote a song called "It Hurts Me" which Elvis Presley recorded. He worked as a session musician, including playing on three Bob Dylan albums during 1969 and 1970. Daniels recorded his first solo album, Charlie Daniels, in 1970. His first hit, the novelty song "Uneasy Rider", came off his 1972 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. Except for a three-year gap in the late 1980s, these have continued ever since.
In 1975, he had a top 30 hit as leader of the Charlie Daniels Band (CDB) 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.
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 the late 1980s and 1990s several of Daniels' albums and singles were hits on the country charts. Daniels also released several gospel and Christian records.
Charlie Daniels has never shied away from politics. "The South's Gonna Do It" had a mild message of Southern cultural identity within the Southern rock movement. Daniels was an early supporter of Jimmy Carter's presidential bid and performed at his January 1977 inauguration.
"In America" was a reaction to the 1979-1981 Iran Hostage Crisis; it described a patriotic, united America where "we'll all stick together and you can take that to the bank / That's the cowboys and the hippies and the rebels and the yanks." In contrast, "Still in Saigon" (written by Dan Daley) was an effective portrayal of the plight of the American Vietnam veteran ten years after the war; it was part of an early 1980s wave of attention to the subject, in contrast to treatments such as Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." and "Shut Out the Light", Billy Joel's "Goodnight Saigon", and somewhat later Steve Earle's "Copperhead Road".
In 1990, Daniels' country hit "Simple Man" seemingly advocated a pseudo-Biblical form of vigilantism; lines such as "Just take them [rapists, killers, child abusers] out in the swamp / Put 'em on their knees and tie 'em to a stump / Let the rattlers and the bugs and the alligators do the rest," got Daniels considerable media attention and talk show visits.
In 2003, Daniels published an Open Letter to the Hollywood Bunch in defence of George W. Bush's Iraq policy. His 2003 book Ain't No Rag: Freedom, Family, and the Flag contains this letter as well as many other personal statements. During the 2004 presidential campaign, Daniels acknowledged that having never served in the military himself, he did not have the right to criticize John Kerry's service record.
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", whose album has been released.
In November 2007, Daniels was invited by Martina McBride to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
In October 2016, Daniels officially became a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
On October 26, 2018, Daniels released a new side album project that was not solo or CDB, but a new band called Beau Weevils, along with CDB bass player, Charlie Hayward, producer James Stroud on drums and Billy Crain on guitar.
The South's Gonna Do It
Charlie Daniels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the Tucker boys are cookin' down in Caroline
People down in Florida can't be still
When old Lynyrd Skynyrd's pickin' down in Jacksonville
People down in Georgia come from near and far
To hear Richard Betts pickin' on that red guitar
So gather 'round, now gather 'round, children
Get loud, well, you can be loud here and be proud
And you can be proud here
Now be proud to a rebel 'cause South's gon' do it again and again
Elvin Bishop's sittin' on a bale of hay
He ain't good lookin' but he sure can play
And there's ZZ Top and you can't forget
That old brother Willie's gettin' soakin' wet
And all the good people down in Tennessee
Are diggin' barefoot Jerry and the CDB
Well, gather 'round, gather 'round, children
And get down, well you can get down, children
Get loud, well you can get loud here and be proud
Well, you can be proud here
Be proud to a rebel 'cause South's gon' do it again, yes, it is
"The South" is a song that celebrates the music and culture of the American South. The lyrics describe various musicians and bands, from Lynyrd Skynyrd to ZZ Top, and mention specific locations within the South, such as Grinder's Switch in Tennessee and Caroline in Virginia. Throughout the song, the lyrics encourage people to gather together and be proud of their Southern heritage.
One interesting aspect of the lyrics is their focus on Southern rock and country rock bands, which were popular in the 1970s when the song was released. The references to specific musicians, such as Richard Betts and Barefoot Jerry, also demonstrate the prominence of these artists within the Southern music scene. Another interesting feature of the lyrics is the mention of Elvin Bishop, a blues guitarist and singer who was born in California but later moved to the South, suggesting that the song celebrates not just Southern artists but also those who have been influenced by Southern music.
Line by Line Meaning
Well the train to Grinder's Switch is runnin' right on time
The train to Grinder's Switch is on schedule, nothing is out of order or off track.
And the Tucker boys are cookin' down in Caroline
The Tucker family is cooking delicious food in Caroline, indicating the region's rich cultural and culinary traditions.
People down in Florida can't be still
The music from Lynyrd Skynyrd is so good that people in Florida cannot sit still and must get up to dance and enjoy the tunes.
When old Lynyrd Skynyrd's pickin' down in Jacksonville
The famous southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd is performing in Jacksonville, and drawing a huge, enthusiastic crowd.
People down in Georgia come from near and far
People from all over Georgia come to see Richard Betts perform on his guitar, showing the deep appreciation of music and talent in the southern states.
To hear Richard Betts pickin' on his red guitar
Music is such a cherished heritage in the South that people travel from afar just to hear the talented Richard Betts play his guitar.
[Chorus]
The chorus encourages people to come together, dance, make noise, and be proud to be a rebel, and to revel in the rich culture and traditions of the southern United States.
Elvin Bishop's sittin' on a bale of hay
The famous musician Elvin Bishop is seated on a hay bale, emphasizing the strong connection between music and agriculture in the South.
He ain't good lookin' but he sure can play
Despite not having conventional good looks, Elvin Bishop is highly regarded for his musical talent, emphasizing the importance of substance over style in the South.
And there's ZZ Top and you can't forget
ZZ Top, another famous southern rock band, is also performing, and it would be a grave error to overlook them.
That old brother Willie's gettin' soakin' wet
The music is so good that Willie Nelson is enjoying it so much he is sweating profusely, highlighting the incredible energy and passion of live music in the South.
And all the good people down in Tennessee
Tennessee is full of good people who love and appreciate southern music, yet another testament to the strong culture and traditions of the region.
Are diggin' barefoot Jerry and the CDB
Barefoot Jerry and the Charlie Daniels Band are hugely popular southern musicians who are beloved in Tennessee, reflecting the deep connection between music and local pride in the South.
[Chorus]
The chorus repeated once again, encouraging people to come together, dance, make noise, and be proud to be a rebel, and to revel in the rich culture and traditions of the southern United States.
And again... yes it is
The song and the sentiments it expresses will continue to ring true again and again, as the rich music and cultural heritage of the South endures.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charles Edward Daniels
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@onetakeadventureswithjoeld4679
WHEN being proud of the south was just fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@shawnn5213
It still is! You keep that spirit. The South is the only place in America to be
@kingbillycokebottle5484
I'm an Aussie. You southerners are the closest things to brothers we have, don't you dare let that anglo-celtic fire die. Eureka and Dixie, sister rebels that will rise again. The world shall know the heat of the anglo-celtic fighting man once more.
Sister rebels forever.
Fun fact 84 Aussie sailors abandoned ship in Florida to join the CSA navy.
@davidward2753
I worked personal security for Mr Daniels in the mid eighties, and this was Exactly how all his shows were. High energy, dead on perfect.
@Pinky-lg3lz
American by birth, Southern by the grace of God.
@randyharbaugh7819
RIP Charlie, heaven just got a heck of a fiddle player for the band
@davidlehner5401
He's playin with Jimmy Prince John Paul Waylon Little Richard John Lennon Jon Bonham with Elvis Ronnie van Zandt and Johnny Cash on the mic!
@ladyscarfaceangel4616
David Lehner
Hellz yeah! Bon Scott, Joplin, Cobain! The list goes on! Can’t wait to see a Heaven Woodstock one day! I’m glad I got to see the CDB the few times I was lucky enough to.
@zeecet2457
Charlie was a County Music/Southern Rock Pioneer
@redwolfpiping5701
Yup, Charlie and Johnny are going to play a heck of music now