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 Again
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 lyrics to The South's Gonna Do It Again by the Charlie Daniels Band celebrates the rich and diverse music culture of the American South, with references to various artists and bands from different states of the region. The first stanza talks about the train to Grinder's Switch, which was a reference to Uncle Dave Macon, a legendary banjo player from Tennessee who used to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. The Tucker Boys mentioned in the song are likely to be the Tackett Brothers, a rock band from South Carolina. The mention of Lynyrd Skynyrd, a southern rock band from Florida who famously sang about the state in their hit song "Sweet Home Alabama", highlights the popularity of the genre in the South. Richard Betts was a guitarist for The Allman Brothers Band, also from Florida, who played a pivotal role in popularizing southern rock as a genre.
The second stanza mentions other iconic artists from the South. Elvin Bishop, a blues guitarist from California who moved to Oklahoma and later to Chicago, is referenced for his contribution to blues music. ZZ Top, a rock band from Texas, gained huge popularity in the 1980s with their unique blend of blues, rock, and boogie music. The mention of brother Willie getting soaking wet is likely to be a reference to Willie Nelson's habit of smoking marijuana. Barefoot Jerry and C.D.B, cited in the song, refer to two bands from Tennessee - Barefoot Jerry was a country rock band while C.D.B. stood for Charlie Daniels Band, the artist performing the song.
The song is a tribute to the South and its music, celebrating the cultural richness and diversity of the region. The lyrics are a reflection of the pride that southerners have in their heritage and their music. The upbeat melody and the energetic chorus of the song exude a sense of optimism and hope, reflecting the belief that the South will continue to produce great music that will impact the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, the train to Grinder's Switch is runnin' right on time
The train that runs to Grinder's Switch is running on schedule.
And them Tucker Boys are cookin' down in Caroline
The Tucker Boys are performing well in Caroline.
People down in Florida can't be still
The people in Florida are excited and can't sit still.
When ol' Lynyrd Skynrd's pickin' down in Jacksonville
People in Florida are excited to see Lynyrd Skynyrd perform in Jacksonville.
People down in Georgia come from near and far
Georgia residents travel from various distances to be a part of the music scene.
To hear Richard Betts pickin' on that red guitar
People gather to hear Richard Betts play guitar.
Elvin Bishop sittin' on a bale of hay
Elvin Bishop is sitting on a bale of hay.
He ain't good lookin', but he sure can play
Elvin Bishop may not be physically attractive but he is talented in playing.
And there's ZZ Top and you can't forget
ZZ Top is also present and cannot be forgotten.
That old brother Willie's gettin' soakin' wet
Willie is getting wet, possibly from a performance or activity.
And all the good people down in Tennessee
The people in Tennessee are known to be good.
Are diggin' barefoot Jerry and C.D.B
People are enjoying the music by Barefoot Jerry and C.D.B.
So gather 'round, gather 'round chillin'
Everyone should come together and prepare to chill and enjoy the music.
Get down, well just get down chillin'
Everyone should loosen up and dance along.
Get loud, well you can be loud and be proud
Feel free to get loud and express your enthusiasm.
Well you can be proud, hear now
Everyone should be proud of their heritage and location.
Be proud you're a rebel
Take pride in being a rebel.
'Cause the South's gonna do it again and again
This is because the southern music scene is vibrant and successful.
Lyrics Β© 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! Canβt wait to see a Heaven Woodstock one day! Iβm 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