The Charlie Daniels Band was formed in 1970, with Charlie Daniels joined by Barry Barnes (guitar), Mark Fitzgerald (bass), Fred Edwards and Gary Allen (drums), and Taz DiGregorio (keyboards). They started recording southern rock-styled albums for Kama Sutra. Although a multi-instrumentalist, Daniels was a limited vocalist, but his voice was well suited to the talking-style "Uneasy Rider", which reached the US Top 10 in 1973. He followed it with his anthem for southern rock, "The South's Gonna Do It". In 1974, Daniels had members of The Marshall Tucker Band and The Allman Brothers Band join him onstage in Nashville. It was so successful that he decided to make his so-called Volunteer Jam an annual event. It led to some unlikely combinations of artists such as James Brown performing with Roy Acuff, and the stylistic mergers have included Crystal Gayle singing the blues with the Charlie Daniels Band.
The Charlie Daniels Band underwent some personnel changes on 1975's 'Nightrider", with Tom Crain, Charlie Hayward and Don Murray replacing Barnes, Fitzgerald and Allen respectively. When Daniels moved to Epic in 1976, there was a concerted effort to turn the band into a major concert attraction, despite the fact that at 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 20 stone Daniels was no teenage idol: he hid his face under an oversized cowboy hat. The albums sold well, and in 1979, when recording his "Million Mile Reflections" album, he recalled a 20s poem, "The Mountain Whipporwill", by Stephen Vincent Benet. The band developed this into "The Devil Went Down To Georgia", in which Johnny outplays the Devil to win a gold fiddle. Daniels overdubbed his fiddle seven times to create an atmospheric recording that topped the US country charts and reached number 3 in the US pop charts. It was also a UK Top 20 success.
In 1980 the band recorded "In America" for the hostages in Iran, and then in 1982, "Still In Saigon", about Vietnam. The band were featured on the soundtrack for Urban Cowboy and also recorded the theme for the Burt Reynolds movie "Stroker Ace". The 13th Volunteer Jam was held in 1987, but financial and time constraints meant the event was put on temporary hiatus (it resumed four years later). In the late 80s Daniels appeared in the movie "Lone Star Kid" and published a book of short stories, but continued touring and playing his southern boogie to adoring audiences.
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.
http://www.charliedaniels.com/
Rainbow Ride
Charlie Daniels Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back the way I came I was returning
And then I saw me standing just across the river
Just across the bridge that I?d left burning
It was all reaching out to me
Now my reflection in the water?s all I see
Back to the laughing green of summer days
(Flew away)
Back to the chilly golden autumn haze
(Flew away)
To a place called yesterday
(Yesterday)
Come on in and sit down
It?s good to be in your town
We're gonna take you for a rainbow ride
There's no excuse not to relax and get loose
And let us take you for a rainbow ride
It?s been a long, hard day
But now it?s time to play
?Cause we've got it all planned
We're gonna strike up the band
We're gonna take you for a rainbow ride
When the sunlight finally blossoms way up high
Purple shadows fall across the countryside
We could get together for a rainbow ride
Close your eyes and let it happen
Bright and breezy, nice and easy
Hold on while the music takes you way up high
We can race the moon across the evening sky
See the night time rainbow colors flying by
Close your eyes and let it happen
Rising, falling, gently calling you
Let the evening fly away
While you're dreamin?
Come on, take that rainbow ride with me
Let the evening fly away
While you're dreamin?
Come on, take that rainbow ride with me
Come on, take that rainbow ride with me
Come on, take that rainbow ride with me
The song "Rainbow Ride" by The Charlie Daniels Band is a beautiful composition that captures a feeling of nostalgia and longing for the past. The beginning of the song reflects the feeling of going back in time and retracing footsteps through the sands of yesterday. The lyrics go on to convey an image of coming face to face with one's own reflection and the realization that the past cannot be changed. The imagery of the bridge left burning highlights the permanency of the past and the inability to retrace one's footsteps.
However, the tone of the song changes with the chorus, inviting listeners to come in and take a rainbow ride. The lyrics encourage the listener to relax, get loose, and let the music take them away. The lyrics are an invitation to forget the past and live in the present, enjoying a rainbow ride with friends.
Overall, the song captures the feeling of nostalgia and the desire for the fleeting moments of happiness in the present. The song exemplifies the notion of living in the moment and forgetting the past.
Line by Line Meaning
I traced my footprints through the sands of yesterday
I looked back on my past experiences and memories
Back the way I came I was returning
I was retracing my steps
And then I saw me standing just across the river
I saw a version of myself on the other side of the obstacle I created
Just across the bridge that I'd left burning
Across the bridge that I destroyed or burned down
It was all reaching out to me
Everything that I left behind or destroyed was calling out to me
Now my reflection in the water's all I see
I see only myself and what I have done in the present
(Then it flew away) Back to the laughing green of summer days (Flew away) Back to the chilly golden autumn haze (Flew away) To a place called yesterday (Yesterday)
Memories of happier times and seasons of life have passed and can never be fully recaptured
Come on in and sit down
Let's get comfortable
It's good to be in your town
I'm glad to be here in this place
We're gonna take you for a rainbow ride
We're going to create an enjoyable experience together
There's no excuse not to relax and get loose
Just let go and have fun
And let us take you for a rainbow ride
Let us be your guide in this experience
It's been a long, hard day
The day has been difficult and tiring
But now it's time to play
Now it's time to have fun and relax
Cause we've got it all planned
We have everything organized and prepared
We're gonna strike up the band
We're going to start playing music and having a good time
When the sunlight finally blossoms way up high
Referring to a new day and a fresh start
Purple shadows fall across the countryside
Referring to the beauty of nature
We could get together for a rainbow ride
We could come together and have a fun experience
Close your eyes and let it happen
Just let everything unfold and enjoy the moment
Bright and breezy, nice and easy
Referring to a pleasant and relaxing experience
Hold on while the music takes you way up high
Allow the music to take you to a higher level of enjoyment
We can race the moon across the evening sky
Referring to a fun and exciting experience
See the night time rainbow colors flying by
Referring to a beautiful and mesmerizing sight
Rising, falling, gently calling you
Referring to the emotional experience of the moment
Let the evening fly away
Let the night and all its troubles pass
While you're dreamin'
When you're lost in your thoughts and dreams
Come on, take that rainbow ride with me
Come with me and let's enjoy this experience together
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLES FRED HAYWARD, CHARLIE DANIELS, FRED EDWARDS, JAMES W. MARSHALL, JOHN CRAIN, WILLIAM J. DIGREGORIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jenelle6132
I was introduced to Charlie Daniels by none other than my Grandpa. I inherited all his records. I was privileged to see Charlie in concert about 20 times. The best!!!
@peaurmph
Charlie Daniels took the Rainbow Ride today - see you on the other side sir.
@jenelle6132
Now he gets to hang out with the ultimate long haired country boy! 👼
@edwardfischer6019
That fusion guitar work out.Killer.All them 70s southern dudes could shred
@steveclark7150
this is the first time i have listened to this album in 44 years, forgot how good it was!!
@rradiofan9768
What an awesome song. Written to answer all the critics of southern country rock. Attempting to prove that they can play an write complex stuff as well as any other genre including Metal and Prog. While I am still a die hard prog fan this song proves their point without any doubt.
@Sometimeslifeiscrazy
Yes!!!
@r0mney
maybe my favorite song by Charlie. I got to meet the man. he was a nice guy. I shook his hand and he autographed "million mile reflections" cd for me. he really plays well to be 78 years old
I can't believe this beautiful song was the B-side of The Devil Went Down To Georgia. This should of been the A-Side!
@EstephanJohannsonRobinson
This is the best song I ever herd I love rainbow ride I had a headache today this song relaxed me best song 😉😆