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/
Simple Man
Charlie Daniels Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They call me a redneck I reckon that I am
But there's things going on
That make me mad down to the core.
I have to work like a dog to make ends meet
There's crooked politicians and crime in the street
And I'm madder'n hell and I ain't gonna take it no more.
We tell our kids to just say no
Then some panty waist judge lets a drug dealer go
Slaps him on the wrist and then he turns him back out on the town.
Now if I had my way with people sellin' dope
I'd take a big tall tree and a short piece of rope
I'd hang 'em up high and let 'em swing 'til the sun goes down
Well, you know what's wrong with the world today
People done gone and put their Bible's away
They're living by the law of the jungle not the law of the land
The good book says it so I know it's the truth
An eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth
You better watch where you go and remember where you been
That's the way I see it I'm a Simple Man.
Now I'm the kinda man that'd not harm a mouse
But if I catch somebody breakin in my house
I've got twelve gauge shotgun waiting on the other side
So don't go pushing me against my will
I don't want to have to fight you but I dern sure will
So if you don't want trouble then you'd better just pass me on by
As far as I'm concerned there ain't no excuse
For the raping and the killing and the child abuse
And I've got a way to put an end to all that mess
Just take them rascals 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
You know what's wrong with the world today
People done gone and put their Bible's away
They're living by the law of the jungle not the law of the land
The Good Book says it so I know it's the truth
An eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth
You better watch where you go and remember where you been
That's the way I see it I'm a simple man
The lyrics of the song Simple Man by Charlie Daniels express frustration with the state of society and the world at large. The singer acknowledges that he is a simple man and a redneck, but he is still upset by the corruption and crime that he sees. He works hard, but it seems like everything is stacked against him. He is especially angry about drug dealers getting off too easily and the prevalence of rape, killing, and child abuse. He has a solution he thinks would work, which is to take the criminals out to the swamp and let nature take its course.
In many ways, this song expresses a desire for a return to a more simple and just society. The singer believes in the Biblical principle of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, and he believes that people need to remember where they've been in order to make the world a better place. He also believes in the importance of defending oneself and one's property, as demonstrated by his shotgun. Overall, the song is a reflection of the frustration many people feel with the state of the world and a call to action to make things better.
Line by Line Meaning
I ain't nothin' but a simple man
I am a straightforward and uncomplicated person
They call me a redneck I reckon that I am
I am often referred to as a redneck, and I do not deny it
But there's things going on
However, certain events are happening
That make me mad down to the core.
These events incite a deep anger within me
I have to work like a dog to make ends meet
I have to work very hard to get by financially
There's crooked politicians and crime in the street
The presence of corrupt politicians and rampant crime in the streets is very distressing to me
And I'm madder'n hell and I ain't gonna take it no more.
I have had enough and I am feeling extremely angry
We tell our kids to just say no
We encourage our children to refuse drugs
Then some panty waist judge lets a drug dealer go
However, some lenient judge releases a drug dealer with minimal punishment
Slaps him on the wrist and then he turns him back out on the town.
The judge imposes a minor penalty and allows the offender to return to society
Now if I had my way with people sellin' dope
If I could have my way over drug dealers
I'd take a big tall tree and a short piece of rope
I would hang drug dealers from a the tallest tree using a short piece of rope
I'd hang 'em up high and let 'em swing 'til the sun goes down
I would let them hang until sunset and take notice
Well, you know what's wrong with the world today
The issues that plague society are well known
People done gone and put their Bible's away
People have disregarded religion and morality
They're living by the law of the jungle not the law of the land
Instead of following civil laws, people now adhere to savage, barbaric principles
The good book says it so I know it's the truth
The Bible confirms my beliefs as truthful
An eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth
Justice must be served equally and fairly, with punishment that fits the crime
You better watch where you go and remember where you been
Be mindful of your past and present actions and their potential effects
That's the way I see it I'm a Simple Man.
This is my view on the matter, and I am a straightforward person
Now I'm the kinda man that'd not harm a mouse
Normally, I am not inclined towards violence, even against small creatures
But if I catch somebody breakin in my house
However, if someone attempts to break into my house
I've got twelve gauge shotgun waiting on the other side
I have a twelve gauge shotgun that I will use to defend myself
So don't go pushing me against my will
Do not antagonize me purposely
I don't want to have to fight you but I dern sure will
I would prefer not to fight, but I will defend myself and my property if I must
So if you don't want trouble then you'd better just pass me on by
If you want to avoid potential conflict, it is best to avoid me and my belongings
As far as I'm concerned there ain't no excuse
In my opinion, there is no justification
For the raping and the killing and the child abuse
These reprehensible acts - sexual assault, murder, and child molestation - cannot be condoned
And I've got a way to put an end to all that mess
I have thought of a solution to eliminate such atrocities
Just take them rascals out in the swamp
The solution is to take the perpetrators to the swamp
Put 'em on their knees and tie 'em to a stump
Force them to kneel and tie them to a tree trunk
Let the rattlers and the bugs and the alligators do the rest
Use nature to inflict punishment, using snakes, insects, and alligators
You know what's wrong with the world today
The problems with the world are still present
People done gone and put their Bible's away
Once again, people have cast aside religion and morality
They're living by the law of the jungle not the law of the land
They are governed by savagery, not civil laws
The Good Book says it so I know it's the truth
I believe the Bible is the guide to lead a moral life
An eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth
Punishment should be proportionate to the crime committed
You better watch where you go and remember where you been
Be conscious of your past, present, and potential repercussions of your actions
That's the way I see it I'm a simple man
This is my outlook and philosophy towards life, and I am not complex
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Charles Fred Edwards, Charlie Daniels, John Louis Gavin, William J. Digregorio
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CountryCast
Who is here in 2020 paying tribute to the legend?
@mrchildgrownold3852
We are here, RIP Charlie
@dalton6.2
Right here man
@hazaeltorres6302
We’re here 😓 RIP hero
@deadbyyeehaw8237
Hazael Torres he is with the gambler now
@samuelmcbride9797
@Dead by Yeehaw tour dates still under the video :'(. RIP
@davidmaynard5092
This song came out in 1989 and is even more relevant now than it was then. Thanks for all the great music Charlie Daniels Band.
@jakemandude7974
Jesus Loves you Matthew 11:28 come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. As well as Romans 6:23 for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God (Jesus who died on the cross for our sins) is eternal life. As long as you put your faith and trust in Him.😊!!!
@MrWheat-oy2vm
Amen
@FREEDOM_2022oN
Wow! I was born in 89! It’s 33. When you awaken, the lyrics are more real then ever eh? Amen for this song! I say a reel and was like, I know this. Praise God and bless my parents for being simple.