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/
Southern Boy
Charlie Daniels Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the honky tonks are jumping and the girls are looking good
Yeah, I get excited and some people think I'm rude
It's the way my daddy raised me it's my rebel attitude
I'm a southern boy
Southern born and bred
I've got Sweet Home Alabama buzzing all around in my head
Yeah I'd be happy anywhere below that Mason-Dixon line
A working and a sweating 'til I hear that whistle blow
Country rock a cooking on my pick-up radio
I rush home for a shower and put on my dancing shoes
I get the Friday fever and the Sunday morning blues
I'm a southern boy
I like a rowdy crowd
Put Bocephus on the jukebox and turn that sucker way up loud
Don't need a reservation
We're just a-having fun
Yeah it's party time in Dixie
Ya'll just come on down and get ya some
From Rockingham to Birmingham
Mobile to New Orleans
Jacksonville to Copper Hill
Pike to Bowling Green
Layfayette to Somerset
Boone to Rocky Mount
If you don't live in Dixie then
You're only camping out
I'm a southern boy
I say my sirs and ma'ams
I'm kinda rough around the edges but I'm mighty proud of who I am
Roll on Mississippi rock on Tennessee
If it was good enough for Elvis you know it's good enough for me
I said, if it was good enough for Elvis you know it's good enough for me
Well if the King was crazy 'bout it then you know it's good enough for me
The Charlie Daniels Band's song "Southern Boy" is an anthem for anyone from the South, especially those with a rebellious streak. The lyrics describe the ease with which a country boy can be misunderstood by those who don't understand Southern culture. The honky tonks and Southern belles are all part of the way of life, and the excitement that comes with it can sometimes be seen as rude by outsiders. However, the singer explains that this is just the way he was raised by his daddy, and it's a part of his rebel attitude.
The chorus of the song reaffirms the singer's Southern heritage, as he proudly proclaims himself to be a "southern boy." He takes pride in his roots, whether he's in his home state of Georgia, in neighboring Carolina, or anywhere below the Mason-Dixon line. He loves the Southern way of life, from the hard work and sweating to the country rock music and rowdy crowds. For him, there's nothing like a night out with friends, listening to Bocephus on the jukebox, and having some good old-fashioned Southern fun.
The song references several Southern cities and towns, from Rockingham to Birmingham, Mobile to New Orleans, and beyond. It celebrates the unique culture and way of life found in that part of the country. The singer proudly says his "sirs and ma'ams," and while he may be rough around the edges, he's proud of who he is. To him, if it was good enough for Elvis, it's good enough for him too.
Line by Line Meaning
Well it's easy for a country boy to be misunderstood
Being from the country can make it hard for people to relate or understand me
When the honky tonks are jumping and the girls are looking good
When I go out to party and have a good time, it can be misconstrued as me being inappropriate
Yeah, I get excited and some people think I'm rude
My enthusiasm can sometimes come across as impolite or disrespectful
It's the way my daddy raised me it's my rebel attitude
My upbringing and independent mindset contribute to the way I behave and act
I'm a southern boy
I come from the southern part of the United States
Southern born and bred
I was born and raised in the southern part of the United States
I've got Sweet Home Alabama buzzing all around in my head
Southern and specifically Alabama culture and lifestyle are deeply ingrained in me
I'm right at home in Georgia or down in Caroline
I feel comfortable and connected to the southern region, no matter which specific state I am in
Yeah I'd be happy anywhere below that Mason-Dixon line
As long as I am in the southern part of the United States, I am content
A working and a sweating 'til I hear that whistle blow
I work hard and put in effort until it is time for a break or rest
Country rock a cooking on my pick-up radio
I enjoy listening to and playing country rock music while driving my pickup truck
I rush home for a shower and put on my dancing shoes
After work, I quickly clean up and prepare myself for a night of fun and dancing
I get the Friday fever and the Sunday morning blues
I feel excited for the weekend and its festivities, yet a bit down once it is all over
I like a rowdy crowd
I prefer a lively and energetic group of people
Put Bocephus on the jukebox and turn that sucker way up loud
Playing loud music from artist Hank Williams Jr. is a surefire way to get me and my friends hyped up
Don't need a reservation
I am not very formal and prefer things to be relaxed and easygoing
We're just a-having fun
We are simply enjoying ourselves and having a good time
Yeah it's party time in Dixie
The southern region is known for its lively parties and celebrations
Ya'll just come on down and get ya some
Everyone is welcome to join in on the fun and festivities
If you don't live in Dixie then
If you are not from the southern part of the United States
You're only camping out
You are not fully experiencing or immersed in southern culture
I say my sirs and ma'ams
I have been taught to be respectful and courteous to others
I'm kinda rough around the edges but I'm mighty proud of who I am
I may not be perfect, but I am confident and content with who I am and where I come from
Roll on Mississippi rock on Tennessee
I support and take pride in the southern region and its specific states
If it was good enough for Elvis you know it's good enough for me
If the famous musician Elvis Presley hailed from and enjoyed the southern lifestyle, then it must be worthwhile and positive
Contributed by Hailey P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@m4catky
Rest in Peace Charlie and God Bless your loved ones behind.
@carolineantley4144
This is absolutely one of my favorite songs and Charlie Daniels is one of my favorite singers.
@purpleorange7430
Southern and proud!!! 🤘
@estherwheat3706
I love this!!! Two of my favorites singing about one of my favorite subjects!!!!
@user-tr3kf9hs6g
2 Fun Entertainers & Musicians!
@brianginn6075
I've always loved CDB. Their music always seems to hit me right in the heart. Southern born and bred. Rest in peace Mr. Daniels. Keep that fiddle tuned and saw it hard for the lord
@user-tr3kf9hs6g
Their BANDS are Out of this World Awesome TOO!
@TheMetallica22
Amazing song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@joshbuckner2866
Very cool
@wbrianna27
one of my absolute favourites!!!