Daniels is a singer, guitarist, and fiddler, who began writing and performing in the 1950s. In 1964, Daniels co-wrote "It Hurts Me", a song which Elvis Presley recorded. He worked as a Nashville session musician, often for producer Bob Johnston, including playing on three Bob Dylan albums during 1969 and 1970, and recordings by Johnny Cash and Leonard Cohen. Daniels recorded his first solo album, Charlie Daniels, in 1971 (see 1971 in country music). His first hit, the novelty song "Uneasy Rider", was from his 1973 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 often playing with members of Barefoot Jerry. Except for a three-year gap in the late 1980s, these jams have continued ever since.
In 1975, he had a top 30 hit as leader of the Charlie Daniels Band 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. The following year, "Devil" became a major crossover success on rock radio stations, after its inclusion on the soundtrack for the hit movie Urban Cowboy. The song is by far Daniels' greatest success, still receiving regular airplay on U.S. classic rock and country stations, and is well-known even among audiences who eschew country music in general. A hard rock/heavy metal cover version of the song was also included in the video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock as the final guitar battle against the last boss (the devil). Daniels has openly stated his opposition to the metal cover and the devil winning occasionally in the game. [2]
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 1980, Daniels participated in the country music concept album, The Legend of Jesse James.
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.
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". In 2006, he appeared with Little Richard, Bootsy Collins, and other musicians as the backup band for Williams' opening sequence to Monday Night Football.
In November 2007, Daniels was invited by Martina McBride to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. [3] He was inducted by Marty Stuart and Connie Smith during the January 19, 2008 edition of the Opry at the Ryman Auditorium. [4]
Daniels now resides in Mount Juliet, TN, where the city has named a park after him. Daniels continues to tour regularly. Daniels appeared in commercials for UPS in 2001 with other celebrities convincing NASCAR driver Dale Jarrett to race the UPS Truck.
Daniels describes himself as a born again Christian.
Charlie Daniels played fiddle on many of The Marshall Tucker Band's early albums. Charlie played on the bands albums: "A New Life", "Where We All Belong", "Searchin' For A Rainbow", "Long Hard Ride" and "Carolina Dreams". Charlie can also be heard on the bands live album recorded in Milwaukee,WI on July 11,1974.
In addition to the Marshall Tucker Band, Charlie also played fiddle on Hank Williams,Jr's 1975 album "Hank Williams Jr & Friends". Toy Caldwell can also be heard on this classic album.
'The Charlie Daniels Band' is also on Last.fm as 'Charlie Daniels Band'.
Texas
The Charlie Daniels Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out with the cows and the Lone Star beer
Where the livin' and lovin' is quite all right with me
Well they call it Texas and it's a mighty fine place to be
Runs from Texarkana to El Paso
And Oklahoma down to old Mexico
And there's Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antone
They just want everybody to leave them alone
While they drink their whiskey and roll their own
And they like their music with a little bit of southern sound
They kick up their heels every evening when the sun goes down
And you can call them country and they don't care
And if you don't like the way they wear their hair
You can take your like and shove 'em on up the line
People in Texas don't care if the sun don't shine
In "Texas," The Charlie Daniels Band extol the virtues of the Lone Star State, lauding its beauty and culture. Daniels sings of a place where the living and loving are quite all right, where people just want to be left alone to enjoy their Texas-sized portions of whiskey and rolls-your-own tobacco. But Texas is more than just a place to indulge - it's a big state with a unique personality, where the people are friendly and the music is a reflection of the land itself. From Texarkana to El Paso, and from Oklahoma to old Mexico, Texas is a place where all are welcome, as long as they share a love for the state and its people.
The song also highlights the unique aspects of Texas culture that make it stand apart from the rest of the country. Texans are fiercely proud of their state and its history, and as such, they have their own distinct way of doing things. From the way they wear their hair to the music they listen to, people in Texas are resolute in their refusal to conform to anyone else's standards. They like their music with a little bit of southern sound, and they kick up their heels every evening when the sun goes down. They are not bothered by what others think of them, preferring instead to live life on their own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a place not too far away from here
Texas is a neighboring state
Out with the cows and the Lone Star beer
There are many cows in Texas and the beer of choice is Lone Star
Where the livin' and lovin' is quite all right with me
Texas is a great place to live and love
Well they call it Texas and it's a mighty fine place to be
Texas is known as a great place to be
Runs from Texarkana to El Paso
Texas stretches from Texarkana to El Paso
And Oklahoma down to old Mexico
Texas borders Oklahoma and Mexico
And there's Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antone
Texas has major cities like Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio
People in Texas sure do make you feel at home
Texans are very hospitable and welcoming
They just want everybody to leave them alone
Texans value their independence and privacy
While they drink their whiskey and roll their own
Texans enjoy drinking whiskey and smoking their own rolled cigarettes
And they like their music with a little bit of southern sound
Texans love country music with a southern twang
They kick up their heels every evening when the sun goes down
Texans love to dance and have fun in the evenings
And you can call them country and they don't care
Texans are proud of their country roots and don't mind being called country
And if you don't like the way they wear their hair
Texans have their own unique style and don't care if others don't like it
You can take your like and shove 'em on up the line
Texans don't care if others don't like them and will tell them to leave
People in Texas don't care if the sun don't shine
Texans don't let bad weather or outside opinions affect their happiness
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLES EDWARD DANIELS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Toro53
Good, good ... really good !
Been in Texas 3 times and felt in love with this beautiful State. ❤
Greetings from Switzerland 🇨🇭
Eric Martinez
God bless Texas the state I was born and raised and all I've ever known! ....play that fiddle hard Charlie!👏 🎻✊
Brigitte R
What a fun time they were all having!!! I have never heard this song. I guess living in Texas, I see this all the time, know this is how we are here and I don't know how I missed this song. Its great!!! RIP Charlie Daniels, and play your golden fiddle for the MAN Jesus!
jennifersman
I think it first appeared on Charlie’s 3rd album but where I REALLY fell in love with it was when it was played over the opening credits of the movie Urban Cowboy
JohnnyCash
I'm a Tennessee boy born and raised and will always be. But GOD BLESS TEXAS AS WELL.
Dylan Page
Same here Texas pride🤠🐂
Gracie Davis
LOVE THE MAN - LOVE THE BAND - LOVE THE MUSIC!!!!
Chris Cisneros
This man was a good man that played nothing but good songs. R.I.P Charlie Daniels
Howard Alexander
RIP here is another shoe that'll never be filled. True to the end, now play that golden fiddle sir! Thanks for always loving this country.
MTfanatic5687
Rest easy Charlie. Sing in the angel band.