Though The Dillards were already an established bluegrass band, their biggest claim to fame is performing musically as members of the fictional Darling family on The Andy Griffith Show, introducing bluegrass to many Americans who had never heard it. This was a recurring role and the Dillards were led by veteran character actor Denver Pyle as their father and jug player, Briscoe Darling. Maggie Peterson played Charlene Darling, their sister and the focus for the attentions of character Ernest T. Bass, played by Howard Morris. The appearances of the Dillards as the Darlings ran between 1963 and 1966. In 1986, the Dillards reprised the role in the reunion show Return to Mayberry. As part of their current tour, Rodney Dillard answers questions about the TV series. He says the songs such as "Dooley" are about people the family knew.
On the October 1963 episode "Briscoe Declares for Aunt Bee", the Dillards performed the first wide scale airing of the 1955 Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith composition Feudin' Banjos (Dueling Banjos).
According to Jim Clark of The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club, three albums have been produced with songs performed on the show. Clark says Songs That Make Me Cry is the only one currently available with real performances and has the three songs which included Maggie Peterson, who played Charlene. Back Porch Bluegrass: Live Almost includes five songs that were sung on the show, and Rodney Dillard released another album with the real performances of other songs.
The Dillards are notable for being among the first bluegrass groups to have electrified their instruments in the mid-1960s. They are considered to be one of the pioneers of the burgeoning southern California folk rock, country rock and progressive bluegrass genres, and are known to have directly or indirectly influenced artists such as The Eagles, The Byrds, and Elton John. In 1972, The Dillards joined Elton John on his first American tour. John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin has also acknowledged their influence, particularly in his decision to play the mandolin.
Rodney Dillard is a founding member of The Dillards - the group he formed with his brother, Douglas Dillard in the late 1950s. Credited throughout the years as the driving force behind the group's musical direction, success, and phenomenal longevity as a working act. Today, Dillard's musical duties include lead and harmony vocals, guitar, and dobro.
Beverly Cotten-Dillard is a native of Morrisville, North Carolina who performed with Janette Carter, Ola Belle Reed, Tommy Jarrell, and Doc and Merle Watson. She has appeared on Hee Haw and the Disney Channel and at Carnegie Hall. Cotten-Dillard is recognized as an authority on the traditional "clawhammer" banjo technique and is a featured member of The Dillards live shows. Her 1981 album Clog-In 'is considered an American folk classic."
George Giddens is a classically trained musician who is an awarded fiddler and mandolin player for the band.
Gary J. Smith was added to the lineup, having recorded double bass in the 2015 studio sessions for the new Dillards album. Smith is well known in Nashville circles after stints with Tom T. Hall, The Brother Boys, Ed Snodderly, and his long-time collaborator, Jeff Gilkinson.
Former member, Dean Webb, died at the age of 81, on June 30, 2018.
Somebody Touched Me
The Dillards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While I was singing, somebody touched me,
While I was singing, somebody touched me,
Must have been the hand of the lord.
Glory, glory, glory, somebody touched me,
Glory, glory, glory, somebody touched me,
Glory, glory, glory, somebody touched me,
While I was praying, somebody touched me,
While I was praying, somebody touched me,
While I was praying, somebody touched me,
Must have been the hand of the lord.
Glory, glory, glory, somebody touched me,
Glory, glory, glory, somebody touched me,
Glory, glory, glory, somebody touched me,
Must have been the hand of the lord.
While I was preaching, somebody touched me,
While I was preaching, somebody touched me,
While I was preaching, somebody touched me,
Must have been the hand of the lord.
Glory, glory, glory, somebody touched me,
Glory, glory, glory, somebody touched me,
Glory, glory, glory, somebody touched me,
Must have been the hand of the lord.
Glory, glory, glory, somebody touched me,
Glory, glory, glory, somebody touched me,
Glory, glory, glory, somebody touched me,
Must have been the hand of the lord.
The lyrics of The Dillards's song Somebody Touched Me is a gospel hymn that speaks about the power of divinity. It begins with the singer talking about being touched while singing, which could signify the presence of a higher power. This is followed by similar verses where the singer mentions being touched while praying and preaching, indicating that every act of worship is a pathway to be touched by the divine.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the phrase "Glory, glory, glory, somebody touched me," emphasizes the joy and gratitude that one feels when touched by the divine. It also suggests that the touch of the divine is experienced physically, symbolized by the phrase 'somebody touched me.'
Overall, the song is about the spiritual connection that one can feel during acts of worship and the comfort that can be derived from the touch of the divine.
Line by Line Meaning
While I was singing, somebody touched me,
While I was singing praises to the Lord, I felt a physical touch from someone, and I believe it was the hand of the Lord.
Glory, glory, glory, somebody touched me,
I give glory to the Lord for the touch I felt from someone, and I believe it was the hand of the Lord.
While I was praying, somebody touched me,
While I was praying to the Lord, I felt a physical touch from someone, and I believe it was the hand of the Lord.
While I was preaching, somebody touched me,
While I was preaching the word of the Lord, I felt a physical touch from someone, and I believe it was the hand of the Lord.
Glory, glory, glory, somebody touched me,
I give glory to the Lord for the touch I felt from someone while I was preaching, and I believe it was the hand of the Lord.
Glory, glory, glory, somebody touched me,
I give glory to the Lord for the touch I felt from someone, and I believe it was the hand of the Lord.
Writer(s): DEAN WEBB, MITCH JAYNE, RODNEY DILLARD
Contributed by Vivian V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
The Skunk
True talent.
jacob schweitzer
i love bluegrass gospel
Bjørn Tore Arstein
Down On The Farm! But oh so harmonious. Class act!
Ali Whitwell
I remember a gig we were playing in a church many years ago. We sang this but changed the words slightly to "while I was bending - somebody touched me". Nobody noticed but it gave the band a good laugh
davros123ify
my parakeet as we stand right now is tapping her foot and flapping her wing and trying to sing along now
Carl Yandt
Bless her is she still.......
MrMusicguyma
Graet stuff and fast. Doug Dillard RIP
ChloVanDoe
I LOVE THIS LOLOLOL:')
Aaron King
You better run ...Ernest T Bass....We got the law in here now!!!
Ali Whitwell
Happy Birthday Rodney. :-)