The brothers adopted the name Louvin Brothers in the 1940s as they began their career in gospel music. Their first foray into secular music was the minor hit "The Get Acquainted Waltz", recorded with Chet Atkins. Other hits included "Cash on the Barrelhead" and "When I Stop Dreaming". They joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1955 and stayed there until breaking up in 1963.
Their songs were heavily influenced by their Baptist faith and warned against sin. Ira Louvin was notorious for his drinking, womanizing, and short temper. He was married four times; his third wife Faye shot him four times in the chest and twice in the hand after he allegedly beat her. Although seriously injured, he survived. When performing and drinking, Ira would sometimes become angry enough on stage to smash his mandolin; otherwise his style was heavily influenced by Bill Monroe.
As of 1963, Charlie was making enough money that he was able to start a solo career, and Ira also went on his own.
Ira died on June 20, 1965, at the age of 41. He and his fourth wife, Anne Young, were on the way home from a performance in Kansas City when they came to a section of construction on Highway 70 outside of Williamsburg, Missouri where traffic had been reduced down to one lane. A drunken driver struck their car head-on, and both Ira and Anne were killed instantaneously.[4] At the time, a warrant for Ira's arrest had been issued on a DUI charge.
Country-rock band The Byrds recorded the Louvin-penned "The Christian Life" for their 1968 release Sweetheart of the Rodeo.
In 2001, the Louvin brothers were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The tribute CD Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers, produced by Carl Jackson and Kathy Louvin and released in 2003, won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Country Album.
Although the brothers are still remembered today for their musical talent, they are also remembered for the unusual cover used for their 1959 album, Satan Is Real. Designed by Ira Louvin, the cover features the brothers standing in a rock quarry in front of a 12-foot-tall (3.7 m) plywood rendition of the Devil as several hidden tires soaked in kerosene burn behind them as fire and brimstone. While some reviewers count this as being one of the "greatest iconic album covers of all time", the cover can also be found today on several Web sites celebrating unusual or bizarre album covers. The cover has also become an Internet meme on a number of Web sites such as Fark.com, where it has been posted in discussion threads as an example of religious views of the era.
The opening bars of the album's title track "Satan is Real" can be heard at the beginning of Hank Williams III's "Medley: Straight to Hell / Satan is Real", on his Straight to Hell album of 2006. It is also excerpted in Will Ferrell's 2009 one-man Broadway show, You're Welcome America. A Final Night With George W Bush.
Born Again
The Louvin Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm happy night and day
Makes me shout
There's no doubt
I know I'm born again
Satan tells me that I only thought I got saved
He tells me what a fool I have been
But when my mind goes back to that old place where I've prayed
Born again, free from sin
I'm happy night and day
Makes me shout
There's no doubt
I know I'm born again
Instrumental
Many times along the way my faith has gone weak
When burdens seem to rise on every hand
But when I steal away in prayer He answers my plea
My every need he understands
Born again, free from sin
I'm happy night and day
Makes me shout
There's no doubt
I know I'm born again
The Louvin Brothers' song "Born Again" is a classic gospel song that speaks about the idea of being "born again" and being free from sin. The song features harmonious vocals punctuated with an instrumental break. The first verse speaks of the joy that comes with being born again and how it makes the singer shout with no doubt. However, Satan's voice appears, telling the singer that he only thought he got saved, and how much of a fool he has been. Nevertheless, the singer remembers the place of prayer where he made the decision to become born again, and he knows he has truly been saved.
The second verse speaks of the struggles that come along the way. The singer mentions how his faith has gone weak at times when he is burdened, but he is always restored when he prays to God. He knows that God understands his every need and is there to guide him. Overall, the song praises the concept of being born again and acknowledges the obstacles that come along the way that can test one's faith, but one ultimately finds solace in prayer and the fact that they are free from sin.
Line by Line Meaning
Born again, free from sin
Having undergone a spiritual rebirth, I am now free from the burden of my sins
I'm happy night and day
This newfound freedom has brought me constant joy and contentment
Makes me shout
I feel so elated that I can't help but express my joy through exuberant shouts
There's no doubt
I have absolute certainty in my faith and in my new life as a born-again Christian
I know I'm born again
My spiritual transformation is undeniable and unshakeable
Satan tells me that I only thought I got saved
The devil tries to plant doubts in my mind, suggesting that my rebirth was not genuine
He tells me what a fool I have been
Satan tries to shame me and make me feel foolish for believing in my rebirth
But when my mind goes back to that old place where I've prayed
However, when I reflect on the place where I first prayed and received my faith, my conviction is renewed
I know that I've been born again
I am absolutely certain that my spiritual rebirth is real and enduring
Many times along the way my faith has gone weak
Although my faith is strong, there have been times when I've struggled to maintain it
When burdens seem to rise on every hand
During challenging times when it seems like everything is going wrong
But when I steal away in prayer He answers my plea
When I take time to pray alone, God answers my prayers and strengthens my faith
My every need he understands
God knows exactly what I need, and provides for me in every way
Writer(s): Charlie Louvin
Contributed by Jason O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
adam aposik
We grew up with all these Southern Country Gospel songs in the old crank up record players in Bristol Bay many years back. I'm a native Alaskan borned and raised in rural area. Makes me feel like I'm all related to all the Country gospel singers. Thank you so much. To God and God alone be all the glory, praise and honor.
Sheila Palmer
These songs are just like a new day dawning.....they are just inspiring...
Bill Brown
Amen I know the feeling thank you dear God.
Bill Brown
I have born and God has me
James D. Lethgo
BEAUTIFUL SONGS TO THE LORD AMEN
Emory King
So very beautiful, we are lucky to live in A time when they and others can be recorded and archived to be enjoyed forever. Taken from us way too soon.
Emory King, Wellington,Ohio, formally of Madison, Tenn.
Thérèse Ottawa
Non c'était juste pour savoir ce que la chanson dit, j'ai longtemps cherché les paroles de cette chanson pour la comprendre, comme j'ai dis ça vient d'un rêve que j'avais fais d'une personne décédée qui a été très importante pour moi! Merci encore!
martin evensen
Great musicians. God is great
Bonnie Munoz
Yes thank you jesus
Thérèse Ottawa
Merci milles fois!!!!