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.
Satan's Jeweled Crown
The Louvin Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But God, for my soul, has reached down
His love set me free, He made me His own
And helped me cast off Satan's jeweled crown
If I could be king and ruler of nations
With diamonds and jewels profound
I'd rather know that I have salvation
Satan's jeweled crown, I've worn it so long
But God for my soul has reached down
His love set me free He made me His own
And helped me cast off Satan's jeweled crown
When I lived my life, so reckless and evil
Drinking and running around
The things I would do were the will of the devil
I was giving my soul for Satan's jeweled crown
Satan's jeweled crown, I've worn it so long
But God for my soul has reached down
His love set me free He made me His own
And helped me cast off Satan's jeweled crown
The Louvin Brothers's song "Satan's Jeweled Crown" is a gospel song with powerful lyrics that explore the struggle between temptation and salvation, and how one can be consumed by the former. The singer acknowledges that they have been wearing Satan's jeweled crown for a long time. This crown represents a life of sin and servitude to the devil. However, the tone changes as the singer speaks of God's love saving them from their sinful ways. Their soul has been redeemed, leading them to cast off Satan's jeweled crown.
The lyrics go on to contrast earthly riches and salvation. The singer says that even if given the opportunity to rule nations and possess diamonds and jewels, they would rather have the peace of mind that comes with knowing they have salvation, rather than achieving worldly success and material wealth. The second verse further elaborates on the singer's past life of reckless, sinful behavior where they would do anything to please the devil.
Overall, the message of the song is that no matter how long or how deeply Satan's jeweled crown may have been worn, God's love and grace can overcome it, leading one to cast it off and find redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
Satan's jeweled crown, I've worn it so long
I have been under Satan's power and influence for a long time and have willingly accepted his offers of earthly wealth and power.
But God, for my soul, has reached down
However, God has intervened in my life and offered me a chance to be saved from Satan's grasp and the impending doom that comes with it.
His love set me free, He made me His own
Through his unconditional love and grace, God has given me the opportunity to break free from Satan's influence and become one of His own- a child of God.
And helped me cast off Satan's jeweled crown
With God's guidance and love, I have been able to reject Satan's offers of worldly treasures and live a life that honors God instead.
If I could be king and ruler of nations
Even if I were given the opportunity to rule the world with all its wealth, power, and precious stones,
With diamonds and jewels profound
And possessed the most valuable and brilliant stones on earth,
I'd rather know that I have salvation
I would still choose to have the assurance of my salvation in Christ,
Then to know my reward is Satan's jeweled crown
Than to face eternal damnation with Satan and his earthly treasures as my ultimate reward.
When I lived my life, so reckless and evil
In the past, I led a life that was careless and wrong,
Drinking and running around
I indulged in sinful pleasures like drinking and promiscuity,
The things I would do were the will of the devil
My actions were influenced and guided by Satan, and I willingly let him take control of my life.
I was giving my soul for Satan's jeweled crown
Without knowing it, I was trading away my soul for the fleeting and worthless treasures of this world that Satan offered.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDGAR EDENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JH Raymond
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Steve Roberts
The Louvin Brothers were just awesome. This is real country music--not the crap you hear today which is rock music with a fiddle. The Lovin Brothers are forever.
Edward Green
They are great
PinchnerHouse
Steve Roberts - Back when devil worship was wholesome.
Joe Postove
I am a Jew and not much of believer in God. But to hear the refreshing honest, sincere and wonderful harmonizing of the Louvin Brothers is a spiritual experience!
Djabroni_Brochacho
Jesus chamgedy life and saved me from a life of sin and darkness just like the Louvins. Praise the God and the Lamb of Israel!
lbrbatiii
They sing from the heart
B. W. Videos
I've loved The Louvin Brothers all my life, but never even knew they were the first to record this beloved old song, all the way back in 1959. I first heard it by Bruce Springsteen, but totally love Emmylou's version ❣️
George's Good News TV
OMG i love their voices
llama40204
Such a good song. This would be a perfect song to play on the road in the dead of night. No one driving out and about but you.