Brown began co-writing "Chicken Fried" with Wyatt Durrette several years before the song's release. The two met when Brown was playing at a tavern in Atlanta, Georgia. According to Country Weekly magazine, Brown had already started the song, when he and Durrette began listing off "things that are very southern or characteristic of the South to put into this song." The song was completed gradually over several years. After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Brown decided to add the third verse, which has a patriotic theme ("I thank God for my life / For the stars and stripes…"). Although he had already begun performing the song, he still considered it unfinished until he added a line to the second verse. The patriotic theme and southern cuisine was the band's inspiration to record this song.
The song has also been placed at #39 for the Taste of Country's "Top 100 Country Songs of All Time" chart.
Chicken Fried
Zac Brown Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And cold beer on a Friday night
A pair of jeans that fit just right
And the radio up
Well, I was raised up beneath the shade of a Georgia pine, and that's home, you know
Sweet tea, pecan pie, and homemade wine, where the peaches grow
And my house, it's not much to talk about
And a little bit of chicken fried
Cold beer on a Friday night
A pair of jeans that fit just right
And the radio up
I like to see the sunrise
See the love in my woman's eyes
Feel the touch of a precious child
And know a mother's love
It's funny how it's the little things in life that mean the most
Not where you live, what you drive or the price tag on your clothes
There's no dollar sign on a peace of mind, this I've come to know
So if you agree, have a drink with me, raise your glasses for a toast
To a little bit of chicken fried
And cold beer on a Friday night
A pair of jeans that fit just right
And the radio up
I like to see the sunrise
See the love in my woman's eyes
Feel the touch of a precious child
And know a mother's love
I thank God for my life
And for the stars and stripes
May freedom forever fly
Let it ring
Salute the ones who died
The ones that give their lives
So we don't have to sacrifice
All the things we love
Like our chicken fried
And cold beer on a Friday night
A pair of jeans that fit just right
And the radio up
I like to see the sunrise
See the love in my woman's eyes
Feel the touch of a precious child
And know a mother's love
Get your little chicken fried
And cold beer on a Friday night
A pair of jeans that fit just right
And the radio up
I like to see the sunrise
See the love in my woman's eyes
Feel the touch of a precious child
And know a mother's love
Zac Brown Band's "Chicken Fried" is a celebration of the simple joys that make life worth living. The song starts off with the lyrics "You know I like my chicken fried, and cold beer on a Friday night, a pair of jeans that fit just right, and the radio up." These lyrics paint a picture of the quintessential American dream. Brown, who was raised under the shade of a Georgia pine, takes pride in his southern roots, and he sings about the things that make his heart sing. He sings about the love that he has found in southern ground.
The song is also a tribute to the men and women who serve in the military. Brown thanks God for his life and for the stars and stripes, and he salutes those who have died and given their lives so that others can live free. The song's powerful message about the importance of family, love, and freedom has made it a beloved anthem in the United States.
Overall, "Chicken Fried" is a song that honors the beauty of the simple things in life. It's a reminder that we should take the time to appreciate the things that really matter, and that we should never forget to give thanks for the blessings we have.
Line by Line Meaning
You know I like my chicken fried
I prefer my chicken to be fried as opposed to baked or roasted.
And cold beer on a Friday night
I enjoy drinking cold beer on Friday evenings.
A pair of jeans that fit just right
I like when my jeans fit me perfectly and comfortably.
And the radio up
I enjoy listening to music at a high volume.
Well, I was raised up beneath the shade of a Georgia pine, and that's home, you know
I grew up in Georgia, and it is where I consider to be my true home.
Sweet tea, pecan pie, and homemade wine, where the peaches grow
Georgia is known for its sweet tea, pecan pie, homemade wine, and peach orchards.
And my house, it's not much to talk about
My house is not anything special, and there is not much to say about it.
But it's filled with love that's grown in southern ground
My home is filled with the love that comes from living in the South.
I like to see the sunrise
I enjoy watching the sunrise.
See the love in my woman's eyes
I can see the affection and passion in my partner's eyes.
Feel the touch of a precious child
The touch of a child is incredibly emotional and valuable to me.
And know a mother's love
To know the love that a mother has for their child is the most heartwarming and powerful love of all.
It's funny how it's the little things in life that mean the most
The small things in life are actually the most important and valuable.
Not where you live, what you drive or the price tag on your clothes
Your material possessions do not define you or make you happy.
There's no dollar sign on a peace of mind, this I've come to know
Money cannot bring peace of mind or happiness.
So if you agree, have a drink with me, raise your glasses for a toast
If you feel the same way, let's have a drink together and celebrate this realization.
I thank God for my life
I am grateful to God for my life and everything I have.
And for the stars and stripes
I am thankful for the American flag and everything it symbolizes.
May freedom forever fly
I hope that freedom always endures in our country.
Let it ring
Let freedom ring and continue to be heard.
Salute the ones who died
We should honor and pay respects to those who died in service of this country.
The ones that give their lives
They made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of others.
So we don't have to sacrifice
We owe it to them to not have to go through what they did and to appreciate what they did for us.
Get your little chicken fried
Go ahead and get some fried chicken.
Lyrics © BLACKSTONE ENTERTAINMENT, BMG Rights Management, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: Wyatt Durrette, Zac Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeffsfleet
About 6 or 7 years ago, a local solider from here, in North East Ohio, was killed in action over in Iraq. This was his favorite song, so his brother called into the morning show (Rover's Morning Glory) 100.7 WMMS, a rock station, and asked if they would play this song to honor him. The next morning they played the song over and over for the entire duration of show, (over 4 hours) only stopping to take calls from people sharing stories of loved ones fighting in the military, and honoring this young solider who lost his life. It was very moving.
@jsegnde4302
jeffsfleet that's awesome.
@alecjohnson1223
jeffsfleet rovers morning glory is great
@georgerivers607
I remember that.
@edyquill6489
I'm from the same area. That's a great tribute. I know the station well
@cooperstine9226
This is what I like to hear
@Fischerboy2008
Anyone still listening in 2024?
@user-xn6fb8yd9y
Yes this takes me all the way back
@RhylandSparks-rl5hv
Ye
@Adrian-mb9wz
Me