The Devil Went Down to Georgia

Charlie Daniels

About The Devil Went Down to Georgia

"The Devil Went Down to Georgia" is a song written and performed by the Charlie Daniels Band and released on their 1979 album Million Mile Reflections. The song is written in the key of D minor. Vassar Clements originally wrote the basic melody an octave lower, in a tune called "Lonesome Fiddle Blues" released on Clements' self-titled 1975 album on which Charlie Daniels played guitar. The Charlie Daniels Band moved it up an octave and put words to it. The song's verses are closer to being spoken rather than sung (i. e., recitation), and tell the story of a boy named Johnny, in a variant on the classic deal with the Devil. The performances of Satan and Johnny are played as instrumental bridges. The song was the band's biggest hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100, prevented from further chart movement by "After The Love Has Gone" by Earth, Wind and Fire and "My Sharona" by The Knack. It is featured in the 1980 film Urban Cowboy, whose choreographer, Patsy Swayze, claims that she set the song's tempo. "How fast can you dance it?" Daniels asked. "How fast can you play it?" Swayze replied, but considering that the song was recorded in December 1978 and Urban Cowboy was filmed in 1979, it would have been impossible for Swayze to set the recorded song's tempo. 


Year:
1993
3:36
1,532 
#5

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The devil went down to Georgia
He was lookin' for a soul to steal
He was in a bind
Cause he was way behind
And he was willin' to make a deal

When he came across this young man
Sawin' on a fiddle and playin' it hot
And the devil jumped
Up on a hickory stump
And said boy let me tell you what

I guess you didn't know it
But I'm a fiddle player too
And if you care to take a dare I'll make a bet with you

Now you play a pretty good fiddle, boy
But give the devil his due
I'll bet a fiddle of gold
Against your soul
Cause I think I'm better than you

The boy said my name's Johnny
And it might be a sin
But I'll take your bet
And you're gonna regret
Cause I'm the best there's ever been

Johnny rosin up your bow and play your fiddle hard
Cause hell's broke loose in Georgia and the devil deals the cards
And if you win you get this shiny fiddle made of gold
But if you lose the devil gets your soul.

The devil opened up his case
And he said I'll start this show
And fire flew from his fingertips
As he rosined up his bow

Then he pulled the bow across the strings
And it made a [sic] evil hiss
And a band of demons joined in
And it sounded something like this

When the devil finished
Johnny said well you're pretty good old son
Just sit down in that chair right there
And let me show you how it's done

He played Fire on the Mountain
Run boys, run
The devil's in the House of the Rising Sun
Chicken in a bread pan picken' out dough
Granny does your dog bite
No child, no

The devil bowed his head
Because he knew that he'd been beat
And he laid that golden fiddle
On the ground at Johnny's feet

Johnny said, Devil just come on back
If you ever want to try again
I done told you once you son of a gun
I'm the best there's ever been

And he played Fire on the Mountain
Run boys, run
The devil's in the House of the Rising Sun
Chicken in a bread pan picken' out dough
Granny will your dog bite/
No child, no

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Charlie Daniels

Charles Edward "Charlie" Daniels (born on October 28, 1936) is an American musician known for his contributions to country and southern rock music. He is perhaps best known for his number one country hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia", and multiple other songs he has written and performed. Daniels has been active as a singer since the early 1950s. He was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on January 24, 2008. more »

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Written by: Charles Fred Hayward, Charlie Daniels, Fred Edwards, James W. Marshall, John Crain, William J. Digregorio

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Recording and Release
"The Devil Went Down to Georgia" was released on May 21, 1979, as part of the Charlie Daniels Band's album, "Million Mile Reflections."
Chart Performance
The song was a major hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and it was the band's biggest hit.
Genre
Notwithstanding the band's country and southern rock roots, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" is characterized by its fusion of different musical genres, including country, southern rock, and bluegrass.
Composition
The song features a dialogue between the devil and a young man named Johnny, portrayed by Charlie Daniels himself. The instrumentals include a memorable fiddle duel.
Awards
"The Devil Went Down to Georgia" won a Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group in 1979 and the single was certified platinum by the RIAA in 1989.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, across various genres, reflecting its broad appeal. Artists who have covered the song include Primus, the Toy Dolls, and David Garrett.
In Popular Culture
"The Devil Went Down to Georgia" has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows, including "Urban Cowboy," "The Muppet Show," and "King of The Hill." It was even included in the video game, "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock."
Controversy
In 1993, the wrapper for a Mark O'Connor album misleadingly implied that Charlie Daniels was a guest artist on the recording of the song "The Devil Came Back to Georgia," a sequal like song to "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." Daniels had in fact declined to participate and publicly expressed his disappointment.
Legacy
Charlie Daniels continued to perform "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" live throughout his career, and it remained one of his most requested songs.
Special Tribute
After Charlie Daniels' death in July 2020, several tributes were made to the artist at the Country Music Awards, with performances of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" included.

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    The Devil Went Down to Georgia

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1979

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