Charlie Daniels had a tremendously successful career in country music. He accomplished so much, delighted audiences, and was honored numerous times for his talent before he passed away in 2020. Per the Country Music Hall of Fame web site, he "pioneered the blending of southern rock sounds with mainstream country music, mingling musical traditions ranging from folk and bluegrass to gospel, country, and rock." His big breakout hit came in 1979 - "The Devil Went Down to Georgia."
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It opened the floodgates to many milestones for Daniels. The song earned a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group and won Single of the Year from the CMA. In addition, the tune got a great showcase from the 1980 film Urban Cowboy. The Charlie Daniels Band sang it in the popular Western-themed movie starring John Travolta and Debra Winger.
Alas, not all of Daniels' song have received that kind of attention, although they deserve it. We selected a few of the ones that merit a little more love, per wyrk.com.
'Long Haired Country Boy'
Per Whiskey Riff, "The song, initially recorded in 1974, is a classic. With Daniels' low and smooth vocals, the twangs of his voice as he sings the song about a simple country boy cannot be beat. [Cody] Johnson recorded his version of the song for his 2019 album Ain't Nothin' To It...." For all gleeful non-conformists who go their own way. "...But I ain't asking nobody for nothin' / If I can't get it on my own / If you don't like the way I'm livin' / You just leave this long-haired country boy alone..."
'Boogie Woogie Fiddle Country Blues'
This song from Daniels' Homesick Heroes album is a toe-tapping, foot-stomping, grab-your-partner-and- whirl-around-the-dance-floor tune. It's a wholesome piece of good old rollicking southern-style fun. The fiddles are absolutely flying. When you listen to the song, your spirits will soar, too.
'Uneasy Rider'
A keen observer of human nature, Charlie Daniels brought that trait to bear in this clever song from 1973. Per American Songwriter, Daniels said, "I just took a guy and put him in a fictitious situation and extricated him. But of course, there's no truth to it other than just being around people that kind of had a fear of redneck bars." The burgeoning counterculture of that era is lampooned in the sassy tune. Its title is a witty riff on the title of the landmark 1969 film Easy Rider. According to the outlet, "'Uneasy Rider' rose to No. 9 on Billboard's Hot 100. The album, Honey in the Rock, was later re-released as Uneasy Rider in 1976."
'In America'
Released in 1980 in the aftermath of the Iran hostage situation, this resolutely patriotic, flag-waving song exudes pure Charlie Daniels Band style. A patriotic man himself, Daniels seemed to sense that the public would be receptive to the song's message of unity, national pride, and steadfast courage. It did well, per military.com. "The song reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 13 on the Hot Country Songs chart." Daniels also recorded many other patriotic tunes like "Let Freedom Ring" and "Ragged Old Flag."
