There are many songs and genres claiming to belong to the devil. However, there’s only one song challenging the devil to a fiddle competition! What is it about this song that we enjoy so much?

Rest In Peace And Eternally Rest

Biters, I want to start this article on a rather serious note. March is now a rather big month in my home. A year ago, on March 8th, we lost my stepfather. He introduced me to the song I’m reviewing this month, so with that in mind, Rick, in memoriam, this article is for you.

The Sex, Drugs And Rock N Roll Life

With the phrase “sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll,” earning nicknames like Elvis the Pelvis, and a full-on congressional hearing, it’s no wonder rock music has been called the devil’s music. Well, Biters, that idea is wrong. You see, the devil’s music isn’t rock ‘n roll but country.

As Charlie Daniels points out in his song The Devil Went Down to Georgia, the devil is a fiddle player. This does hold some merit, as the Roman emperor Nero, who I read was described as an Antichrist figure, was said to play the fiddle as Rome burned.

Enough of Rome. Let’s return to Georgia and look at the late Mr. Daniels’ hit song about the Lord of Hell’s trip down south.

The Song That Gives Direction To Find The Devil

The song was released in 1975 and spent time at number three on the charts. It is probably Charlie Daniels’ most recognized and famous song. That song is one of my favourites, the kind that tells a story.

What brought him to Georgia? The collection of souls, of course! And to get them, he issues a fiddle challenge to a young man named Johnny. The standout feature is Daniel’s fiddle work and lyric delivery, which I’ll explore further.

The other great thing about this song is its structure and air quote simplicity. Because this country classic works through parodies, covers, and tributes, you would be hard-pressed to find a place or hobby the pair has yet to battle.

Some of my favourites include a pot-smoking contest in Jamaica, a car race here in my backyard of Dundalk, Maryland, and a trip up to Boston for yet another fiddle match, this time with a guy named Sully.

What Is More There To Say About The Devil?

Let’s now get back to Charlie’s lyrical delivery. This man is one hell of a storyteller, having quite a way with words. He hooks and draws you in, not just this song; he also has a few others in his discography that have you fully invested. It leaves you wanting to know where the story goes. Lately, I have been watching a lot of reaction videos. After years of being forced to listen to the same mass-produced, uninspired, commercialized pop and rap, my music often skipped for said songs.

I’m thrilled to watch these rap and hip-hop fans pull up this song and say things like, “Yo! Charlie Daniels has bars. He’s spitting fire.” The fact that something my stepdad showed me is now not only getting rediscovered but appreciated by the current generation or other music genre lovers makes me feel great.

It also brings me to violinist Mark O’Connor’s album Heroes. This album features him performing duets with musicians who came before him and whom he looked up to. Among these duets was, you guessed it, biters Charlie Daniels in a sequel to the Daniels original.

The Original Is Always Better, Or Is It?

It has often been said the sequel is never as good as the original, but The Devil Went Back To Georgia is one of the exceptions to that rule and, in my opinion, is better. This number has not only Mark and Charlie on violin but vocals from Johnny Cash, Travis Tritt, and Marty Stuart providing vocals.

Part of what makes this follow-up so great is its music video. We have Cash high up on a mountain top with a thick, heavy storybook delivering the tale of this epic feud like a preacher. Then we have Tritt as the devil in a black room bathed in orange lights, just having a grand old time hamming it up for the camera as he messes with Mark to help aid in his victory over Johnny, even if it’s to no avail.

Rest In Peace, And On Gothic Bite Magazine’s Behalf, Thank You

Once again, I would like to restate that this article is dedicated to my stepfather, Rick. He introduced me to some truly great songs that became staples of my playlist, and it really thrills me that through GBM, I get to share some of those songs with you.

Until Next time, Biters,
James

Gothic Bite Magazine would like to express its sincere condolences to the Warren family and our Skeleton in the Closet, James. May your stepfather rest in peace.