The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
The devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal
He was in a bind, cause he was way behind
And he was willing to make a deal
Well he come across a young man sawing on a fiddle and he played it hot
The devil jumped up on a hickory stump
And said "boy, let me tell you what
In case you didn't know it, I'm a fiddle player too
And if you care to make a dare
I'll make a bet with you
Now you play pretty good fiddle, son but give the devil his due
I'll bet a fiddle of gold against your soul
Cause I think I'm better than you!
Well the boy said "my name's johnny, and it might be a sin
But I'll take your bet 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'll get this shiny fiddle made of gold
But if you lose the devil gets your soul
The devil opened up his case, and said, "I'll start this show"
And fire flew from his finger tips as he rosined up his bow
When he pulled that bow across the strings, it made an evil hiss
And a band of demons joined in, it sounded just like this
When the devil finished, johnny said, "well you're pretty good old son
But 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 with the rising sun,
Chicken in the breadpan picking 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
And johnny said, "devil, come on back if you ever want to try again
But I told you once, you son of a bitch, I'm the best there's ever been!"
He played fire on the mountain, run, boys, run
The devil's in the house with the rising sun
Chicken in the breadpan picking out dough
Granny does your dog bite, "no, child, no"
He was in a bind, cause he was way behind
And he was willing to make a deal
Well he come across a young man sawing on a fiddle and he played it hot
The devil jumped up on a hickory stump
And said "boy, let me tell you what
In case you didn't know it, I'm a fiddle player too
And if you care to make a dare
I'll make a bet with you
Now you play pretty good fiddle, son but give the devil his due
I'll bet a fiddle of gold against your soul
Cause I think I'm better than you!
Well the boy said "my name's johnny, and it might be a sin
But I'll take your bet 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'll get this shiny fiddle made of gold
But if you lose the devil gets your soul
The devil opened up his case, and said, "I'll start this show"
And fire flew from his finger tips as he rosined up his bow
When he pulled that bow across the strings, it made an evil hiss
And a band of demons joined in, it sounded just like this
When the devil finished, johnny said, "well you're pretty good old son
But 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 with the rising sun,
Chicken in the breadpan picking 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
And johnny said, "devil, come on back if you ever want to try again
But I told you once, you son of a bitch, I'm the best there's ever been!"
He played fire on the mountain, run, boys, run
The devil's in the house with the rising sun
Chicken in the breadpan picking out dough
Granny does your dog bite, "no, child, no"
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
The Devil Went Down to Georgia (Charlie Daniels Band cover) song meanings
Add Your Thoughts
0 Comments
- No Comments
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.