Daniels began writing and performing in the 1950s. In 1964, Daniels wrote a song called "It Hurts Me" which Elvis Presley recorded. He worked as a session musician, including playing on three Bob Dylan albums during 1969 and 1970. Daniels recorded his first solo album, Charlie Daniels, in 1970. His first hit, the novelty song "Uneasy Rider", came off his 1972 second album, Honey in the Rock, and reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1974, Daniels organized the first in a series of Volunteer Jam concerts based in or around Nashville, Tennessee. Except for a three-year gap in the late 1980s, these have continued ever since.
In 1975, he had a top 30 hit as leader of the Charlie Daniels Band (CDB) with the Southern rock self-identification anthem "The South's Gonna Do It Again". "Long Haired Country Boy" was also a minor hit in that year.
Daniels won the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance in 1979 for "The Devil Went Down to Georgia", which reached #3 on the charts.
Subsequent Daniels pop hits included "In America" (#11 in 1980), "The Legend of Wooley Swamp" (#31 in 1980), and "Still in Saigon" (#22 in 1982).
In the late 1980s and 1990s several of Daniels' albums and singles were hits on the country charts. Daniels also released several gospel and Christian records.
Charlie Daniels has never shied away from politics. "The South's Gonna Do It" had a mild message of Southern cultural identity within the Southern rock movement. Daniels was an early supporter of Jimmy Carter's presidential bid and performed at his January 1977 inauguration.
"In America" was a reaction to the 1979-1981 Iran Hostage Crisis; it described a patriotic, united America where "we'll all stick together and you can take that to the bank / That's the cowboys and the hippies and the rebels and the yanks." In contrast, "Still in Saigon" (written by Dan Daley) was an effective portrayal of the plight of the American Vietnam veteran ten years after the war; it was part of an early 1980s wave of attention to the subject, in contrast to treatments such as Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." and "Shut Out the Light", Billy Joel's "Goodnight Saigon", and somewhat later Steve Earle's "Copperhead Road".
In 1990, Daniels' country hit "Simple Man" seemingly advocated a pseudo-Biblical form of vigilantism; lines such as "Just take them [rapists, killers, child abusers] out in the swamp / Put 'em on their knees and tie 'em to a stump / Let the rattlers and the bugs and the alligators do the rest," got Daniels considerable media attention and talk show visits.
In 2003, Daniels published an Open Letter to the Hollywood Bunch in defence of George W. Bush's Iraq policy. His 2003 book Ain't No Rag: Freedom, Family, and the Flag contains this letter as well as many other personal statements. During the 2004 presidential campaign, Daniels acknowledged that having never served in the military himself, he did not have the right to criticize John Kerry's service record.
In 2005, he has made a cameo appearance along with Larry the Cable Guy, Kid Rock, and Hank Williams, Jr. in Gretchen Wilson's music video for the song "All Jacked Up", whose album has been released.
In November 2007, Daniels was invited by Martina McBride to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
In October 2016, Daniels officially became a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
On October 26, 2018, Daniels released a new side album project that was not solo or CDB, but a new band called Beau Weevils, along with CDB bass player, Charlie Hayward, producer James Stroud on drums and Billy Crain on guitar.
Long long way
Charlie Daniels Lyrics
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'Cause I get stoned in the morning
And get drunk in the afternoon
Kinda like my old blue tick hound
I like to lay around in the shade
And I ain't got no money but I damn sure got it made
'Cause I ain't asking nobody for nothin'
If you don't like the way I'm livin'
You just leave this long haired country boy alone
Preacher man talking on TV
Puttin' down the rock and roll
Wants me to send a donation
'Cause he's worried about my soul
He said, "Jesus walked on the water"
And I know that it's true
But sometimes I think that preacherman
Would like to do a little walking too
But I ain't asking nobody for nothin'
If I cant get it on my own
If you don't like the way I'm livin'
You just leave this long haired country boy alone
A poor girl wants to marry
And a rich girl wants to flirt
A rich man goes to college
And a poor man goes to work
A drunkard wants another drink of wine
And a politician wants the vote
I don't want much of nothin' at all
But I will take another toke
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
The lyrics to "Long Haired Country Boy" by Charlie Daniels Band are a commentary on the simple, carefree lifestyle of a country boy who is content with what he has and does not feel the need to conform to societal norms. The opening lines indicate that the singer is often judged by others for his unconventional habits of smoking marijuana in the morning and drinking in the afternoon. However, he likens himself to his old blue tick hound who enjoys lounging in the shade without a care in the world. Despite his lack of money, he feels like he has it made and does not want to depend on anyone else for his needs.
The next verse introduces a preacher man who uses his platform to criticize rock and roll music and asks for donations to protect people's souls. The singer acknowledges the miracles of Jesus but questions the intentions of the preacher man who might secretly enjoy a good time. The last verse acknowledges the differences in aspirations between the rich and the poor, and the various roles they are expected to fulfill in society. The singer, again, asserts his contentment with his simple lifestyle and states that he only wants to smoke another toke without asking anyone for anything.
In summary, the lyrics of "Long Haired Country Boy" celebrate the joys of a simple life and reject societal expectations that require conformity and a strict adherence to religion or politics.
Line by Line Meaning
People say I'm no good and crazy as a loon
People judge me and call me crazy because of my lifestyle.
'Cause I get stoned in the morning
I smoke marijuana in the morning.
And get drunk in the afternoon
I drink alcohol in the afternoon.
Kinda like my old blue tick hound
I enjoy being lazy and relaxing, like my dog.
I like to lay around in the shade
I enjoy leisure time and taking it easy.
And I ain't got no money but I damn sure got it made
I don't have much money, but I'm content with my simple life.
'Cause I ain't asking nobody for nothin'
I don't rely on anyone else for my happiness or wellbeing.
If I cant get it on my own
I prefer to be self-sufficient.
If you don't like the way I'm livin'
If you have a problem with my lifestyle,
You just leave this long-haired country boy alone
please leave me alone.
Preacher man talking on T.V.
A religious figure is speaking on television.
Puttin' down the rock and roll
He's criticizing rock and roll music.
Wants me to send a donation
He's asking for money, despite his criticisms.
'Cause he's worried about my soul
He's concerned about my spiritual wellbeing.
He said Jesus walked on the water
He's referencing a well-known miracle from the Bible.
And I know that it's true
I believe in the teachings of the Bible.
But sometimes I think that preacherman
However, sometimes I wonder if the preacher himself
Would like to do a little walking too
would like to experience a more carefree life.
A poor girl wants to marry
People have different desires in life.
And a rich girl wants to flirt
People have different priorities in life, despite their economic status.
A rich man goes to college
People have different opportunities in life, based on their wealth and socioeconomic status.
And a poor man goes to work
People with fewer resources often have to work harder to achieve success.
A drunkard wants another drink of wine
People have different vices and unhealthy habits.
And a politician wants a vote
People with power often want more control and influence.
I don't want much of nothin' at all
I don't have many material desires.
But I will take another toke
However, I do enjoy smoking marijuana.
'Cause I ain't asking nobody for nothin'
I'm still independent and uninterested in relying on others.
If I can't get it on my own
I prefer to be self-sufficient.
If you don't like the way I'm livin'
If you have a problem with my lifestyle,
You just leave this long-haired country boy alone
please leave me alone.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charles Edward Daniels
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind