What does The Devil Went Down to Georgia mean?

Charlie Daniels: The Devil Went Down to Georgia Meaning

Album cover for The Devil Went Down to Georgia album cover

Song Released: 1979


Covered By: Nickelback (2020)


The Devil Went Down to Georgia Lyrics

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 upon this young man
Sawin' on a fiddle and playin' it hot
And the devil jumped
Up...

  1. anonymous
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    Nov 2nd 2020 !⃝

    I feel like theres no true meaning to this song I feel like its just about how anyone can overcome the devil even if its through music

  2. anonymous
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    Feb 13th 2019 !⃝

    Fire on the mountain,
    Devil's in the kitchen?
    chicken's in the bread
    Granny does your dog bite

    all fiddle tunes, with exerpts to prove he can play them well.

  3. anonymous
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    Mar 22nd 2016 !⃝

    About Sherman's March, looking for a soul to STEAL, not win fairly. Also, fire on the mountain and the name "Johnny" were from burning homes and the Johnny Rebels, southerners.

  4. dawn.miller.7330
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    Dec 21st 2014 !⃝

    There was a young fiddler age 11 from Brome, Quebec invited to play at the Grand Ol Opry 1958, said to be "the best has ever been", wonder if there's any connection. Johnny referred to in book by Dave Dawson "A Tale of Cobalt" book about events and people from the area they all grew up in Quebec. Wonder if any connection to this?

  5. anonymous
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    Jun 28th 2012 !⃝

    This song is about a hustler going to a club or bar, saying, "I'm bad, I'll never win, but luck is luck!" So he puts in a lot of money. After everyone losing hundreds of dollars, the hustler goes on to another club, and another, and another, until someone catches on (another hustler/the devil). He challenges him, positive he'll win. He loses all his money to the first hustler, breaking his bad habit. That's just how I see it, sorry if it doesn't make sense.

  6. anonymous
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    May 10th 2012 !⃝

    i see itas simply telling a story, and explaining that the devil cam beat ( thought i think it is more symbollic than literal)

  7. anonymous
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    Feb 10th 2012 !⃝

    I view it as a collision between new and old. The new sounding good, but never competing with the old.

  8. anonymous
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    Jun 28th 2011 !⃝

    The song is an interpretation and pays homage to Robert Johnson the greatest blues guitarist that ever loved. The myth goes that Robert took his guitar to the crossroads and handed the devil his guitar who played a few songs on it. The devil then handed the guitar back to Robert with all the power to master the instrument in exchange for the young mans soul. Basically same story different setting. Johnny = Robert Johnson, Georgia = Mississippi.


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