Charlie Daniels Band - Devil Went ...

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   ...Down To Georgia

I had a chance to compare the LP ("son of a bitch" lyric) and 45 ("son of a gun" lyric) versions on CD, using Rock The First Vol. 9 and Billboard Top Hits - 1979 for LP and 45 versions, respectively.

Aside from learning that the 45 is about 0.4% slower than the LP, I discovered that Charlie Daniels re-cut the vocals for the entire last verse beginning with "The devil bowed his head because he knew that he'd been beat", not just the one offending line at the end of the verse.  The chorus following the offending line has the same vocal take in both.

I assume that it was originally cut with the "bitch" lyric, and someone at Epic asked for a clean version so they could release it as a 45?  Anyone have more of an  inside scoop about this?

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
crapfromthepast Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 14 September 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote crapfromthepast Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Charlie Daniels Band - Devil Went ... Posted: 21 January 2009 at 7:22pm
	...Down To Georgia I had a chance to compare the LP ("son of a bitch" lyric) and 45 ("son of a gun" lyric) versions on CD, using Rock The First Vol. 9 and Billboard Top Hits - 1979 for LP and 45 versions, respectively. Aside from learning that the 45 is about 0.4% slower than the LP, I discovered that Charlie Daniels re-cut the vocals for the entire last verse beginning with "The devil bowed his head because he knew that he'd been beat", not just the one offending line at the end of the verse. The chorus following the offending line has the same vocal take in both. I assume that it was originally cut with the "bitch" lyric, and someone at Epic asked for a clean version so they could release it as a 45? Anyone have more of an inside scoop about this?

edtop40 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 29 October 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote edtop40 Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 May 2011 at 7:38am
	at what point in the song is the "bitch" lyric?
	edtop40

mstgator Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 06 September 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote mstgator Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 May 2011 at 8:25am
	It's at approximately 2:55. "I done told you once you son of a bitch I'm the best that's ever been"

KentT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 25 May 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote KentT Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 May 2011 at 5:03pm
	Which was not suitable for broadcast. Which meant that there was a re-recorded section. Epic had Charlie re-record that line. I told you once, you Son Of A Bitch was the original version on the LP. Edited by KentT
	I turn up the good and turn down the bad!

AndrewChouffi Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 24 September 2005 Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote AndrewChouffi Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 2011 at 7:41am
	I'm pretty confident that the song was cut in the studio first with the "son of a gun" lyric, & then later toughened-up for AOR audiences with the "sonofabitch" lyric for album release. If you listen carefully to the album version, there is a distinct eq/ambience difference in the lead vocal (right before the words "I done told...") where the line was modified. I don't hear the 'punch-in' on the single version. Anybody out there feel the same (or different)? Andy

MMathews Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 18 August 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote MMathews Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 2011 at 12:14pm
	Andrew, I noticed that years ago myself. The 45 version sounds smoothly recorded ... as if it;s the original take. I too noticed right at "I Done" on the LP version it sounds like a quick pot/switch to the alternate vocal track but for split second on "I" you hear both. So, yeah, i figured they wanted more balls for the LP version after the single release. But that's just what my ears thought. I've never read anything about it. I suppose the above scenario would make sense if the single was released in advance of the LP.

KentT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 25 May 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote KentT Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 May 2011 at 4:02pm
	I dug through the station archive. The records have a stamped date so we know the day they arrived. The Single was issued 3 months ahead of the LP. I think you're really right, I think the SOB version was a last minute addition to the LP for AOR radio.
	I turn up the good and turn down the bad!