“The South’s Gonna’ Do It Again” by Charlie Daniels

by SMF· Published July 7, 2020· Updated July 7, 2020

When many people consider an all-White, Southern country band during the early-1970s dropping a song about ‘the South doing it again’, they will conclude that the track likely contains racist innuendos, as in pro-Confederacy sentiments. And the phrase which makes up the title of this song can in fact be traced back to the Civil War. But actually, what Charlie Daniels is referring to was the new music scene in the South which evolved as a result of that particular era (the early 1970s) in American history. That’s why he refers to a number of famous country musicians and bands throughout.

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And ultimately, his exalted impression of these acts was to him symbolic of a forthcoming renaissance in the South. Or more to the point, he is expressing love for his homeland and the people resident therein.

Facts about “The South’s Gonna Do It Again”

“The South’s Gonna Do It Again” was written exclusively by Charlie Daniels. And the track was produced by Paul Hornsby, who also produced many of the artists mentioned in the song.

This classic from Charlie Daniels and his band came out in 1974 via Sony Music. It is part of the Charlie Daniels Band’s album – their first as a unit – entitled “Fire on the Mountain”.

Apparently the K*K themselves interpreted this song as having racist innuendos, as they used it for a radio commercial they put out in 1975. In response, Daniels went on to diss them. He made it beyond clear that he did not approve of “hate groups” using his song. According to Daniels, he wrote this song as a tribute to his beloved land (the South) and not for “hate groups” to use in promoting themselves.

Below are the artists and bands that Daniels mention in the song:

Grinderswitch
The Allman Brothers Band
Richard Betts
Lynyrd Skynyrd
The Marshall Tucker Band
Elvin Richard Bishop
ZZ Top
Wet Willie
Barefoot Jerry

And towards the end of the song, he also gives a shout out to “C.D.B.” ( which is obviously the acronym for his band, The Charlie Daniels Band).

Despite this song not being as big as big as Daniels’ classic hit “The Devil Went Down to Georgia“, it is still considered one of his signature tunes.