#11 "THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA"
THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND, 1979

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I love a good storytelling song, and Charlie Daniels' "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" is one of the best.  The prototype "beat the devil" song that has inspired songs as recently as Tenacious D's "Tribute" (also featured in our list), this song is a great tlae of a violinist named Johnny who is challenged to outplay Satan, who bets him a "fiddle of gold against your soul."  Of course, Johnny kicks his ass with a rip-roarin solo, and The Devil admits defeat.  But not content with his prize, Johnny rubs it in by shouting, "I done told you once, you SON OF A BITCH, I'm the best that's ever been!"  There's a censored version of the song out there, too, in which Daniels uses "SON OF A GUN" instead, but it just doesn't have the same impact.

-Robert Berry

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