<P> The song is written in the key of D minor . Vassar Clements originally wrote the basic melody an octave lower , in a tune called `` Lonesome Fiddle Blues '' released on Clements ' self - titled 1975 album on which Charlie Daniels played guitar . The Charlie Daniels Band moved it up an octave and put words to it . The song 's verses are closer to being spoken rather than sung ( i.e. , recitation ) , and tell the story of a boy named Johnny , in a variant on the classic deal with the Devil . The performances of Satan and Johnny are played as instrumental bridges . The song was the band 's biggest hit , reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 , prevented from further chart movement by `` After The Love Has Gone '' by Earth , Wind and Fire and `` My Sharona '' by The Knack . It is featured in the 1980 film Urban Cowboy , whose choreographer , Patsy Swayze , claims that she set the song 's tempo . `` How fast can you dance it ? '' Daniels asked . `` How fast can you play it ? '' Swayze replied , but considering that the song was recorded in December 1978 and Urban Cowboy was filmed in 1979 , it would have been impossible for Swayze to set the recorded song 's tempo . </P>
<P> The song is written in the key of D minor . Vassar Clements originally wrote the basic melody an octave lower , in a tune called `` Lonesome Fiddle Blues '' released on Clements ' self - titled 1975 album on which Charlie Daniels played guitar . The Charlie Daniels Band moved it up an octave and put words to it . The song 's verses are closer to being spoken rather than sung ( i.e. , recitation ) , and tell the story of a boy named Johnny , in a variant on the classic deal with the Devil . The performances of Satan and Johnny are played as instrumental bridges . The song was the band 's biggest hit , reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 , prevented from further chart movement by `` After The Love Has Gone '' by Earth , Wind and Fire and `` My Sharona '' by The Knack . It is featured in the 1980 film Urban Cowboy , whose choreographer , Patsy Swayze , claims that she set the song 's tempo . `` How fast can you dance it ? '' Daniels asked . `` How fast can you play it ? '' Swayze replied , but considering that the song was recorded in December 1978 and Urban Cowboy was filmed in 1979 , it would have been impossible for Swayze to set the recorded song 's tempo . </P>
who wrote the devil went down to georgia lyrics
who wrote the devil went down to georgia lyrics
The Charlie Daniels Band
The Charlie Daniels Band