Outlaw country legend Charlie Daniels, he of “Devil Went Down To Georgia” fame, recently posted an open letter to his fans on his website professing his hatred for Guitar Hero, a game his song is featured in.
Here’s what he wrote:
I had a rude awakening recently when I looked at a video game.
It was called Guitar Hero and is wildly popular with the younger set. I heard they had used one of my songs but I hadn't seen it until recently and when I did I was in for some unpleasant surprises.
The game features a rock band playing heavy metal covers of different songs and enables the player to become part of the band, pushing colored buttons on a faux guitar neck which correspond with colors going by on the screen as the song plays.
Actually the game really has a dark side complete with grotesque monsters on stage with the band, strange, eerie lighting effects and all manner of weird things popping up on the stage.
To tell you the truth the whole thing bothered me and struck me as something that is not the healthiest thing in the world for young, impressionable minds to be exposed to, but the thing that really got me was what they had done with my song.
The song, "The Devil Went Down To Georgia," which I wrote, is supposed to be a lighthearted novelty about a fiddling contest between a country boy and the devil and the devil always loses.
That is not the case with the Guitar Hero version which comes complete with a horned, guitar-playing devil who battles the player and very often wins.
I want any of you parents out there whose children have this game to know that I did not grant these people my permission to pervert my song and am disgusted with the result.
Unfortunately I lost the publishing rights on the song many years ago in a settlement with a former partner and the license to Guitar Hero was granted by the company who now owns the publishing.
I would never grant permission for some company to create a video game version of a song I wrote in which the devil wins a contest and I'm sorely disappointed with the company who owns the copyright for not policing the situation. As it is they have allowed these people to violate the very essence of the song.
At this time I don't know if I have any legal recourse, probably not, but I wanted you folks to know that I vehemently disagree with what has been done to a piece of my work. And would like to pass along a little advice to parents of young children.
This game looks innocent enough but if you have a child who is playing it, take the time to sit with him or her while they're playing along and take a serious look at the images on the screen.
You may be surprised at the world they're being exposed to.
Pray for our troops
What do you think?
God Bless America
Charlie Daniels
April 4, 2008
(Badass "The Devil Went To Georgia" was supposed to be a lighthearted novelty song? Go figure... - Ed.)
Comment(s)
As for Mr. Daniels, he is entitled to his opinion about how a song he wrote is being used. However, he forgets that the goal of the game is to beat the devil, not for him and all of hell to reign victoriously over the pathetic human race. Hail Satan! Also, the game is rated T for Teen, so it shouldn't ultimately be subjected to "young, impressionable minds." Finally, the "light hearted song" in question is about a boy who commits a sin by betting with the devil. In addition to that, the song includes the phrase "son of a b--" This song also gets quite of bit of radio play. A bit hypocritical of Mr. Daniels, huh? I know that sounds like I'm Bible thumping, but that's not what I was going for, just making a point.
Anyhow, getting to actually play against a demon or the Devil (whatever it is) is the logical step into game form; and indeed, occasionally you will lose in a game.
Somehow I get the impression that he'd miss the humor in a show like Reaper.
almost all of them are crazy
He also said that he himself had not played it, but had watched his grandchildren play it, and thought it was very interesting, and how mentioned that his grandchildren were thrilled to see their grandpa's song in a video-game.
Very strange indeed....Big D and Bubba was the radio show btw.
just kidding.
woah charlie, calm the hell down. just because the devil wins sometimes doesnt empower him. (this is coming from an "impressionable young person") so dont worry about parents suddenly saying "hey! charlie daniels is a devil worshipper!" cus we arent like that. hell, we havent been in that state of mind since the middle ages! so don't expect any of our parents to go all Carrie's mom on your ass. plus, the devil isnt a touchy figure anymore, and if you dont know that, you need to start watching cartoons. right now.
Also. Guitar hero and Guitar Hero sequels Suck. Rock band is a little better, strictly because the drums are a little more realistic. Short of that they both suck. Why? Well you have a choice you can learn to play a real guitar or learn to play a video game guitar, I'd rather learn real guitar and not look like a joke in 5 years when this fade died out. Guitar Rising will be a good game.
P.S. I love GTA, I was just trying to make a point.