The South’s Gonna Do It

The Zoo Crew is spinning The South’s Gonna Do It by The Charlie Daniels Band, a high-energy track from their 1974 album Fire on the Mountain, and the Zoo Freaks are surely loving this Southern rock anthem. This song is a celebration of the Southern rock scene, name-dropping bands and musicians like The Marshall Tucker Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dickey Betts of The Allman Brothers Band, Elvin Bishop, ZZ Top, Wet Willie, and Barefoot Jerry, alongside the Charlie Daniels Band themselves. In an interview with Songfacts, Charlie Daniels explained that the song is a tribute to the bands he felt a kinship with, saying, “We started in ’74, we brought them out, and we worked with Marshall Tucker, and The Allman Brothers, and Lynyrd Skynyrd—our good old bunch. We felt a brotherhood sort of thing.” The song’s opening line references a train to Grinder’s Switch, a nod to the fictional hometown of Grand Ole Opry star Minnie Pearl, cleverly tying the song to Southern culture. Interestingly, some fans on Songfacts have noted that the song mentions up to eleven bands in some live versions, with Daniels occasionally adding more names to the lyrics during performances.

The song’s title has sparked some misinterpretations, with some assuming it carries a racist undertone due to the phrase “the South shall rise again” from post-Civil War sentiments. However, Daniels clarified in various interviews that the song is purely about the resurgence of Southern rock music, as noted on Wikipedia, where he “bristled at more nefarious interpretations.” A post from the official Charlie Daniels X account on August 24, 2018, highlighted the song’s impact, noting that it became a radio favorite alongside Long Haired Country Boy, earning the band their first gold album at the 1975 Volunteer Jam. The song’s infectious rhythm and proud Southern spirit have made it a staple, with fans like Ida Watkins on Musician Wages describing how it evokes memories of road trips and the “unique sense of freedom” tied to Southern rock’s legacy.

Charlie Daniels, born Charles Edward Daniels on October 28, 1936, in Wilmington, North Carolina, began his musical journey influenced by Pentecostal gospel, local bluegrass, rhythm and blues, and Western films, as detailed in his Wikipedia bio. Skilled on guitar, fiddle, banjo, and mandolin, he started performing in the 1950s with the bluegrass band Misty Mountain Boys. By the 1960s, he was playing rock and roll and moved to Nashville in 1967 at the urging of producer Bob Johnston to work as a session musician. Daniels played on iconic albums, including Bob Dylan’s Nashville Skyline, Self Portrait, and New Morning, with Dylan noting, “when Charlie was around, something good would usually come out of the sessions.” He also worked with artists like Leonard Cohen, Ringo Starr, and produced The Youngbloods’ Elephant Mountain. In 1970, Daniels released his self-titled debut album, which Stephen Thomas Erlewine called pivotal for Southern rock, laying the groundwork for the genre’s sound. He formed The Charlie Daniels Band in 1972, and their 1973 hit Uneasy Rider reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Pop charts, setting the stage for their breakthrough with Fire on the Mountain.

Fans can stay connected with The Charlie Daniels Band through their official website, where you’ll find tour info, news, and a blog featuring “Soap Box” posts. Their Facebook page shares updates, memories, and fan interactions, while their Instagram offers photos and throwbacks to Daniels’ legendary career. On X, the band’s account posts about music, tributes, and Southern culture. For fan communities, the Charlie Daniels Band Fans Facebook Group is a vibrant space where Zoo Freaks and others share stories, photos, and love for Daniels’ music. Another fan hub, The Charlie Daniels Band Fan Club, offers exclusive content and a place for dedicated supporters to connect. These platforms keep the spirit of Daniels’ music alive, celebrating his legacy as a Southern rock pioneer.