Guitar Hero III Songwriter Slams Game

Charlie Daniels, writer of the song 'The Devil Went Down To Georgia', has slammed the makers of 'Guitar Hero III' after the song was used in the game.

He has publicly stated that he would have refused permission for the song to be used if he had the power, claiming that the "very essence" of the song had been "violated".

Daniels, who wrote the song in 1979 while a member of The Charlie Daniels Band, lost the rights to the song in a past settlement.

He explained on his blog: "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.

"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."

Expressing his upset at the devil character who challenges players in
the game, he added: "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 I 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."

'The Devil Went Down To Georgia' was Daniels' biggest hit, charting at Number Three in the US singles chart.

It has since been covered by the likes of Primus, The Levellers and Jerry Reed, and Rednex.

The song has had an impact outside of the world of music, too, with comedian Jim Davidson performing it as part of a comedy tour in 2002 and WWE wrestler The Rock singing it on US TV in 2003.

Thanks for the info to NME.com.

Comments

[Miek]

"And I 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."
I think this might be the first video game he's ever seen if he thinks its bad. Give him a go of GTA for starters.
Otherwise, cry more you old man.

[metal_freak_cam]

Miek wrote:

"And I 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."
I think this might be the first video game he's ever seen if he thinks its bad. Give him a go of GTA for starters.
Otherwise, cry more you old man.

Gears Of War...let him try that and see if there are ne "bad" images on that....

[Spay]

I sympathize with him, his work shouldn't be treated like that, but the argument that it's corrupting our kids is a pretty weak one. But an artist should be entailed to what his work is used in, and whether its meaning can be put in certain contexts.

[IlikeMetal]

Spay wrote:
an artist should be entailed to what his work is used in, and whether its meaning can be put in certain contexts.

Not when you control 0% of the rights to the song

[ethanw]

ahhh poor charlie daniels
i hate the version of that song on gh3
but yeah show him like call of duty 4 or bioshock and he might shit his pants hahaa

[mickyfin613]

I think he's more concerned witht he religious implications, so a regular uber violent game like GTA or GoW aren't on topic.

[cytalis]

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.

Since when is rocking out hard considered something to be watched? This old guy doesn't understand what is really going on. Personally, I loved the song on GH3 and thought it was way better then the original.

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.

Also isn't the devil is supposed to lose every time? I'm pretty sure the point of guitar hero isn't to fail the song on purpose.

[elcapitan1800]

I guarantee hes just pissed because he spent all that time trying to beat One by Metallica and Raining Blood by Slayer, and now hes stuck because he cant beat the devil on his own song.

[Kadaj]

Hahaha, frickin bible basher. GUITAR HERO 3 IS THE DEVIL!

[duncang]

Fair enough, though I think the whole 'look at what your children are playing!' thing wa s abit much.

[webbtje]

This is one of the least offensive video games ever released.

I think he's just annoyed it got on there without his permission.

[rush4life]

pffffft.

[guitarted]

Some of you really are ignorant. Charlie Daniels is not just some "old guy", he is a brilliant songwriter, and excellent fiddler. Pay some respect.

[GenmathePanda]

Charlie Daniels FTW. But thats what happens when you have song rights, and you want Whiskey.

[filthylittleboy]

"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."

the point is obviously to BEAT the devil, they are competly following the theme, and he's going to argue with me saying he didn't realize his mistake... thats the only base he has.

[Misfit-FTB]

I respect his musical talents but this old dude is a dumbass. There is nothing bad about guitar hero, if it does anything it inspires people to pick up a real guitar.

[BlindSilence917]

elcapitan1800 wrote:

I guarantee hes just pissed because he spent all that time trying to beat One by Metallica and Raining Blood by Slayer, and now hes stuck because he cant beat the devil on his own song.

lol

And I agree with cytalis, when you beat the song, the devil loses. It kinda puts the player in Johnny's situation in the song. So, wtf Charlie?

[Tallman1984]

I respect the guy for his musicianship. But really, Charles? Really?? Go piss and moan, down another bottle of Jack and watch 'Urban Cowboy' again for the 1000th time you bitter old bastard.

[negativecreep92]

Bit inaccurate, this article. I mean, Jim Davidson, a comedian!?! Pfft...

[deansouthpaw]

Nobody cares about this old man. Go eat your applesauce!

[paul_brownell]

guitarted wrote:

Some of you really are ignorant. Charlie Daniels is not just some "old guy", he is a brilliant songwriter, and excellent fiddler. Pay some respect.

Hes not the only excellent fiddler.....

(you see today im attempting Pit level of wit)

[Ichimaru]

The song really isn't even that good. If I was him I'd have been honoured to have one of my songs on a game with some of those other way more talented artists.

[Korzack]

Miek wrote:

"And I 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."
I think this might be the first video game he's ever seen if he thinks its bad. Give him a go of GTA for starters.
Otherwise, cry more you old man.

I think he was implying the old religious images there. Although I personally think 'video games promote satan' is a bit of a long thread to try & achieve. Still, the thing is, you're supposed to beat the devil, not just sit there & let him jam you into Dis.
Oh, and one thing about the covers - THEY MISSED WEIRD AL'S VERSION...grr...

[Black Revolver]

And I 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.

i think thats taking it a bit too far. if anything the game might have a few references to certain things but its nothing ot shy away from

[the_extremist00]

same old bull as allways, someone is pissed and come saying that "rock n roll" is a toll of the devil to corrupt young boys mind

that song sucks btw =P

[tdrules]

Oh no, a bitter old man that's realised how much royalties he's lost from people discovering the song from a game and buying it!!

[Nicky XIII]

...I take a look at the comments and I realize with the exception of 2 or 3 of you, none of you actually write music you care about and you're all between 5-10 years old.

[Auals]

GenmathePanda wrote:

Charlie Daniels FTW. But thats what happens when you have song rights, and you want Whiskey.

+1
Hahahaha, SECONDED!

[deansouthpaw]

Eat your applesauce old man! EAT IT!

[Auals]

Nicky XIII wrote:

...I take a look at the comments and I realize with the exception of 2 or 3 of you, none of you actually write music you care about and you're all between 5-10 years old.

I write music I care about. So much taht I hardly play it. and if I do i hurt for the rest of the night. Gigs are shit without my best mates around to pick my mood up. But the guy somehow lost the rights to his own song. Which means he either did something stupid, or he didn't know the system, either way he lost through something he did wrong. I feel bad for him, but it's still just a game.

I agree that it sucks for him, but the most he can do is put how much he hates it being in the game. He has no right to bitch baout the content of the game.

[TC1223]

I wonder if guy has ever played Manhunt

Miek wrote:

"And I 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."
I think this might be the first video game he's ever seen if he thinks its bad. Give him a go of GTA for starters.
Otherwise, cry more you old man.

Better yet, let him pop in Manhunt for a while.

[xConverge]

if he feels its against his morals, its bad on the poor guy...even if we do feel it may be a crock of crap,
if i gave a damn about religion and i was in his place i'd be pretty pissed too.

[Menza_]

Unfortunate turn of events, whatever the song is cool, but he can't do shiit about it

[GuitarJunkie]

Auals wrote:

Nicky XIII wrote:

...I take a look at the comments and I realize with the exception of 2 or 3 of you, none of you actually write music you care about and you're all between 5-10 years old.

I write music I care about. So much taht I hardly play it. and if I do i hurt for the rest of the night. Gigs are shit without my best mates around to pick my mood up. But the guy somehow lost the rights to his own song. Which means he either did something stupid, or he didn't know the system, either way he lost through something he did wrong. I feel bad for him, but it's still just a game.

I agree that it sucks for him, but the most he can do is put how much he hates it being in the game. He has no right to bitch baout the content of the game.

Exaclty...It sounds like he's throwing one big hissyfit. Big deal, if your not good at the game the DEVIL WINS. Whoopdy Friggin Doo.

[fattypumbaa]

I didn't know they had the song on the game because I've never played it until the other day I heard it I must say it's awful there's not even a damn fiddle well it should be put into context it'd be like covering eruption with a banjo just wouldn't be right

[deansouthpaw]

His son is Satan.

[FretboardToAsh]

guitarted wrote:

Some of you really are ignorant. Charlie Daniels is not just some "old guy", he is a brilliant songwriter, and excellent fiddler. Pay some respect.

And the fact that Lar$ is in one of the biggest bands in the world mean he isn't a dick? please... open up a bit more.

[Elwood Cone]

"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.

"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."

Yeah, and Call Of Duty was made because Activision wishes that the Nazis won World War II...

[JustinBrand]

He doesnt know what hes talking about. BUT, that doesnt mean all you CHILDREN should talk crap on him. respect him you will NEVER have a number 3 single ever in your life. that is a very good achievement. He is an old man with radical beliefs and either way you need to show some respect for what he has acomplished because youll never do that much in your life... not saying i ill but im showing my respect and smypathy for this songwriter.

[deansouthpaw]

Britney Spears had hit singles too. Should I respect her because she has what I see as radical beliefs?

[last_biscuit]

Well, he is a doddering old fool with extreme devout beliefs, and what he said about the game is stupid in my opinion...

BUT it was his song, and I can imagine that if I felt so strongly about something, and then a big, rich company came and changed the meaning of it to what I perceived as the opposite...well, I'd be damn pissed off aswell; he has every right to make the statement he did...whether anyone wants to hear it is another thing.

[deansouthpaw]

I think this guy is as narrow minded as anybody posting here on UG.

GO EAT YOUR APPLESAUCE ALREADY OLD MAN!

[SBLAKELEY]

the devil doesnt win....

[TallNerdGuy]

Apparently he didn't realize that the point was to BEAT the devil, not lose to him.

[Dr. No]

That version on GH is terrible. I saw him live and that song kicks ass.

[Thefallofman]

What an idiot.

[deansouthpaw]

From the stupid old man's blog:

Guitar Hero

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

[False_God]

"And I 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."

Its a game old man.

And look, your getting publicity from it, and from being a whiney little bitch.

[thejester]

this is guy is lame. when you lose the rights of your music your say doesnt count, sucks but it happens. in addition: isnt this a tad late to be coming out with this for some extra publicity

[ferretman]

let that be a lesson to everyone. Don't sell the rights to your own music. Release your own stuff independently. Screw the record companies

[break-me-in]

Youth of today are exposed to worse things than a cartoon depiction of Satan who can't so much as beat a covers band at playing guitar. Most of the people playing it will have seen worse things at real gigs.

[SL!!!]

LOL.

The devil doesn't win in the game though!!?? Hahahahaha, wtf, the devil is the final boss and you beat him...and the whole game is poking fun at the whole "rock is the devil's music" thing...the game is supposed to be light-hearted just like the song.. Lol, this is really funny, there is obviously a huge generational gap here.

[SL!!!]

last_biscuit wrote:

Well, he is a doddering old fool with extreme devout beliefs, and what he said about the game is stupid in my opinion...

BUT it was his song, and I can imagine that if I felt so strongly about something, and then a big, rich company came and changed the meaning of it to what I perceived as the opposite...well, I'd be damn pissed off aswell; he has every right to make the statement he did...whether anyone wants to hear it is another thing.

Yeah, but it doesn't make it any less stupid. Hahaha. I mean, i would be pissed too, but considering the circumstances, this is just kind of ... ridic.

[R_U_READY?]

yeah on that game you are playing AGAINST the devil the very essence is that the devil is THE BAD GUY duuhhh senile old fool.

[AFallenJake]

This sucks for Charlie. No one deserves to have something happen to his/her art that they do not wish; however, as someone said, the loss of rights was probably his own fault.

It would seem to me that Ol' Charlie is either sobered up and found a sense of self righteousness or is going senile because the claims he is making about the game are completely absurd. Although, shame on Activision for not going to that artist about changing the song. Oh well...

[Insomnia57]

I do hate it when people take songs that mean one thing and distort it to mean something else, but thats life.

[R_U_READY?]

deansouthpaw wrote:


Pray for our troops

What do you think?

God Bless America

Charlie Daniels

April 4, 2008

so beating a fictional character on a video game is morally wrong but a superpower going to war with a struggling country isn't? Charlie Daniels, suck my mother****ing dick you patriotic overgrown beareded piece of cowboy shit. You probably shoot animals from ur buttcrack ranch in america's backyard where no one gives a shit about you especially not ur govt that u support. What would happen if the animals turned the gun on you, who's big then. aw what a shame he wont read any of this i'm gonna go post it on his blog

[gwitersnamps]

Doesn't the devil only win if you lose? Isn't the point to BEAT the devil?

[DevonCaine17]

Yet another reason why Guitar Hero is ruining music...

[R_U_READY?]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_1ws6D-K0M someone should show Charles this version of his song, this one is better than the original

[thenephilim]

this is a first, an artist arguing that their work IS corrupting todays youth...

[hugh20]

"And I 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." He hasn't seen GTA or even Telitubbies the game if he thinks that's bad, go write some good songs we play on guitar.

[R_U_READY?]

omg i went on his message board, i couldnt tell him what i thought cos u have to be a member an im not joining that circus but the thread about guitar hero had 666 views! LMAO!

[skindred]

"And I 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."

the game isnt exactly on the same level as the likes of GTA, Gears of War, Manhunt, Condemned etc.

DevonCaine17 wrote:

Yet another reason why Guitar Hero is ruining music...

your as thick as he is dude

[Sonny_sam]

to be honest I dont agree with his argument that the images are bad, but to be honest to his generation they probably were. I will agree though that artists should retain the rights to their work and be given a say in how/where it is used. Even if he doesnt own the rights, you would think whoever does would ask him out of respect.
it's a cruel, cruel industry

[acdcfan1556]

R_U_READY? wrote:

deansouthpaw wrote:


Pray for our troops

What do you think?

God Bless America

Charlie Daniels

April 4, 2008

so beating a fictional character on a video game is morally wrong but a superpower going to war with a struggling country isn't? Charlie Daniels, suck my mother****ing dick you patriotic overgrown beareded piece of cowboy shit. You probably shoot animals from ur buttcrack ranch in america's backyard where no one gives a shit about you especially not ur govt that u support. What would happen if the animals turned the gun on you, who's big then. aw what a shame he wont read any of this i'm gonna go post it on his blog

look here you stereotypical sack of shit you have got to be the most ignorant person to post on this yet. did you really have to bash the troops? do you honestly think that most of them want to be there? it is not their fault. and just because you don't give a damn about him does not mean that nobody does. do NOT try to speak for everyone.

[Flying Couch]

ITT: Old man is afraid of this newfangled technology.

[Axlthegreat]

"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."

hahahahha wow, I cant believe what an idiot this guy is making of himself. The game is not bad at all damn I'd hate to see what he thinks of 90 percent of other video games and of course he misses the whole point of the game that your goal is to beat the devil and that the devil is bad, just like in the song. his argument is really weak and lame. I feel bad for him.. actually no I don't he needs to chill out big time, I hate people who act like this. I can understand being bitter about losing your song rights but preaching against guitar hero like its immoral and corrupting youth is just plain stupid.

[kamikaze_74]

do you honestly think that most of them want to be there? it is not their fault

erm, they chose to sign up for the army and they knew what it entailed. i'd also have to suggest that on the contrary, alot probably do wanna be there. saw all the adverts on TV showing the soldiers looking cool running through burning villages with their guns and stuff. but yeah that guys post was a bit over the top.

[SURFraptor7]

Guitar Hero is just gay.

And Charlie Daniels is the ****ing man.

[Key Master]

SURFraptor7 wrote:

Guitar Hero is just gay.

And Charlie Daniels is the ****ing man.

+100000.1

[djmay71]

wow. he doesn't own th rights to the song, so why is he complaining?
btw: im surprised the mods haven't checked this article yet lol

[nebiru]

Boo ****ing hoo.

[kcrick]

um first of all i wouldnt be mad if one of my songs made it onto guitar hero. and also if you are playing guitar hero isnt it knida hard to look at what theyre doin on stage if your paying attention to what notes to hit? and guitar hero is a poser game anyway. so i think hes just pissed cuz it doesnt have his name by the song. -_-

[Kayfan]

So if anyone has taken the time to actually look at the background images and the like in guitar hero, anyone with any ounce of sanity/good parenting would realize this is not a game for young children. 8 year old children don't need to be bombarded with breasts, red bull, and line 6. So I have to agree with him that parents should watch their children play video games, there is a lot of harmful content in some of them.

But I completely disagree with every other statement this coot has issued... Just another extremist christian coming to the fact that it isn't 1622 any more and whining about it

[Captain Cool]

They forgot to mention the Toy Dolls Cover, "The Devil Went Down To S****hrope"

the original is the best though of course, and Guitar Hero is a little bit nerdy. It kind of stops people learing an instrument and encourages them to play computer games instead. Although i would be lying if I said i hadnt enjoyed playing Guitar Hero at various points in the past.

[Captain Cool]

what I cant type s****horpe?

[OneOfTheseDays]

ah whatever guitar hero got really boring, really fast who cares

[SpockTheRock]

JustinBrand wrote:

He doesnt know what hes talking about. BUT, that doesnt mean all you CHILDREN should talk crap on him. respect him you will NEVER have a number 3 single ever in your life. that is a very good achievement. He is an old man with radical beliefs and either way you need to show some respect for what he has acomplished because youll never do that much in your life... not saying i ill but im showing my respect and smypathy for this songwriter.

And who are you to say what any one of us will and will not accomplish?

[HybridMan]

QQ old man...the song is better than the original on GH3.

[Mc Van Goober]

guitar hereo blows anyways. that game is ****ing stupid. it misrepresents everything that is rock and tries to portray the rock life style and all around just try to be cool and think they know what music is. and plus, charlie daniels is the man. it does suck that they messed up his song but oh well, they are a bunch of fags anyways.
and dont say oh your just mad cuz you cant beat it or soemthing stupid, ive played it, it was fun for about 5 minutes and i just stopped playing cuz of how lame all the gh games are. ive only spent like a total of 20 minutes on all of them combined. its fun for like a couple of times then, its just lame. id much rather play my bass.....

[IbanezGod007]

I don't have any problem with a video game that simulates playing a guitar, or any other instrument. I find it to be quite addicting at times, and I know many fellow musicians and non-musicians alike that enjoy the game immensely.

However, I think that the bigger picture of artists not owning their own musical creations in the larger issue at hand here. This particular example isn't "pure" so to speak, with an obvious discord between a label, a group and an ex-band member.

What a complex issue - we're talking about creative rights, ownership and big business, if not may other issues that make up the giant complex music industry.

I must admit, it seems unsettling that a musician can write an epic song, yet not have a say over it's use regardless of their relationship with a parent company or a previous group, or their personal reasons.

[Noctambulant]

The Devil only wins if you suck at the game...

[ready2breakdown]

oh go grow a pair old man. It's a friggin video game. Every comedy on Earth makes parodies of everything anyway. Those celebs getting cracked don't cry about it. You lost the song, you lost the meaning. I'm a nice guy, but I see no reason to show him any sympathy here.

[3l3phant]

i wouldn't be upset at the fact the devil could win, i'd be more upset that they disgraced and ruined the song entirely by turning it metal

[rayIII]

mickyfin613 wrote:

I think he's more concerned witht he religious implications, so a regular uber violent game like GTA or GoW aren't on topic.

win

[SlashWannabe1]

R_U_READY? wrote:

deansouthpaw wrote:


Pray for our troops

What do you think?

God Bless America

Charlie Daniels

April 4, 2008


so beating a fictional character on a video game is morally wrong but a superpower going to war with a struggling country isn't? Charlie Daniels, suck my mother****ing dick you patriotic overgrown beareded piece of cowboy shit. You probably shoot animals from ur buttcrack ranch in america's backyard where no one gives a shit about you especially not ur govt that u support. What would happen if the animals turned the gun on you, who's big then. aw what a shame he wont read any of this i'm gonna go post it on his blog

You know what we should have nuked those mother fkrs in Iraq and I hope dumb fk democrats like you get fkn blown up.

If I was president I'd have Genocided Iraq in 30 minutes with 400 ICBM Nuclear Missiles. Shut the fk up you dum b son of a bitch go fk yourself.

[antzam20]

i only sympathize because he wrote the song. he should have a say in how its used. but if he sold then rights then he just needs to shut up.

[SL!!!]

SlashWannabe1 wrote:

R_U_READY? wrote:

deansouthpaw wrote:


Pray for our troops

What do you think?

God Bless America

Charlie Daniels

April 4, 2008


so beating a fictional character on a video game is morally wrong but a superpower going to war with a struggling country isn't? Charlie Daniels, suck my mother****ing dick you patriotic overgrown beareded piece of cowboy shit. You probably shoot animals from ur buttcrack ranch in america's backyard where no one gives a shit about you especially not ur govt that u support. What would happen if the animals turned the gun on you, who's big then. aw what a shame he wont read any of this i'm gonna go post it on his blog

You know what we should have nuked those mother fkrs in Iraq and I hope dumb fk democrats like you get fkn blown up.

If I was president I'd have Genocided Iraq in 30 minutes with 400 ICBM Nuclear Missiles. Shut the fk up you dum b son of a bitch go fk yourself.

I hope you aren't serious. I really really do.

[SL!!!]

IbanezGod007 wrote:

I don't have any problem with a video game that simulates playing a guitar, or any other instrument. I find it to be quite addicting at times, and I know many fellow musicians and non-musicians alike that enjoy the game immensely.

However, I think that the bigger picture of artists not owning their own musical creations in the larger issue at hand here. This particular example isn't "pure" so to speak, with an obvious discord between a label, a group and an ex-band member.

What a complex issue - we're talking about creative rights, ownership and big business, if not may other issues that make up the giant complex music industry.

I must admit, it seems unsettling that a musician can write an epic song, yet not have a say over it's use regardless of their relationship with a parent company or a previous group, or their personal reasons.

Well said.

[SL!!!]

acdcfan1556 wrote:

R_U_READY? wrote:

deansouthpaw wrote:


Pray for our troops

What do you think?

God Bless America

Charlie Daniels

April 4, 2008

so beating a fictional character on a video game is morally wrong but a superpower going to war with a struggling country isn't? Charlie Daniels, suck my mother****ing dick you patriotic overgrown beareded piece of cowboy shit. You probably shoot animals from ur buttcrack ranch in america's backyard where no one gives a shit about you especially not ur govt that u support. What would happen if the animals turned the gun on you, who's big then. aw what a shame he wont read any of this i'm gonna go post it on his blog

look here you stereotypical sack of shit you have got to be the most ignorant person to post on this yet. did you really have to bash the troops? do you honestly think that most of them want to be there? it is not their fault. and just because you don't give a damn about him does not mean that nobody does. do NOT try to speak for everyone.

He wasn't speaking for everyone.

[somedude01]

The headlines are always terribly misleading.

[smalRaptor]

HAIL SATAN!

[Thienskater]

oh boo hoo old man

[johnther]

guitar hero just sucks.

[keithmoon15]

guitar hero sucks

[KingCheesehead]

But it's so fun to play D:

[Tyler Durden]

all you pimple faced teenagers need to show respect and take your foot out of your mouths, grow up and get a life....you're just jealous that you will never be somebody, so you rag on the guy, super lame.

[GuitarJunkie]

kamikaze_74 wrote:

do you honestly think that most of them want to be there? it is not their fault

erm, they chose to sign up for the army and they knew what it entailed. i'd also have to suggest that on the contrary, alot probably do wanna be there. saw all the adverts on TV showing the soldiers looking cool running through burning villages with their guns and stuff. but yeah that guys post was a bit over the top.

Yes, because the army doesn't offer any kind of financial benefits for those who serve does it. That couldn't have possible been the reason right? I thought about joining the army so I could graduate from school with little to no debt. Think shit through before you generalize that most people in Iraq want to be there.

[kryzay311]

"And I 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."

IIII don't know about that

[SchitzoJoe]

I understand where he's coming from, but it's honestly not that big of a deal. The most profane thing I've seen on that game was a pentagram.

It's honestly not that big of a deal, old man. You made a great song, but seriously. Loosen up that big old belt buckle of yours and play some Guitar Hero.

[sicfreak91]

omg shut the **** up. its a LITTLE to late to be crying over some copyright as the games been for about a 1/2 a year now ..

[DroptheBomb]

i agree with charlie on his work being violated and taken out of the context of the original song meaning and everything.

but i do see him tryin to put religious implications in there. and as far as im concerned thats just wrong. he actually lost a lot of respect from me right here.
hes sounding very conservative.
not very rebel country to me >_<

none the less charlie daniels band is fukin amazing

[manb3arpig]

didnt know primus covered it.. lol, will check that out... and yeah sucks for him.. but i guess if he lost his rights then... wtf can you do?

[slipmaggot93]

you guys have no respect for the man.

[UseYourBrain]

The game is rated TEEN(13 yrs) for a reason. This rating was well thought out and matches up nicely with movies rated PG-13 or other video games rated TEEN. It is entirely possible that a kid 12 and under COULD interpit the game differently and miss the irony in the game.

That being said... GH IS POKING FUN AT ROCKSTAR LIFE! ...ffs just look at the loading screens.

On a seperate note, you guys have to put yourself in the artists place. He wrote a song with a certain theme or essence as he calls it. He ment it as a light-harted FIDDLE battle. In GH there is not only no fiddle but it is turned into a metal song.

Put yourself in similar shoes. If you are a die hard metalhead who writes an epic song and Britney Spears covers it and cuts out all the guitar and uses synthesizers instead...

I think you guys get my point.

check'd.

Personally, I'm not the least bit surprised, but I do have respect for Charlie Daniels.

[Bobbito315]

[quote]Auals wrote:

Nicky XIII wrote:

...I take a look at the comments and I realize with the exception of 2 or 3 of you, none of you actually write music you care about and you're all between 5-10 years old.


I write music I care about. So much taht I hardly play it. and if I do i hurt for the rest of the night. Gigs are shit without my best mates around to pick my mood up. [quote]

...please

and it's ****ed up system indeed where the writer, producer, and performer of the original song doesn't even have rights to it.

[AXE187]

no country for old men

[oldmanschild27]

BAWWWWW

[Cobalt Blue]

I'd say the video game itself is lighthearted. odd that he would be so outraged.

[stumaster18]

Guitar Hero rocks. He's probably just mad because he can't beat it XD

[Lamb of Deth]

[quote]Doesn't the devil only win if you lose? Isn't the point to BEAT the devil?/quote]
exactly, and if Johnny didn't practice his fiddle like kids practice playing the song on guitar hero, he would suck, and if Johhny played his fiddle sh*ty he would have lost to the devil.

[jesus-mobile]

he's just pissy that he hasn't beat raining blood yet, so he can'y get to his song.

btw, Fuck Raining Blood. that song took forever to beat on expert.

[Sylvanus]

I can see where he's coming from even if he did go a little too far there. Guitar Hero made a horrible mess out of that song.

You guys should give him some respect.

[Vornik]

Intellectual copyright is bullshit, and this old man is whinny and senile.

[blackoctober119]

ok, i can understand why he would be upset for them using his song, but its a f***ing video game! its not like if kids are playing the game and lose once they're not gonna be like "omg satan must be all powerful!"

[Illiad86]

a little over the top there but oh well Guitar Hero is for losers.

It´s for all those lazy bastards that don´t want to pick up a guitar and learn it...Guitar Hero is a ****ing shame to all musicians that have worked all their lives to learn how to play some of the songs on that game.

I played it a few times, and my friend´s were shitting there pants because I can play a lot of the songs on hard lol...and I tell them well I have been playing a guitar for 15 years :P

[iron_maiden93]

Korzack wrote:

Miek wrote:

"And I 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."
I think this might be the first video game he's ever seen if he thinks its bad. Give him a go of GTA for starters.
Otherwise, cry more you old man.


I think he was implying the old religious images there. Although I personally think 'video games promote satan' is a bit of a long thread to try & achieve. Still, the thing is, you're supposed to beat the devil, not just sit there & let him jam you into Dis.
Oh, and one thing about the covers - THEY MISSED WEIRD AL'S VERSION...grr...

thats cause weird al sucks...kinda sucks that he lost the rights to the song, but then again, gh3 wouldnt have been as cool then

[randyaintdead82]

Elwood Cone :
"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.

"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."


Yeah, and Call Of Duty was made because Activision wishes that the Nazis won World War

lol

[Infamou$17]

"And I 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."

Um... let me take a look myself!

Fretboard... guitarist with LP... drummer... BRET MICHAELS?! I SEE WHAT CHARLIE DANIELS DID THERE

[Rungej]

all of you people bashing daniels are ignorant idiots. grow up and learn a little and then reread this article.

[Soul-Monger]

I wish a lot of you idiots who say he's pissy "just because he hasn't beat 'Raining Blood' yet" would just bugger off and get bent.

[Mack56]

Kayfan wrote:

So if anyone has taken the time to actually look at the background images and the like in guitar hero, anyone with any ounce of sanity/good parenting would realize this is not a game for young children. 8 year old children don't need to be bombarded with breasts, red bull, and line 6. So I have to agree with him that parents should watch their children play video games, there is a lot of harmful content in some of them.

But I completely disagree with every other statement this coot has issued... Just another extremist christian coming to the fact that it isn't 1622 any more and whining about it

i mostly agree. little kids shouldn't play guitar hero, they're not gonna get that it's all a joke.

[Vykk Draygo]

So, because the man thinks that the imagery in the game is bad, he's a moron? And how does the fact that there are 'worse' games out there change anything? Thats like arguing that a murderer isn't that bad, because there are mass murderers, come on guys, don't be asshats.

And before you tell me to go look at GTA, I have. It's crap, just like every other Rockstar game.

In any case, they butchered his song. The original is far better than the crap in the game. Pissed me off when I heard it (and I had been looking forward to it before hand).

[oh poe poe]

cry me a river
build a bridge
and get over it

[Shpongled]

I think with his point on the decency of guitar hero is more so that it is a game that is very marketable to kids, but really does deserve the teen rating. Most parents would still probably buy their young kids guitar hero despite the teen rating since its main focus isn't too bad. However, throughout the game there are some things that may not be appropriate for them like having girls in cages at one of the venues or playing against the devil.

[sideoftheham420]

eh, guitar hero 3 sucked.

[brentondig]

It's not like when you beat the Devil at the end, you're automatically more Satanic than the Devil. You just rock more than he does. Besides, Slayer destroys Charlie Daniels Band. And Dragonforce.

[RocksAwakening5]

I agree with daniels all the way. I feel sorry for him.

[Savage Animal]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agwps6hMQqU

http://www.you tube.com/watch?v=bs4y5si8DGs&feature=related

Charlie Daniels is the ****in man! If you can find it, listen to "No Place Left to Go". The guy has chops and used to be really liberal actually.

I can see where hes coming from too. As someone already said, for kids under 12, this game could have inappropriate images. The keyword here is children

[DroptheBomb]

ferretman wrote:

let that be a lesson to everyone. Don't sell the rights to your own music. Release your own stuff independently. Screw the record companies

I SECOND THAT ALL THE WAY

screw the majors and DIY till you DIE!

[slann101]

The Levellers version is the most awsome, and hilarious.

[MonstaMan]

negativecreep92 wrote:

Bit inaccurate, this article. I mean, Jim Davidson, a comedian!?! Pfft...

+1

and by the way, someone get him manhunt so he can see what a real nasty game is like!

[JRowe3388]

The song is great. Both versions. But Daniels is pretty ignorant of how this game works. DWDTG is the only "heavy metal cover" in the game. And you're supposed to beat the Devil. If you cant, you try again. Its not like he gets your soul if you lose.

[frottage]

i respect that he doesn't want that on there, but he seems like he's calling the game unchristian and bad, which makes him a retard.

[Macabre_Turtle]

It is unfortunate he doesn't have the rights.

It IS ****ing stupid that he thinks the game warped the song, considering the game puts across the same message he does.

It IS rediculously immature of him to even take the time to be such a crybaby about it.

Even more obnoxious are the people in her whining about how "gay" the game is. It's a ****ing game. Proffesional racers don't whine about Nascar games.

And to the people complaining about how us youngins need to show some respect... No. No, we don't. I don't give a shit if the man wrote a number 3 single. Britney Spears did it too.

[Macabre_Turtle]

SlashWannabe1 wrote:
You know what we should have nuked those mother fkrs in Iraq and I hope dumb fk democrats like you get fkn blown up.

If I was president I'd have Genocided Iraq in 30 minutes with 400 ICBM Nuclear Missiles. Shut the fk up you dum b son of a bitch go fk yourself.

Get some common sense, you racist f*ck.
You know who else did the same thing we're doing?
The Commies.
*ss.

[Gottmann]

Vykk Draygo wrote:

Thats like arguing that a murderer isn't that bad, because there are mass murderers...

You are SO right. I could just imagine someone trying to make that argument!

"Johnson! We need to go after that murderer ASAP! He's wanted for killing a man who supposedly slept with his wife!"

"But sir, there's a man down in Texas cutting people in half with a chainsaw! Don't you think he should be first priority? That murderer isn't going to be killing anytime soon, right?"

"Oh so we should let him go free huh? You sick bastard!"

"Well he's not as bad as someone murdering random people for the hell of it! Plus I'd be pissed to if my wife was cheating on me in all honesty... sir."

"How dare you say that! You're not paid to think Johnson!"

To be continued...


Yeah, what a stupid idea to think someone who would randomly murder people for the rush would be a bit more of a threat than someone who killed somebody for sleeping with his wife. Just thought I'd put your analogy in the dirt.

P.S.

Vykk Draygo wrote:

So, because the man thinks that the imagery in the game is bad, he's a moron?

Well, actually yes. If he wants to think video games influence anyone besides that weren't already mentally unstable to begin with he should join the wagon with Jack Thompson. Plus it doesn't break any laws so he has nothing to go on.

[shallowbay29006]

i agree with ole Charlie. i don't think they should've put the devil on gh3. took too long to beat him. lol

[megatallica666]

elcapitan1800 wrote:

I guarantee hes just pissed because he spent all that time trying to beat One by Metallica and Raining Blood by Slayer, and now hes stuck because he cant beat the devil on his own song.

i lol'd. i do love the devil.

[MusicalMinority]

Vykk Draygo wrote:

So, because the man thinks that the imagery in the game is bad, he's a moron? And how does the fact that there are 'worse' games out there change anything? Thats like arguing that a murderer isn't that bad, because there are mass murderers, come on guys, don't be asshats.

And before you tell me to go look at GTA, I have. It's crap, just like every other Rockstar game.

In any case, they butchered his song. The original is far better than the crap in the game. Pissed me off when I heard it (and I had been looking forward to it before hand).

+1'd. Then again... What do you expect from UG?

[Gottlos]

Elwood Cone wrote:

"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.

"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."

Yeah, and Call Of Duty was made because Activision wishes that the Nazis won World War II...

This.

[thejou]

What's wonderfully ironic about this is in the game, the devil is actually your manager... it's portraying the music industry as attempting to screw artists out of "their souls", which seems to be exactly what ol' Charlie is whining about here.

[cloudy_skies]

Charlie Daniels has every right to be upset about this. He wrote the song, and it was used without his permission. Even if, for some reason, he doesn't own the copyright anymore, it would at least be courteous and respectful to ask him first.

That said, his accusations go a little far. For one thing, you're supposed to beat the devil in order to complete the game, and if you lose you can try again. I don't see how that distorts the message of his song. For another, the so-called "satanic" images he might be hinting at do nothing but poke fun at the stereotypes associated with rock music, as does pretty much everything else in the game. (Besides, if he's that concerned about children he should look at the ESRB rating...it's rated T and recommended for anyone over 13!)

[Ackj]

Yes, Charlie Daniels wrote the original, but Steve Ouimette wrote the GH3 version.

They should've credited Steve on the cover rather than give Charlie Daniels the credit, just like how You Really Got Me was credited to Van Halen rather than The Kinks.

You cant complain about how somebody covered your song, and it becomes famous. Come on.

[Magero]

-slams head into desk-
This was...the dumbest news...I've ever read...

[Vykk Draygo]

Gottmann wrote :
Just thought I'd put your analogy in the dirt.

No, all you did was distort what I said, and poorly at that.

Gottmann wrote :
Well, actually yes. If he wants to think video games influence anyone besides that weren't already mentally unstable to begin with he should join the wagon with Jack Thompson. Plus it doesn't break any laws so he has nothing to go on.

Lumping him in with Jack Thompson is a bit much. For one, he advocated that parents look at what their kids are playing, Jack Thompson advocates Government intervention, not parental responsibility.

Also, games and media do influence people, especially impressionable young children. I don't think they will make someone commit a crime, and if you are raising your child correctly then it shouldn't be a problem, but to say they have no influence is naive. If they didn't then why would companies spend so many millions on advertisement?