The devil went down to Georgia - Claymation Video Add as favorite

January 8, 2009 1:49 PM

Absolutely amazing claymation video of Charlie Daniels' "The devil went down to Georgia".
posted by rageagainsttherobots (60 comments total)

this video is not...

How do I get around this, legally?
posted by Dumsnill at 1:52 PM on January 8, 2009

Proxy?
posted by Dumsnill at 1:55 PM on January 8, 2009

Ain't nothing wrong with that!
posted by zpousman at 1:58 PM on January 8, 2009

I don't think I will make it down to Georgia.
posted by rageagainsttherobots at 1:59 PM on January 8, 2009

Another great claymation.

Robert Portrait of a Legend
posted by mrmojoflying at 2:02 PM on January 8, 2009

Frankly, it doesn't matter that Johnny won, because he is so full of the sin of pride that the devil is getting him anyway.

Am I the only one who thinks that Charlie Daniels didn't really get deal with devil narratives when he wrote this song?

Also, if you want to get a group of rednecks out on a dance floor, this is the song that will do it. Doesn't matter where you are. I've seen it happen in Louisiana, rural Minnesota, and California. They just go apey for it.
posted by Astro Zombie at 2:03 PM on January 8, 2009 [10 favorites]

If I want to piss off my wife I just sing in my best CMT twang, "I know the lyrics to every Charlie Daniels song!"
posted by mrmojoflying at 2:06 PM on January 8, 2009

Frankly, it doesn't matter that Johnny won, because he is so full of the sin of pride that the devil is getting him anyway.

Am I the only one who thinks that Charlie Daniels didn't really get deal with devil narratives when he wrote this song?

Perfect. I don't care who's on the bus next to me on the way home, that's the most insightful thing I'm going to hear today.
posted by COBRA! at 2:07 PM on January 8, 2009

McSweeney's take on the song.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:07 PM on January 8, 2009 [8 favorites]

That video is early effort from Mike Johnson, who was the co-director (with Tim Burton) on Corpse Bride.
posted by dersins at 2:07 PM on January 8, 2009

I like the one where the devil and Johnny are dealing weed to each other.
posted by jquinby at 2:14 PM on January 8, 2009 [2 favorites]

Fuck, YouTube/GoogleVideo used to be available to all of us, now it's all "you live in the wrong place."
posted by Dumsnill at 2:22 PM on January 8, 2009 [3 favorites]

Just reading the title of the song makes me remember all the words to it, which I memorized at camp in the summer of...1980. Yikes.
posted by rtha at 2:23 PM on January 8, 2009

I've seen this before, though I'll be damned if I can remember where.

Frankly, it doesn't matter that Johnny won, because he is so full of the sin of pride that the devil is getting him anyway.

Presumably that's what the Devil was going for in the first place. He's a tricksy bastard.

Am I the only one who thinks that Charlie Daniels didn't really get deal with devil narratives when he wrote this song?

Unless of course Charlie Daniels was actually the Devil, trying to trick people into thinking that if they beat him in contests it's okay to be prideful about it. Eh? Eh?
posted by Caduceus at 2:26 PM on January 8, 2009

Believe it or not the official sequel to the song (!) actually does address the sin of pride issue.
posted by Ian A.T. at 2:26 PM on January 8, 2009 [2 favorites]

I like the one where the devil and Johnny are dealing weed to each other .

That was much funnier than it had any right to be. "Johnny roll a ball of hash, make sure that it's the bomb, 'cause the Devil's got the kind of stuff they smoked in Vietnam!" Hilarious.
posted by DecemberBoy at 2:26 PM on January 8, 2009 [1 favorite]

See Also: Futurama's Hell is Other Robots.

Fry: Wouldn't a solid gold fiddle weigh hundreds of pounds and sound crummy?
Beelzebot: Well, it's mostly for show.
posted by Cookiebastard at 2:28 PM on January 8, 2009 [1 favorite]

...Isn't this a Primus cover of the song?

I'm pretty sure this is a Primus cover of the song- I remember the video being credited as so in the 90s when watching The Box (oh, memories).
posted by potch at 2:37 PM on January 8, 2009

I can't watch the links, but Primus' cover did use a claymation video.
posted by Ziggy Zaga at 2:45 PM on January 8, 2009

Yeah, the claymation video was made for the Primus cover. I'm a bigger fan of the CDB version of "The Devil went down to Georgia".
posted by rageagainsttherobots at 2:48 PM on January 8, 2009

A classic of claymation is Closed Mondays, winner of the Academy Award for best animated short film for 1974. Seven minutes that raised the bar forever. (not that those dancing chickens aren't pretty great)
posted by longsleeves at 2:50 PM on January 8, 2009

Primus sucks. This was on my copy of Rhinoplasty. One of the very first 'enhanced' CDs I owned, and I remember being amazed at the animated menus and cool animation. I just popped it out and after some fineagleing got VLC to play the .mov file. So rad.
posted by carsonb at 3:04 PM on January 8, 2009

Man, I forgot how awesome the Primus version's evil band was.

Hell, while we're gettin' on rocks off to kickass evil inhuman musicians in competition, have a little Nightmare Band.
posted by Greg Nog at 3:05 PM on January 8, 2009 [2 favorites]

The sequel is great. Thanks for that link.

Also, Primus sucks.
posted by joedan at 3:08 PM on January 8, 2009

What's with the title of this post? Add this as a favorite.
posted by carsonb at 3:14 PM on January 8, 2009

Saw this at Spike & Mike's Sick & Twisted Animation Fest way back in something like '97. Most of the stuff was just pure shock value, stuff like Sloaches Fun House, but there were a few good pieces, like the original South Park cartoon, some stuff from Craig McCracken, and the video for Squirrel Nut Zippers' "Ghost of Stephen Foster."

The Primus piece got the biggest applause of the night.
posted by hifiparasol at 3:15 PM on January 8, 2009

Primus Sucks
posted by ElmerFishpaw at 3:16 PM on January 8, 2009

The Devil Went Down to Dundalk needs a claymation version.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 3:18 PM on January 8, 2009 [1 favorite]

It's not claymation, because it's not done with clay. Those are puppets. And yeah, that's Primus, not Charlie Daniels.

The animation is credited to Mike Johnson and Paul Berry, and the character design definitely looks like Berry's work. Check out his gorgeously creepy classic short The Sandman (nothing to do with the comic; turn your sound up, the audio is really low). Be sure to watch it through to the end of the credits.
posted by jjg at 3:20 PM on January 8, 2009

Frankly, it doesn't matter that Johnny won, because he is so full of the sin of pride that the devil is getting him anyway.

I think he's got a bit of greed and maybe just a touch of the wrath there as well.

Either way, I think we are in agreement, Johnny is going to hell.
posted by quin at 3:29 PM on January 8, 2009

Yeah, the claymation video was made for the Primus cover.

Then it makes more sense that the CDB version didn't quite sync up. And yeah, what's with the post title?
posted by Kimothy at 3:30 PM on January 8, 2009

"It's not claymation, because it's not done with clay. Those are puppets."

I assumed it was clay at first glace. Good call jjg. I guess I should have called it stop-motion.
posted by rageagainsttherobots at 3:30 PM on January 8, 2009

Believe it or not the official sequel to the song (!) actually does address the sin of pride issue.

Johnny Cash serves up a big dollop of cheese and ham!

(That was a great link, Ian A. T., thanks!)
posted by Jody Tresidder at 3:32 PM on January 8, 2009

Primus sucks!

That felt good.
posted by elwoodwiles at 3:33 PM on January 8, 2009

I'd never seen the claymation, so thanks for sharing. Loved it.

Also love the song (appreciating song != redneck). Charlie Daniels has a few songs that make for good foot tapping that leave a big grin on your face at the end.
posted by Atreides at 3:36 PM on January 8, 2009

Frankly, it doesn't matter that Johnny won, because he is so full of the sin of pride that the devil is getting him anyway.

"the devil bowed his head as if he knew that he'd been beat
and laid that golden fiddle at the ground at Johnny's feet
and pride filled Johnny's heart, and gold stired seeds of lust within
as he smiled and said 'you come on back, if you ever wanna try again'

and year on year ol' scratch came back, just like he asked him to
and never seemed to match his music, as John's fame and talent grew
and soon John even laughed when Satan offered up new bets
and said, 'Hell, boy, have done with that, let's try a few duets.'"
posted by weston at 3:39 PM on January 8, 2009 [3 favorites]

The claymation was great, no doubt. That said, while I don't mind Primus, they absoloutely fucked up the song itself. Probably some of the worst singing I've ever heard them, or anyone do, ever.
posted by Effigy2000 at 3:43 PM on January 8, 2009

This is nothing compared to the laser animation for DWDTG I saw at Stone Mountain in Atlanta as a kid.
posted by ijoshua at 3:44 PM on January 8, 2009 [1 favorite]

I showed this video to my 6-year old son recently after I finally completed this song on Guitar Hero. His response was "Whatever, mom." I get the feeling I should get used to to hearing this phrase.
posted by bibliowench at 3:48 PM on January 8, 2009 [2 favorites]

Also, if you want to get a group of rednecks out on a dance floor, this is the song that will do it. Doesn't matter where you are. I've seen it happen in Louisiana, rural Minnesota, and California. They just go apey for it.

You can say that again [self link].
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 3:52 PM on January 8, 2009

Dancing chicken goodness!
posted by MsElaineous at 4:05 PM on January 8, 2009

The Devil went down to Georgia and made them start a conflict with Russia.
posted by qvantamon at 5:50 PM on January 8, 2009

I knew a Georgian who swore black and blue that the sequel sucked compared to the original song.

Now that I've finally heard them back to back, he was so wrong. The original is good - but the sequel (with fiddler Mark O'Connor, who totally has whatever fiddle people call chops) rocks the original. I think he was just more of a Georgian patriot than a fiddle fan.
posted by jb at 5:54 PM on January 8, 2009

The ska-punk band Johnny Socko did a fantastic version of this song live. They put it on their last studio album. No violin, but they did some the fiddle part on saxophone, and had a kind of funk guitar into sweet child o mine guitar solo. Awesome. Better than the primus version. The joys of attending a small college in the midwest during the 90s.
posted by Ghidorah at 6:13 PM on January 8, 2009

Saw this at Spike & Mike's Sick & Twisted Animation Fest way back in something like '97.

You didn't happen to see it in Seattle, did you?

'Cause I was like totally there, man.
posted by Fleebnork at 6:18 PM on January 8, 2009

Primus sucks.

The Pixies have way better bass lines.
posted by naoko at 6:40 PM on January 8, 2009

I feel kinda sorry for the devil. Johnny's an asshole.
posted by emjaybee at 6:56 PM on January 8, 2009

Someone needs to do the animation treatment to another Charlie Daniels song, The Scariest Song in the History of the World (at least, it was to me at age 5), The Legend of Wooly Swamp.
posted by zardoz at 7:17 PM on January 8, 2009

What's with the title of this post? Add this as a favorite.

Well, it's worked on four people so far.
posted by decagon at 7:22 PM on January 8, 2009

I think the devil's mistake--in a fiddle contest--was starting off with the break-it-down part instead of straight into the fiddle part. And -5 points for not using the "son of a bitch" version of the song.

The devil went down to Georgia because he was "way behind." Who's holding him to a quota?

"Cledus Went Down to Florida" is a mildly-entertaining parody (although I did like the duct tape as seatbelt).
posted by kirkaracha at 7:22 PM on January 8, 2009

Interview with Charlie Daniels, including some tidbits about this song. He cites Stephen Vincent Benet's "The Mountain Whippoorwill (Or, How Hill-Billy Jim Won the Great Fiddlers' Prize)" as a possible inspiration.
posted by kirkaracha at 7:32 PM on January 8, 2009

Oh wow, the internet is discovering old Primus videos I saw when I got cable for the first time when I was like two years out of college.

I feel oooooold.
posted by nanojath at 9:31 PM on January 8, 2009

"Add this as a favorite" Damn. I just noticed that was in the post title. That was unintentional. Seriously. My bad.
posted by rageagainsttherobots at 10:10 PM on January 8, 2009

I give you, The Devil Went Down to Silverlake by MC Honky. Something entirely different but clearly attempting to capitalize on "Same Name As"-iness.

The Devil Went Down to Georgia is a good one, it's got all the energy needed to really rile up a group of 10 year olds into a wild lather when the mood strikes them, play it at sunday school for better effect.

Me, I'm partial to Ghost Riders in the Sky.
posted by NiteMayr at 10:13 PM on January 8, 2009

The devil went down to Georgia because he was "way behind." Who's holding him to a quota?

Ah, the question that monotheists don't like.
posted by Flunkie at 10:46 PM on January 8, 2009 [1 favorite]

"They just go apey for it."

They should sign them boys to a nice fat contract. We gotta beat that there competition. Oh, yes suh.


Y'know, the Devil should have known better. I mean, think about it. Every best stringed instrument player tune makes reference to "Johnny." You'd figure he'd stop right there.

'Now you play a pretty good fiddle, boy
But give the devil his due
I'll bet a fiddle of gold
Against your soul
'Cause I think I'm better than you'

The boy said 'my name's Johnny
And it might be a sin
But I'll take your bet...'

'Whoa, wait, you're Johnny?'

'Yeah.'
'Oh. I didn't know that. Uh, I'm not sure that uh...'
'Are you losing your nerve?'
'No, uh...do you play guitar too?'
'Yep.'
'Strum by the railroad tracks do ya? Taught yourself how to play?'
'Uh huh. Why?'
'You get your instruments from a pawn shop?'
'Yeah...how did you know..."
'Can your eyes change from blind to blue?'
'Yeah thats how come I...'
"No, forget it kid. Wasting my time.'
'I'm the best there's ever been.'
'Yeah, yeah, I know. Say - here's my card.'
posted by Smedleyman at 10:51 PM on January 8, 2009 [1 favorite]

I like the Charlie Daniels version of the song better, but of the videos it is clear the animation was created for the Primus song. The video to the CDB is (resampled?) lower quality, the solo ends well before Johnny stops playing in the claymation, and the additional sound effects (like when he lays the fiddle on the ground at Johnny's feet) are absent. I believe someone just dubbed the original song over the first video.
posted by Bokononist at 11:28 PM on January 8, 2009

Ok, I listened to the sequel, and from what I can tell, Johnny's soul is gone. Pride, pride and more pride, ignoring patriarchal duties, etc. The sequel does have better music though.

Always liked the Jamaica version better. Too bad Daniels' has a stick up his ass and has done his damndest to keep the pot version from appearing on any record (so sayeth Dr. Demento, a source I believe).

Charlie Daniels band- some very good songs, some very assholish behavior. Kind of reminds me of Metallica. (I wonder where I can post that comment and get the biggest flame response.)
posted by Hactar at 1:42 AM on January 9, 2009

I still have a nostalgic soft spot for The Devil Came Up To Michigan.. I wonder if early 90's dance rap can be properly realized in claymation.
posted by p3t3 at 6:07 AM on January 9, 2009

I have a hard time reconciling the Charlie Daniels of "Uneasy Rider" with the Charlie Daniels of "What This World Needs Is A Few More Rednecks".

Regardless, the flaw in Devil Went Down to Georgia is that the devil's song is much, much better than Johnny's.
posted by dirtdirt at 6:30 AM on January 9, 2009