Charlie Daniels – Uneasy Rider

About The Song

In the vast landscape of American music, few songs have captured the spirit of rebellion and the allure of the open road quite like “Uneasy Rider” by Charlie Daniels. Released in 1973, this Southern rock anthem became an instant classic, resonating with listeners who yearned for a taste of freedom and adventure amidst the backdrop of a changing social and political landscape.

Charlie Daniels, a true pioneer of Southern rock, infused “Uneasy Rider” with his signature blend of hard-driving guitars, gritty vocals, and a storytelling style that painted vivid pictures with words. The song’s opening lines, “Me and my buddy got us a wild hair / And figured we’d go somewhere,” set the stage for a journey that transcended physical boundaries, becoming a metaphorical escape from the constraints of conformity and societal expectations.

As the song progresses, Daniels weaves a tale of two free-spirited individuals, Billy and the Kid, as they navigate the highways and backroads of America on their motorcycles. Their journey is not merely a physical one; it’s a symbolic exploration of self-discovery, rebellion against the status quo, and the pursuit of personal liberty.

The lyrics are laced with Southern charm and imagery, painting a picture of sun-drenched landscapes, dusty roads, and the camaraderie of shared experiences. Daniels‘s voice, gruff yet warm, perfectly conveys the emotions of the song, from the exhilaration of the open road to the underlying sense of unease that comes with challenging societal norms.

“Uneasy Rider” is more than just a song; it’s an anthem for those who dare to be different, who embrace the unconventional, and who cherish the freedom to forge their own paths. It’s a celebration of the American spirit, a reminder that the open road represents not just a physical destination but also a journey of self-discovery and the pursuit of one’s dreams.

The song’s enduring legacy is a testament to its power to connect with listeners across generations. It has been featured in countless films and television shows, and its lyrics have been etched into the minds of music lovers worldwide. “Uneasy Rider” is more than just a song; it’s a cultural touchstone, a reminder of the timeless appeal of rebellion, freedom, and the endless possibilities that lie beyond the horizon.

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Lyric

I was takin’ a trip out to LA
Toolin’ along in my Chevrolet
Tokin’ on a number and diggin’ on the radio

Jes’ as I cross the Mississippi line
I heard that highway start to whine
And I knew that left rear tire was about to go

Well the spare was flat and I got uptight
‘Cause there wasn’t a fillin’ station in sight
So I jes’ limped down the shoulder on the rim

I went as far as I could and when I stopped the car
It was right in front of this little bar
A kind of a redneck lookin’ joint called the Dew Drop Inn

Well I stuffed my hair up under my hat
And told the bartender that I had a flat
And would he be kind enough to give me change for a one

There was one thing I was sure proud to see
There wasn’t a soul in the place ‘cept for him an’ me
And he just looked disgusted an’ pointed toward the telephone

I called up the station down the road a ways
And he said he wasn’t very busy t’day
And he could have somebody there in jest ’bout ten minutes or so

He said now you jes’ stay right where yer at and I didn’t bother
Tellin’ the durn fool
I sure as hell didn’t have anyplace else to go

I just ordered up a beer and sat down at the bar
When some guy walked in an’ said who owns this car
With the peace sign the mag wheels and four on the floor

Well he looked at me and I damn near died
And I decided that I’d jus wait outside
So I layed a dollar on the bar and headed for the door

Jes’ when I thought I’d get outta there with my skin
These five big dude come strollin’ in
With this one old drunk chick and some fella with green teeth

An’ I was almost to the door when the biggest one
Said you tip your hat to this lady son
An’ when I did all that hair fell out from underneath

Now the last thing I wanted was to get into a fight
In Jackson Mississippi on a Saturday night
‘Specially when there was three of them and only one of me

Well they all started laughin’ and I felt kinda sick
And I knew I’d better think of somethin’ pretty quick
So I jes’ reached out an’ kicked ol’ green-teeth right in the knee

He let out a yell that’d curl your hair
But before he could move I grabbed me a chair
And said watch him folks ’cause he’s a thouroughly dangerous man

Well you may not know it but this man’s a spy
He’s an undercover agent for the FBI
And he’s been sent down here to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan

He was still bent over holdin’ on to his knee
But everyone else was lookin’ and listenin’ to me
And I layed it on thicker and heavier as I went

I said would you beleive this man has gone as far
As tearin’ Wallace stickers off the bumpers of cars
And he voted for George McGoveren for president

Well he’s a friend of them long-haired hippie type pinko fags
I betcha he’s even got a Commie flag
Tacked up on the wall inside of his garage

He’s a snake in the grass I tell ya guys
He may look dumb but that’s jus a disguise
He’s a mastermind in the ways of espionage

They all started lookin’ real suspicious at him
And he jumped up an’ said jes’ wait a minute Jim
You know he’s lyin’ I’ve been livin’ here all of my life

I’m a faithfull follower of Brother John Burch
And I belong to the Antioch Baptist Church
And I ain’t even got a garage you can call home and ask my wife

Then he started sayin’ somethin’ ’bout the way I was dressed
But I didn’t wait around to hear the rest
I was too busy movin’ and hopin’ I didn’t run outta luck

And when I hit the ground I was makin’ tracks
And they were jes’ takin’ my car down off the jacks
So I threw the man a twenty an’ jumped in an’ fired that mother up

Mario Andretti woulda sure been proud
Of the way I was movin’ when I passed that crowd
Comin’ out the door and headin’ toward me in a trot

An’ I guess I shoulda gone ahead an’ run
But somehow I couldn’t resist the fun
Of chasin’ them jes’ once around the parkin’ lot

Well they’re headin’ for their car but I hit the gas
And spun around and headed them off at the pass
Well I was slingin’ gravel and puttin’ a ton of dust in the air

Well I had them all out there steppin’ an’ a fetchin’
Like their heads were on fire and their asses was catchin’
But I figured I oughta go ahead an split before the cops got there

When I hit the road I was really wheelin’
Had gravel flyin’ and rubber squeelin’
An’ I didn’t slow down ’til I was almost to Arkansas

I think I’m gonna re-route my trip
I wonder if anybody’d think I’d flipped
If I went to LA via Omaha!