About the song
“Uneasy Rider,” a song by the iconic Charlie Daniels, is a delightful and humorous narrative that showcases his exceptional storytelling abilities. Released in 1973 as part of his album “Honey in the Rock,” this track stands out as one of Daniels’ early hits that helped establish his career in the country and Southern rock genres.
Written by Charlie Daniels himself, “Uneasy Rider” is a captivating tale of an unexpected adventure. The song follows the protagonist as he navigates a series of humorous and tense encounters in a small-town bar, highlighting Daniels’ knack for vivid, engaging storytelling. The lyrics paint a picture of a long-haired, counter-culture character who finds himself in a precarious situation, ultimately escaping through quick thinking and a bit of luck.
“Uneasy Rider” achieved significant success, reaching number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This was a notable accomplishment for Daniels, marking his first major hit and paving the way for his future successes. The song’s popularity was a testament to its relatable narrative and catchy melody, resonating with a wide audience during a time of cultural change in America.
The album “Honey in the Rock” also benefited from the success of “Uneasy Rider,” helping to solidify Charlie Daniels’ place in the music industry. The song’s blend of humor, social commentary, and storytelling set a precedent for many of Daniels’ later works.
For older listeners, “Uneasy Rider” is a nostalgic trip back to the early 1970s, a time when music was a powerful vehicle for cultural expression. Charlie Daniels’ unique style and engaging lyrics make this song a memorable piece of his legacy. Whether you’re reminiscing about the past or discovering it anew, “Uneasy Rider” remains a classic example of Charlie Daniels’ talent and charm, capturing the spirit of an era with wit and flair.
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Lyrics
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!