Welcome to my Charlie Daniels Band guitar lessons page where you’ll find five of their most recognizable songs arranged for acoustic guitar. If you’ve ever wanted to jam along to “Long Haired Country Boy,” “Still In Saigon,” or “What This World Needs Is A Few More Rednecks,” this is a great place to start.
Each lesson includes a free chord and lyrics sheet, a demo video, and rhythm tips to get you started. If you want the full instructional tutorial, you can grab it for a small fee. Let’s dive in!
Drinking My Baby Goodbye is a country song recorded by Charlie Daniels that was released as a single from his album "Me and the Boys" in 1986. The song was written by Daniels and producer Taz DiGregorio.
The song's lyrics describe a man who has been left by his lover and is drowning his sorrows in alcohol as a way to cope with the pain. Despite its somber subject matter, the song has an upbeat tempo and catchy chorus that make it a popular country dance tune.
"Drinking My Baby Goodbye" was a hit for Daniels, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and becoming one of his most popular songs. The song has since become a classic country staple and is often played at honky-tonks and dance halls
This one is played with drop D tuning with a fast paced down up down up rhythm pattern. A few riffs with the chords D, G and A and then does a key change near the end to an E, A and a B7.
Each Charlie Daniels Band lesson on this page is tailored for acoustic players and includes rhythm tips, chord breakdowns, and song structure guidance. You'll find a mix of country rock and southern swagger in these tracks, making them fun and rewarding to play.
The demo video and chord sheet are free, and the full video lesson is available for purchase if you need more help learning the song start to finish.
Chords & LyricsLong Haired Country Boy is a song recorded by Charlie Daniels that was released on his album "Fire on the Mountain" in 1974. The song was written by Daniels himself.
The song's lyrics describe the life of a long-haired country boy who lives a simple, down-to-earth lifestyle and enjoys the simple pleasures of life. The song's catchy chorus and memorable guitar riffs helped make it a hit for Daniels and one of his most popular songs.
"Long Haired Country Boy" has since become a classic country rock anthem and one of Charlie Daniels' signature songs. The song has been covered by various artists, including the rock band The Charlie Daniels Band and country singer Travis Tritt.
The song's lyrics and upbeat tempo capture the rebellious and carefree spirit of the 1970s, and the song has become a beloved song among fans of country and southern rock music.
I play a drop D tuning in this one in standard tuning with a root down root up down up and repeat with some riffs and some lead work. The chords you'll need are D, G, A, C, G6 and an Am7.
Simple Man is a country ballad that was written by Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and originally recorded by the band for their 1973 debut album. The song was later covered by various artists, including Charlie Daniels, whose version features a slower tempo and a more stripped-down arrangement than the original.
The lyrics of "Simple Man" offer words of wisdom and advice from a father to his son, encouraging him to be humble, work hard, and appreciate the simple things in life. The song's heartfelt message and Daniels' emotive vocals helped make it a hit for the country artist and one of his most popular songs.
Charlie Daniels' version of the song showcases his talent as a storyteller and his ability to infuse a classic rock song with his own unique style and sound.
Another song you can use drop D tuning along with a capo 2nd fret. Some lead here with the chords D, C and G while playing a down down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern with some riffs blended into the rhythm.
Still In Saigon is a song by Charlie Daniels that was released on his 1982 album "Windows". The song was written by Dan Daley and is a poignant and powerful reflection on the experiences of Vietnam War veterans.
The song's lyrics describe the physical and emotional toll that the war took on the soldiers who fought there, and the lasting impact it had on their lives. The haunting melody and Daniels' emotive vocals help to convey the pain and anguish of those who served in the war and struggled to adjust to life after returning home.
"Still In Saigon" was a critical and commercial success for Daniels and helped to raise awareness of the struggles faced by Vietnam War veterans. The song received widespread airplay on both country and rock radio stations, and helped to establish Daniels as a politically conscious artist with a deep sense of empathy for those who served in the military.
For this song you can play a standard tuning while playing a root up down up root up down up in a steady strum with aome lead required. The chords here are Bm, G, Em, Gm, G, A7, A7/A+ and a D/Gb.
What This World Needs Is A Few More Rednecks song by Charlie Daniels was released on his 1989 album "Simple Man". The song was written by Daniels and is a lighthearted and humorous take on the term "redneck", which has become associated with rural, working-class whites in the southern United States.
The song's lyrics playfully celebrate the virtues of rednecks, including their love of country music, beer, and fast cars, and their willingness to stand up for their beliefs and values. The song's catchy chorus and upbeat tempo helped to make it a hit for Daniels, and it remains a popular and enduring anthem for fans of country and southern rock music.
Despite its playful tone, "What This World Needs Is A Few More Rednecks" also contains a deeper message about the importance of standing up for one's beliefs and values, and the need for people to come together and embrace their shared identity and cultural heritage.
I play this one with a capo 3rd fret for the original key in standard tuning with some picking riffs. The chords needed are A, D, E and a Bm.
Whether you’re drawn to the outlaw energy of “Drinking My Baby Goodbye” or the patriotic punch of “Still In Saigon,” these Charlie Daniels Band songs are a blast to play on acoustic guitar. I hope these lessons help bring that southern rock sound into your playing. Check out the free demos and chord sheets, and if you'd like step-by-step instruction, the full tutorials are just a click away.