In a post on his blog, Charlie Daniels, whose band was responsible for one of the game’s songs, The Devil Went Down to Georgia, had this to say.
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.
Oh shut up you moaning old git.
Good for you Charlie I’d be bummed also if someone presented one of the songs I was famous for in a light that I had not intended
I have great respect for Mr. Daniels opinion on the way his song was exhibited. Someone who
leaves a part of themselves in each of their songs couldn’t help but be concerned, if they felt it was being portrayed in a way it wasn’t meant to be.
As far as the Devil Images,its just a game and as long as parents raise theie kids right and pay some attention to them I see no problems.
It’s the parents who let the TV raise their kids who’ll have trouble.
Way to speak up, Charlie! I have guitar hero and I love the game, and I have have your song on my iPod, and I know that they’re not the same in mostly any ways. That’s the one thing about guitar hero that I hate with everything in me, that the game nearly worships the devil. I would be mad, too!
I respect Charlie’s opinion, but I think you all forget this is a game, and im sure the least of the kids or our concern is what happens around the guitar when were playing, our goal is to hit all those notes and not worry about what’s going on with the rest of the screen, personally i love the band and the song, but i dont let the game influence my opinion of the song, honestly i think youre all taking this too seriously, and by the way, Im sure even charlie would enjoy playing this song in guitar hero. I love it.
P.S. Charlie, if you you really wanted the song to keep its essence, you wouldnt have sold the rights in the first place. Still love the band.