Charlie Daniels doesn't like Guitar Hero

[kainemaxwell]

http://www.charliedaniels.com/soapbox-2008-040408.htm

[exit]

This guy is taking things way too seriously. I highly doubt anyone has been traumatized because the virtual Devil beat them at playing the virtual guitar.

[8-bitNesMan]

I admire him for having the guts to speak out about it. I am a Christian and I will not own these games because of the content. I actually like the idea of the game, but I don't want games that have horned devils, 666, etc. featured prominently in the game. I know they are trying to convey a hard rock vibe but I don't think evil images should be glorified like this. My $0.02...

[Kuros]

Not to be rude, but who really cares what this guy thinks?

[GnawRadar]

Not to be rude, but who really cares what this guy thinks?

Unfortunately Charlie Daniels sold the rights to the song but he did write it and he should have his point heard, but I think he is overreacting a little bit as well. In the game you are supposed to beat the Devil, and the Devil isn't supposed to win but without that there would be no point to put his song in the game at all. It is just a game after all, and probably because of this game he will gain some younger fans of his music who have never heard that song before and go ahead and listen to some of his other music.

[klausien]

Charlie Daniels was once an incredibly badass guitar player, fiddler and frontman of a great country rock band. Then he became a born-again wacko.

That said, he does have the right to speak up when he is offended; even moreso when an intellectual property he once called his own is being used in a manner that he deems unfit. I think the diatribe is about "morality" on the surface, but I also think there is an underlying financial current when you get down to the nitty gritty. He wishes he were benefitting from the popularity of Guitar Hero, which used something he created, but he has been shut out. I am with him on this point, as our country steals from the artist in every way it can in the name of profit.

For everyone else: If you find the caricatures of "demonic" beings and "satanic" themes in Guitar Hero to be offensive, don't play it. It is your perogative to shield your own children from it if you find it necessary, not mine or anyone elses'. No matter how hard you try, your child will one day think for his or herself, possibly scorning you in the process.

All this BS over a non-violent game! Totally ridiculous.

[Neil Koch]

I admire him for having the guts to speak out about it. I am a Christian and I will not own these games because of the content. I actually like the idea of the game, but I don't want games that have horned devils, 666, etc. featured prominently in the game. I know they are trying to convey a hard rock vibe but I don't think evil images should be glorified like this. My $0.02...

This isn't meant as a rip, but you have a quote from Symphony in the Night in your sig, and most people I think would agree that has "evil images" that are much worse (ie, violent/"scary") than the cartoony image of Satan that GH3 portrays.

Anyway, I think Charlie does go a wee bit over the top. I mean, the Devil is pretty easy to beat. And even if he does win (usually by "cheating" by using the powerups), wouldn't practicing and eventually beating him be a "good" (in a somewhat twisted way) lesson for young kids? I don't think it's any worse than some of the fear-spewing some (notice I said SOME) Christians spew at their kids.

But he does make a pretty rational statement near the end: "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." Regardless what you think of the game or Charlie's statements, it's a good idea overall for parents to know what their kids are playing instead of treating their game system like a babysitter.

[badinsults]

I seriously think Charlie Daniels needs to calm the beef min.

[Pantechnicon]

Well, I'm one Klausien's "born-again whackos" and although I'm not a GH player I can say this kind of visual content doesn't disturb me at all. The point, after all, is to "outplay" the devil, right? Seems appropriate, given the content of the song's lyrics in the first place.

If anything Charlie's probably just trying to do some preemptive damage control with respect to his more loyal fans. He has positioned himself in the last few years as a conservative and somewhat outspoken Everyman social critic. If he didn't publicly explain that he had no control over the how "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" was utilized in GH then he'd probably be facing some criticism from his really hardcore "fundy" fans: "Hey, Charlie! Howcum y'all let dem put the devil in with yer song lahk dat in dat dar Nintenduh game? I thought y'all loved the baby Jesus...". He probably will still get a few like that, so let's give the guy a break.

Semi-related aside: If you've never heard Uneasy Rider (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMN7fGZW_BY) give it a listen for some great pre-Satanic Charlie Daniels Band goodness.

[8-bitNesMan]

@ Neil Koch:

I see your point. I do enjoy Symphony but some of the images do bother me. I try to ignore them in order to enjoy a masterpiece. Even though the material in GH is cartoony, it feels much more in your face to me and therefore harder to ignore. I wanted to buy GH II until I saw the 666 in the background of the high school gym stage. I think that is what bothers me the most about the series. And then I saw that Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden was in GH III. It bothers me that the mark is seemingly everywhere in popular culture these days and no one seems to have a problem with it. I know that no one knows when the world will end but it seems to me like it's getting closer all the time. I'm not trying to be Jack Thompson but it does trouble my heart that our youth are being constantly (and unnecessarily) exposed to evil and desensitized to it in the process.

[FantasiaWHT]

DWDTG was the best part of the game, bar none. I didn't know that that was the final song and I was absolutely pumped when I saw the title pop up at the final battle. CD needs to chill a bit.

He writes a song about beating the devil at playing fiddle, and it's use in a video game which involves beating the devil at playing guitar.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Hmmm...

I wasn't planning on commenting on this thread, but it seems to have had some staying power throughout the day.

There are many "layers" to Daniel's issues with Guitar Hero. First, he wrote the song. Even if he sold the rights to it years ago, as an artist he still has the right to observe and comment on it's usage.

He can't take legal action, and he openly acknowledges that fact ... so he's obviously very self aware.

Now, his observations/opinion of the game itself seem a BIT out of touch.

To call the art/design style of Guitar Hero "dark", "grotesque", "strange" and/or "eerie" seems rather absurd to me, as the game obviously is presented in a visually animated/cartoony style, and one would really have to have a VERY LOW tolerance for anything "darker" than, say - Archie Comics to consider Guitar Hero III "grotesque".

I simply chalk that up to him being out of touch with post modern design in entertainment/pop culture.

As far as him bringing his religious views into the argument ... he doesn't say anything too preachy or melodramatic ... only that he disagrees with the imagery in the game and the opportunity for the player to "fail" in their contest with the devil.

While he avoids acknowledging that the GOAL of the game IS to defeat the devil, I think that avoiding that fact is kind of paramount to him presenting his argument to "concerned parents" who are likely the primary group of people who are really going to read his message without taking some time to compare the game to his statements.

As an artist and an atheist, I'm neither offended by, nor do I disagree with his right to speak out against the contextual usage of a song which he wrote and of in-game imagery that he finds to be anti-Christian.

The bottom line for Guitar Hero fans is that this is just an amusing anecdote in the game's history that likely won't do anything but cause GH enthusiasts to laugh/comment/debate over.

[Pantechnicon]

I wanted to buy GH II until I saw the 666 in the background of the high school gym stage. I think that is what bothers me the most about the series...It bothers me that the mark is seemingly everywhere in popular culture these days and no one seems to have a problem with it.... I'm not trying to be Jack Thompson but it does trouble my heart that our youth are being constantly (and unnecessarily) exposed to evil and desensitized to it in the process.

As a fellow Christian I'd suggest that you're placing more emphasis on this "bugaboo" imagery than it deserves. Yes, demons are real, but there's no Biblical basis for this horns-and-pitchforks nonsense. Likewise, 666* is just another number until the events foretold in the book of Revelation unfold, and nobody really knows what it means or how it's going to be utilized (and why does have to have some utility). Reacting to this superstitious symbolism as if it has some sort of inherent power is the only thing which actually gives it any power. I can think of literally dozens of things that count as "exposure to evil" and are causing far more damage to kids than this trick-or-treat crap. :devilish:

* - Please note: My fingers did not burst into flames when I typed that number. They didn't even sting a little. :onfire:

[Fuzzball24]

@ Neil Koch:

I see your point. I do enjoy Symphony but some of the images do bother me. I try to ignore them in order to enjoy a masterpiece. Even though the material in GH is cartoony, it feels much more in your face to me and therefore harder to ignore. I wanted to buy GH II until I saw the 666 in the background of the high school gym stage. I think that is what bothers me the most about the series. And then I saw that Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden was in GH III. It bothers me that the mark is seemingly everywhere in popular culture these days and no one seems to have a problem with it. I know that no one knows when the world will end but it seems to me like it's getting closer all the time. I'm not trying to be Jack Thompson but it does trouble my heart that our youth are being constantly (and unnecessarily) exposed to evil and desensitized to it in the process.

And? Even if God did exist, I think one of the last things on his mind is Satan in a video game.

[Brian Deuel]

Charlie Daniels was once an incredibly badass guitar player, fiddler and frontman of a great country rock band. Then he became a born-again wacko.

I agree with the rest of your point, so I snipped it.

But as to this line, I say, "To each their own". If he chooses to be a religious man, so be it.

The only thing I find disturbing is that some use their celebrity to try and tell others how to live, and that some... MOST people are utterly incapable of thinking for themselves. Because, when you really think about it, EVERYTHING in American culture comes down to three things... money, sex, and what others think of you. Think about it.

What do YOU care about? What are YOUR priorities? Is it really THAT important to you what others think of you? What does it get you, anyway? Friends? Respect of those who have no bearing on your life anyway? Who CARES? This will never cease to boggle my mind...

[whoisKeel]

...

The only thing I find disturbing is that some use their celebrity to try and tell others how to live, and that some... MOST people are utterly incapable of thinking for themselves. Because, when you really think about it, EVERYTHING in American culture comes down to three things... money, sex, and what others think of you. Think about it.


You forgot drugs, among other things.

This guy has the right to be pissed. I'd be angry if I lost the rights to something I created, and it was used in a way I disagree with. Besides, it's a blog, they are supposed to be subjective like this, it isn't like he's all over TV news damning GH, it's his own freakin page.

As for all the satanic stuff in GH, it's just all a little silly and tasteless. There's like 2 metal songs out of 40.

[heybtbm]

What do YOU care about? What are YOUR priorities? Is it really THAT important to you what others think of you? What does it get you, anyway? Friends? Respect of those who have no bearing on your life anyway? Who CARES? This will never cease to boggle my mind...

You have a good point, but most people really do "get it", believe it or not. These things usually take care of themselves when a person hits their mid to late 20's. If you haven't experienced it already, you'll see what I mean someday.

[Fuyukaze]

Beyond hating the cover of the song and thinking there was better songs to pick, I've yet to find anything I was offended by in it. Realy now, the song was great before. It just doesnt sound right with the guitar. "Shout at the Devil" would have been a nice pick.

Ok, I hated the Slayer song. It kicks my ass in every way of the word and I hate it. I can 5 star lots of stuff on medium but can only 3 star raining blood on easy. Easy for cryin out loud! I can 4 star Dragonforce but not Slayer! It pisses me off constantly.

[klausien]

Lumps taken for the "born-again wacko" comment. No offense was meant to the religious beliefs of any member of this board. I am not going to retract it, because I said it and stand by my argument, but I do concede that it was trite and could be construed by some, depending on their particular alignment, as mean-spirited. It was definitely unfiltered, and ham-fisted, but the point I was trying to make is that I am tired of people imposing their beliefs (aka "morals") on everyone in the name of something they should be agreeing to disagree on (religion). What we choose to consume (or not) should be our own choice, unencumbered. This is not a discussion of murder, rape or larceny; it is a discussion of images in a non-violent video game. Morality need not apply. It's not even f'ing Mortal Kombat!

Charlie Daniels entire argument was that he was making light of the devil as one who is right with God (as in his song), as opposed to selling the devil to impressionable minds (as in his warped vision of what Guitar Hero's motives are). It is the old "MTV is the Devil's Channel! Run for yout lives!" or "Insert Metal Band Here are a bunch of Devil-worshippers!" BS. He has a right to express his assertion that his song is being used in a manner contrary to his intent, but that doesn't just open him up as the Authority on message, or what is right and wrong in terms of someone else's artistic expression (not that Guitar Hero is high art, I'm just saying...). We are at war, and he is worrying about f'ing Guitar Hero!?! "What would Jesus do?"

I just don't get why its always okay for religious groups and individuals to proselytize freely, getting a pass, while those of us who are simply saying, take a step back, look at what's around you and THINK! are vilified. Think about that for a minute and tell me who's crazy? Regardless, I agree to disagree.

He has the right to argue his point, but I have the right to call him a loon.

[boatofcar]

Reacting to this superstitious symbolism as if it has some sort of inherent power is the only thing which actually gives it any power.

QFT. Great line, Pant.

[RetroYoungen]

I seriously think Charlie Daniels needs to calm the beef min.

He hasn't been able to since 1982. Remember, he's all old and stuff.

[Icarus Moonsight]

What are they going to say when they release Guitar Hero: The Crossroads and to unlock all the songs (if you suck) you can make a deal with the devil... Your eternal soul for awesome guitar playing skills! Instead of the goal being beating the devil you just say screw it and join up with him. ;) It'll be all fun and games until the Activision Reps start calling to collect. :evil:

[Pantechnicon]

Johnny push that fat kid aside and plug in your memory card
`Cause Hell's broke loose at the game kiosk in your local Wal-Mart.
And if you win you get this GH controller made of gold
but if you lose the devil gits your sooooooul...

[Chuplayer]

@ Neil Koch:

I see your point. I do enjoy Symphony but some of the images do bother me. I try to ignore them in order to enjoy a masterpiece. Even though the material in GH is cartoony, it feels much more in your face to me and therefore harder to ignore. I wanted to buy GH II until I saw the 666 in the background of the high school gym stage. I think that is what bothers me the most about the series. And then I saw that Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden was in GH III. It bothers me that the mark is seemingly everywhere in popular culture these days and no one seems to have a problem with it. I know that no one knows when the world will end but it seems to me like it's getting closer all the time. I'm not trying to be Jack Thompson but it does trouble my heart that our youth are being constantly (and unnecessarily) exposed to evil and desensitized to it in the process.

You know, Iron Maiden's "The Number of the Beast" doesn't really glorify the devil and all that stuff. It discusses the source material and builds some fantasy off of it, but right there in that song, the character in the song says "I must inform the Lord." Also, I've never listened to the whole album that song appears on, but it might come from a concept album that very well just might end with the devil dead. I've heard a whole bunch of songs from concept albums that when taken out of the context of the album, they're "kill your father, rape your mother" music. But they're actually not.

And about all that Satanic imagery in rock and roll, most of it is just tongue in cheek. Look at Black Sabbath and Ozzy. I don't think there has ever been an outright Satanic song from them. Lots and lots of their songs deal with religion and faith, but none of them glorify the bad stuff. An early Black Sabbath song, After Forever, is a good example of this. You don't even get to see the Satanic stuff if you just listen to the music. Iron Maiden and the like are like good war movies. They drag you through the really bad stuff sometimes, but they never glorify the bad stuff and glorify the best of humanity instead. And some of them are outright Christian songs. My favorite band, Helloween, has a whole song, Laudate Dominum, sung in Latin, praising the Lord. It doesn't get much more sincere than that.

It's like saying you're going to not play Wolfenstein because of the Nazi imagery. Well, of course there's Nazi imagery in the game. That's the whole point. The Nazis are the bad guys. You fight the bad guys. Basic associative property leads you to the conclusion that you fight the Nazis. What's wrong with fighting Nazis? They're obviously not being glorified because you're shooting the shit out of them.

[Pantechnicon]

You know, Iron Maiden's "The Number of the Beast" doesn't really glorify the devil and all that stuff. It discusses the source material and builds some fantasy off of it, but right there in that song, the character in the song says "I must inform the Lord." Also, I've never listened to the whole album that song appears on, but it might come from a concept album that very well just might end with the devil dead.

Eh...not the best example you could have picked here.

First off, you're misquoting the lyrics. The line is you cite is actually "This can't go on, I must inform the law." Think about it: Why would anybody need to "inform" a presumably omniscient God about anything?

Secondly, this song does in fact end with the narrator abandoning his initial disgust with the manifestation of demonic evil and in fact embracing it. Number of the Beast is not a concept album, so the sentiment of this particular song ends with the affirmation of hope in Evil's eventual victory over good.

but I feel drawn towards the evil chanting hordes
they seem to mesmerise me...can't avoid their eyes
666 the Number of the Beast
666 the one for you and me

I'm coming back I will return
And I'll possess your body and I'll make you burn
I have the fire I have the force
I have the power to make my evil take its course

All that being said, and reminding the community that I am a "born-again whacko", Number of the Beast is a pretty kicking album. Up the Irons! :rocker:

As for Helloween, come on...a name like "Helloween" doesn't necessarily make them Satanists. But performing Laudate Dominum doesn't make them Christians either. It just means they appreciate the ironic theatricality of a metal band performing a hymn penned by Mozart with Latin lyrics. It's good showmanship. But that's about all there is to it.

[Chuplayer]

Okay, so maybe I misinterpreted the song (actually, the lyrics I read misinterpreted it), but at the end of the song, is it the character or is it the devil himself speaking? Also, you can't expect some people not to be taken over by the devil, so what are you going to do? Not acknowledge it? There would be no point to even having the concept in the first place if those sorts of acts aren't accepted as being possible. It's like those crazy parents who want to shield their children from everything.

Also, I've listened to a lot, lot, lot more Helloween than Maiden, and I don't think a single one of their songs was ever outright Satanic. Even the entire Dark Ride album (which is a concept album, so my context argument takes hold here) ends in a pro-belief theme. I'm not saying they're a Christian rock band, but I am saying they're not a Satanic band, even with their name being what it is.

I'm also not saying there aren't genuinely Satanic bands out there. They do exist. I don't particularly like them, but I'm not going to condemn them. I just choose not to listen to them.

[otaku]

I can see how the whole evil images thing would bug people. Its not really a game for young kids though I'd say teens on up and that audience its fine for I mean its just a game just like if it were a horror game/movie don't like those images don't play. Alot of people object to the songs and lyrics. I can see that. Beethovens c**t was released on rock band this week thats pretty extreme right there

[Cmosfm]

Wait wait wait...there's stuff going on in the background?

[Half Japanese]

I've never understood people that get all bent out of shape when something doesn't conform perfectly to their little world view. I remember some kid bitching to a game magazine about occult themes in D for the Playstation (and I think later games had a pre-game warning, but it's been years); so he was perfectly okay with setting up traps by which to send hundreds of enemies to terrible, painful deaths, but can't put up with a devil or occult symbol every now and then. Double standard?

Judge something based on its merits and not on whether or not it completely falls in line with your preconceptions of how the world is. Besides, things that "preach to the choir" never really accomplish much of any worth anyway.

As for "Number of the Beast," it's alright, but I'll take "Piece of Mind" or "Somewhere in Time" over it any day of the week.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Wait wait wait...there's stuff going on in the background?

Gentleman, Ladies... We have a winnah! LOL

[rbudrick]

Waaaaaaaaaaaah! Waaaaaaaaaaaahh! Waaaaaahhhh!!

Shut up, Chuck.

-Rob