"The Devil Went Down to Georgia" is a southern rock song written an performed by the Charlie Daniels Band and released on their 1979 album Million Mile Reflections. The song is written in the key of D minor. Vassar Clements originally wrote the melody an octave lower, in a tune called "Lonesome Fiddle Blues". Charlie Daniels Band moved it up an octave and put words to it. The song's verses are closer to being spoken rather than sung, and tell the story of a boy named Johnny, who one day is challenged by the devil himself to a battle of fiddle-playing. If Johnny triumphs, he claims the devil's favorite golden fiddle; however, losing the battle would mean losing his soul. Satan's and Johnny's performances are played as instrumental bridges during the song. The song was the band's biggest pop hit, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.