“Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band is a great song in the tradition of Christianity-inspired American country music that celebrates a simple good life. A life full of gratefulness for what God has blessed you with, love for the people around you, and peace (1).
But of course Christians also have a responsibility to help the poor. And sometimes I feel a tension between the desire for a simple life of contentment vs. action on the real suffering of others in the world, especially those geographically far from me.
Fried chicken is a delicious Southern staple that evokes feelings of comfort home and good times. So it’s no surprise that this popular food made its way into a hit country song. “Chicken Fried” was released in 2008 by the Zac Brown Band and went on to become their first number one single on the Billboard country charts. But who exactly is behind this toe-tapping, finger-lickin’ tune?
The Story Behind the Song
“Chicken Fried” was written by Zac Brown and Wyatt Durrette over the course of several years. The two musicians met in Atlanta when Brown was playing a local bar. They started listing off quintessential Southern things to include in the lyrics. The song was finished gradually and took its final form after the September 11 attacks, when Brown added a patriotic third verse.
Initially, Brown started performing “Chicken Fried” live with his band. The Zac Brown Band then recorded the song for their 2003 album Home Grown. In 2006, a different country band called The Lost Trailers recorded their own version of the song and put it out as a single. But Brown hadn’t given them permission to put out a radio version, so it was quickly taken off the air.
This made it possible for the Zac Brown Band to record “Chicken Fried” again in 2008 and put it on their first album on a major label, The Foundation. Then it was sent to radio stations as their first official single.
Zac Brown Band Scores a Hit
“Chicken Fried” showcases Zac Brown Band’s signature sound of combining country music with Southern rock, bluegrass, and other genres. The lyrics celebrate simple pleasures and values associated with the South:
Cold beer on a Friday night
A pair of jeans that fit just right
And the radio up
The song was a hit with both country music fans and radio hosts. In late 2008, “Chicken Fried” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Heartland’s “I Loved Her First” in 2006 was the last country group’s first single to top the charts.
The RIAA certified “Chicken Fried” as double platinum, which means that more than 2 million copies were sold. It’s still one of Zac Brown Band’s most well-known and loved songs. They frequently perform it live to singalongs from adoring crowds. It was also the first time people heard Zac Brown Band’s unique mix of country, Southern rock, and other roots music styles.
Zac Brown Band’s Continued Success
Propelled by the breakout hit “Chicken Fried,” Zac Brown Band’s career took off. Their follow-up single “Whatever It Is” also went to #1, making them the first band ever to send their first two singles to the top of the country charts.
The group has since become one of the most successful acts in country music, blending traditional sounds with more pop and rock flair. They’ve notched a total of 14 #1 singles and have sold millions of albums. Other hit songs include “Toes,” “Free,” “Colder Weather,” and “Homegrown.”
Zac Brown Band has won numerous awards from the Grammys, ACMs, CMAs, and more. They continue releasing new music and touring extensively. Over a decade later, fans still go crazy when they break out their breakthrough “Chicken Fried.” For introducing the world to their signature sound, this song about Southern food will always have a special place in Zac Brown Band history.
So next time you hear the upbeat twang of “Chicken Fried” on the radio, you can thank Zac Brown Band for cooking up this country fried classic! It’s the perfect musical pairing with a big basket of crispy, juicy chicken straight from the deep South.
The Reality for the World’s Poor
Because many people in the world are unable to experience the simple pleasures Zac Brown describes:
A critical part of the Christian life of community is caring for the least of your sisters and brothers. We are fortunate that in this day and age, we can still help our less fortunate brothers and sisters who live around the world. And “serving your community” can mean giving money to them or even making a living working for health, economic development, or justice in low- or middle-income countries.
The idea that people should enjoy the little things in life and work together is a good one, and Zac Brown is right about that. But for Christians, accepting this ideal in a world where so many people are suffering means working for everyone’s safety, health, and community while still being thankful for what we have.
Zac Brown Band – Chicken Fried (Official Music Video) | The Foundation
FAQ
Who else sings “Chicken Fried”?
The song was first recorded in 2003 for the 2005 album Home Grown. The Lost Trailers, another country group, released their version in 2006 as a single, but it was withdrawn from radio. The Zac Brown Band re-recorded the song two years later and put it out as the first single from their album The Foundation.
Who is Zac Brown country singer?
Zachry Alexander Brown (born July 31, 1978) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is best known for being a co-founder and lead singer of the country band Zac Brown Band and the electronic dance music group Sir Rosevelt. In 2019, Brown released a pop surprise album titled The Controversy. Atlanta, Georgia, U. S.
Who made fried chicken popular?
Scottish immigrants are sometimes credited with creating the recipe. Many, however, believe it was brought from Africa. We will unlikely ever know who invented the first American fried chicken. However, there’s no doubt that those from West Africa are responsible for its popularity in the United States.
Why did Freddie Mercury say “fried chicken”?
“Fried chicken” This was the result of trying to come up with the proper wording of the song, and since it was not working, Freddie Mercury at some point introduced words that had nothing to do with the song for fun, as suggested by his partner, Jim Hutton.
When did the Zac Brown Band release Chicken Fried?
Watch the Zac Brown Band perform their hit Country Song “Chicken Fried”. The Zac Brown Band Chicken Fried song was first recorded in 2003 for the 2004 album “Home Grown”. Two years later, the Zac Brown Band re-recorded the song and released it as the first single from their album “The Foundation”.
Is Chicken Fried a country song?
No, thanks. “Chicken Fried” was first released in 2003, but it only got really popular in 2008 after the Zac Brown Band made it their first single off their first album with a major record company. It rose right to the top of the country charts, despite it being one of the most annoying country songs of all time.
Who wrote ‘Chicken fried’ in Witless Protection?
The song was featured in the 2008 comedy film Witless Protection. Brown began co-writing “Chicken Fried” with Wyatt Durrette several years before the song’s release. The two met when Brown was playing at a tavern in Atlanta, Georgia.
How many platinum albums did ‘chicken fried’ sell?
To date, they have sold more than 30 million singles and 9 million albums. The band’s first major label album, The Foundation, which was certified 5x platinum, came out in 2008. It included their hit first single, “Chicken Fried.” ”.