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 in 2003 for their album Home Grown. A few years later in 2006, another country group called The Lost Trailers recorded their own version of the song and released it as a single. However Brown had not given them permission for a radio release so their version was swiftly pulled from the airwaves.
This cleared the path for the Zac Brown Band to re-record “Chicken Fried” in 2008 and include it on their major label debut album, The Foundation. It was then sent to radio 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 struck a chord with country fans and radio programmers alike. In late 2008, “Chicken Fried” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It was the first debut single from a country group to top the chart since Heartland’s “I Loved Her First” in 2006.
“Chicken Fried” ended up being certified double platinum by the RIAA, signifying sales of over 2 million copies. It remains one of Zac Brown Band’s most popular and recognizable songs. They frequently perform it live to singalongs from adoring crowds. The song also introduced the world to Zac Brown Band’s unique blend of country, Southern rock, and other roots music influences.
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 lucky that in the modern world, the least of our brothers and sisters who live across the world are still within our means to help, and that “serving your community” can include reaching out to them via donations, or even through a career devoted to health, economic development, and justice in low or middle income countries.
Zac Brown is right that enjoyment of the simple things in life and of community is a great ideal. But the Christian acceptance of this ideal – in a world where so many suffer – means striving for material security, health, and community for everyone in the world while still retaining our own sense of gratefulness with what we’ve been blessed with.
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. Two years later, the Zac Brown Band re-recorded the song and released it 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 as the co-founder and lead singer of the country Zac Brown Band, as well as 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 released their debut major label studio album, certified 5x platinum, The Foundation, in 2008 featuring their hit debut single, “Chicken Fried.”