Who Sings “Chicken Fried”? The Full Story Behind the Country Anthem

Ever been drivin’ down a backroad with the windows down and heard that catchy tune about cold beer on a Friday night? If you’re wonderin’ who sings that fried chicken song that makes you feel all patriotic and hungry at the same time, I’ve got you covered! As a huge country music fan myself, I’m excited to dive into the history of this modern country classic.

The Short Answer: Zac Brown Band Sings “Chicken Fried”

“Chicken Fried” is performed by the Zac Brown Band, with frontman Zac Brown co-writing the song with Wyatt Durrette. Released in 2008 as the band’s debut single from their album “The Foundation,” it quickly became their first #1 hit on the Billboard country charts.

But there’s so much more to this song’s story than just who performs it!

The Interesting History Behind “Chicken Fried”

The journey of “Chicken Fried” is actually pretty fascinating and spans several years before it became the hit we know today.

The Song’s Origins

Zac Brown and Wyatt Durrette began writing “Chicken Fried” years before it topped the charts. They met at a tavern in Atlanta, Georgia where Brown was performing, and they started listing “things that are very southern or characteristic of the South” to include in the song.

What’s really interesting is that the song evolved over time:

• Initially started by Brown, then collaborative with Durrette
• The patriotic third verse (“I thank God for my life / For the stars and stripes…”) was added after the September 11 attacks
• Brown considered the song unfinished until he added a specific line to the second verse

The Song’s Unexpected Journey

Here’s where the story gets really juicy The Zac Brown Band actually first recorded “Chicken Fried” way back in 2003 and included it on their self-released 2005 album “Home Grown,”

Then things get complicated:

1. In 2006, another country group called The Lost Trailers covered the song as their first release for BNA Records
2. Their version actually entered the country charts!
3. But then something dramatic happened…

Brown had originally given permission for The Lost Trailers to record the song for their album BUT with the condition they wouldn’t release it as a radio single. When Brown heard their version playing on the radio, he was horrified – calling it his “worst nightmare.”

In a Nashville episode of “Sonic Highways” Brown explained his reaction “I call my lawyer and was like ‘Dude the fucking song is on the radio’… I was like, ya know, ‘Fuck that, the dude told me he wouldn’t fucking do it, and then he did it!'”

A cease-and-desist was issued, The Lost Trailers’ version was pulled from radio, and they released a different single instead.

The Commercial Success of “Chicken Fried”

Fast forward to 2008, and the Zac Brown Band re-recorded “Chicken Fried” for their fourth album “The Foundation,” produced by Keith Stegall. This version was released as the band’s first official single, and boy did it take off!

Chart Performance

• Reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in December 2008
• Made Zac Brown Band the first country group to reach #1 with a debut single since Heartland in 2006
• Peaked at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100
• Reached #10 on Canada’s Country chart

Sales and Certifications

The song has been incredibly successful commercially:

• Sold nearly 5 million copies in the US (4,913,000 as of July 2017)
• 9× Platinum certification in the United States
• Gold certification in Canada and the United Kingdom

What Made “Chicken Fried” So Popular?

I think what makes “Chicken Fried” so special is how it perfectly captures the everyday joys of southern life in America. The song celebrates simple pleasures like:

• Cold beer on a Friday night
• A pair of jeans that fit just right
• The radio up
• Sweet tea
• Homemade wine
• And of course, chicken fried!

But it’s not just about food and drink. The song cleverly weaves in deeper themes of patriotism, gratitude, and appreciation for those who serve in the military, especially in that third verse added after 9/11.

Did You Know These “Chicken Fried” Facts?

Some interesting tidbits about the song that most fans don’t know:

1. Alan Jackson almost recorded “Chicken Fried” shortly before the Zac Brown Band version was released, but declined because he felt he had too many other songs that mentioned food.

2. Some radio stations customized the lyric “Turn the radio up” to include their station name or branding instead. For example, Sacramento’s KNCI changed it to “KNCI up,” and stations branded as The Bull changed it to “Turn The Bull on up.”

3. The song was featured in the 2008 comedy film “Witless Protection.”

4. An Applebee’s TV advertisement featuring the song caused controversy when it aired on CNN during coverage of Russia’s military deployment across the border of Ukraine in February 2022. Applebee’s eventually pulled its advertising from CNN after the incident.

The Legacy of “Chicken Fried”

“Chicken Fried” has become more than just a hit song – it’s practically a cultural touchstone in country music. It was ranked #39 on Taste of Country’s “Top 100 Country Songs of All Time” chart.

The song helped launch the Zac Brown Band into stardom, setting the stage for their future hits like:

• “Whatever It Is”
• “Toes”
• “Highway 20 Ride”
• “Free”
• “Colder Weather”
• And many more!

My Personal Take

I gotta say, there’s something special about “Chicken Fried” that just connects with people. Whether you’re from the South or not, who can’t relate to appreciating the little things in life? I remember the first time I heard it – I was driving with the windows down on a summer evening, and when that chorus hit, I immediately cranked it up.

The way Zac Brown sings about fried chicken, cold beer, and being thankful for the simple pleasures hits different. It’s not trying to be profound or complicated – it’s just genuine appreciation for life’s basic joys.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it – “Chicken Fried” is sung by the Zac Brown Band, but it’s really so much more than just another country song. It’s a story of persistence (being written over several years), drama (the cease-and-desist saga), and ultimately massive success.

Next time you hear those familiar opening lines about the serenity of a country night and fried chicken, you’ll know the whole story behind who sings it and how it came to be!

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FAQ About “Chicken Fried” and Zac Brown Band

Q: When was “Chicken Fried” released?
A: The Zac Brown Band version was officially released on June 16, 2008.

Q: Who wrote “Chicken Fried”?
A: Zac Brown co-wrote the song with Wyatt Durrette.

Q: What album is “Chicken Fried” on?
A: It appears on “The Foundation,” which was Zac Brown Band’s major-label debut album.

Q: Has anyone else recorded “Chicken Fried”?
A: Yes, The Lost Trailers recorded a version in 2006, but it was withdrawn from radio after Zac Brown issued a cease-and-desist.

Q: What was Zac Brown Band’s next hit after “Chicken Fried”?
A: Their follow-up single was “Whatever It Is,” also from “The Foundation” album.

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