Jerry Reed was an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter who had great success as both a performer and songwriter during his long career in country music. Some of Reed’s most famous songs that he wrote include “Guitar Man”, “US Male”, “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot”, “Amos Moses”, “Alabama Wild Man”, and “The Bird”.
Reed’s Early Career
Jerry Reed was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1937. He began playing guitar at a young age and was inspired by country music and rockabilly artists like Chet Atkins and Elvis Presley. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Reed moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music. He signed with Capitol Records and released his first singles in 1958 and 1959, which did not gain much attention.
Reed first found success as a songwriter when Gene Vincent recorded his song “Crazy Legs” in 1958. Capitol Records hired Reed as a staff songwriter, where he wrote songs for popular artists like Gene Vincent, Brenda Lee, Ray Stevens, and Elvis Presley. Some of Reed’s early compositions included “A Fool Such as I” and “Pretty One”.
Breakthrough with “Guitar Man”
In 1967, Reed wrote and recorded what would become his most successful and well-known song – “Guitar Man”. Reed recalled coming up with the idea for the song: “One day I was walking down Broadway in Nashville with a guitar under my arm. A fellow stopped me and said, ‘Hello, Guitar Man. What a marvelous instrument. I’d sure love to pick like you.'” This interaction inspired Reed to write the song, which became a major hit when released, reaching #53 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Guitar Man” launched Reed into stardom. His unique talk-singing vocal style and advanced guitar playing made the song instantly recognizable. “Guitar Man” has been covered by many major artists, including Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Dolly Parton, and even Kanye West. The song’s success cemented Reed’s status as an accomplished guitarist and hit songwriter.
Peak Commercial Success
Following the success of “Guitar Man”, Reed continued releasing both his own records and writing big hits for other musicians throughout the late 1960s. In 1967, he released his most successful single, “Tupelo Mississippi Flash”, which reached #15 on the Billboard charts. Another top 20 hit was “Amos Moses” in 1970.
Some other Reed compositions that became major hits in the late 60s included:
- “U.S. Male” – Elvis Presley (1968)
- “Dreams of the Everyday Housewife” – Glen Campbell (1968)
- “Alabama Wild Man” – Tanya Tucker (1973)
- “A Thing Called Love” – Johnny Cash (1972)
- “Amos Moses” – Jerry Reed (1970)
- “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot” – Jerry Reed (1971)
Reed enjoyed enormous success as a songwriter during these peak years. His songs blended country, rock, soul, and humor in a way that resonated with audiences and musicians alike. Major artists were eager to record his songs.
Later Songwriting Hits
Even as Reed focused more on his performing career in the 1970s, he continued writing hit songs that were recorded by country stars. Some top Reed compositions from the 70s era include:
- “Lord, Mr. Ford” – Jerry Reed (1973)
- “If I Promise” – Jerry Reed (1975)
- “She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft)” – Jerry Reed (1980)
- “The Bird” – Jerry Reed (1982)
- “The Crude Oil Blues” – Jerry Reed (1974)
- “Let’s Git It On” – Jerry Reed (1977)
Reed’s gift for catchy lyrics and fun, freewheeling melodies made his songs ideal for the rowdy, honky-tonk country sound popular in the 70s. Artists like Johnny Cash, Tanya Tucker, and Elvis Presley continued recording Reed compositions throughout the decade.
Legacy as Songwriter
Over his long career, Jerry Reed wrote or co-wrote over 500 songs that were recorded by prominent artists. While he found fame as a singer and actor as well, his songwriting remained an essential part of his legacy in country music. Reed’s unique songwriting touches can be heard in country songs to this day.
Some key factors that made Reed’s songs so popular and influential include:
- Catchy melodies and humorous lyrics
- Clever wordplay and southern colloquialisms
- Incorporating rock, soul, and folk influences into country
- Relatable themes about everyday people and rural life
- Showcasing Reed’s incredible guitar skills
- Matching songs perfectly to the strengths of the recording artist
While “Guitar Man” remains his most recognizable hit, Reed’s songwriting catalog includes dozens of tunes that became country standards. His ability to appeal to pop, rock, and R&B audiences as well expanded the accessibility of country music.
Jerry Reed’s songs will continue to be played on country radio and covered by new generations of musicians. His songwriting skills were crucial to making him one of the most significant artists in country music history.
Notable Jerry Reed Songs
Here is a summary of some of the most famous and successful songs written by Jerry Reed over his decades-long songwriting career:
“Guitar Man” (1967)
- Reed’s first major songwriting hit
- Reached #53 on Billboard Hot 100
- Covered by Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Dolly Parton, and many more
- Established Reed’s “guitar man” persona
“U.S. Male” (1968)
- Recorded by Elvis Presley
- Top 30 Billboard country hit
- Showcased Reed’s ability to match his songs to specific artists
“Amos Moses” (1970)
- #1 country hit for Reed
- Namechecks popular Cajun fiddler Doug Kershaw
- Humorous tale of a backwoods poacher
“When You’re Hot, You’re Hot” (1971)
- Reed’s second #1 country hit as a singer
- Also peaked at #9 on Billboard Hot 100
- Uptempo ode to striking while the iron is hot
“Lord, Mr. Ford” (1973)
- A humorous song about laid-off auto workers
- Empathetic themes about blue-collar struggles
- Shows Reed’s storytelling skills about everyday people
“The Bird” (1982)
- Final top 10 country hit for Reed
- Showcases Reed’s wild, loose deliver and guitar licks
- Proved Reed could still deliver hits in the 80s
Conclusion
Throughout his career from the late 1950s through the 1980s, Jerry Reed established himself as one of the most successful and prolific songwriters in country music history. Songs like “Guitar Man”, “Amos Moses”, and “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot” became country standards that were recorded by the top stars of the genre. Reed’s unique songwriting style that blended humor, personality, and skilled musicianship left an influential impact on country music that can still be heard today. His songwriting was instrumental in making Reed a major force in country music for decades.