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Dueling Banjos is a 1954 instrumental bluegrass song written by . It is mostly commonly associated with the 1972 film, Deliverance.

History[]

The song was originally composed in 1954 by Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith as an instrumental piece called "Feudin' Banjoys", alongside Don Reno. Although it was first heard in a 1963 episode of The Andy Griffith Show, it gained mainstream attention when it was featured in the 1972 film Deliverance (a film which many people falsely believed that MWC star Ed O'Neill appeared in.). It plays during a scene where a guitar plays is challenged by an inbred who is also a gifted banjo player.

The version used in Deliverance was arranged and performed by Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell. Because the duo did not seek approval from Smith, the original composer, they were later sued. Smith eventually won the lawsuit, getting his name added to the songwriter credits as well as royalties.

Besides its usage in Deliverance, the song has also been used in television and film scenes that takes place in the woods, typically as a sign of something ominous approaching.

Appearance on Married... with Children[]

In the season 3 episode, "The Camping Show", after Steve Rhoades informs Al Bundy about the cabin he booked for the two of them so they can go fishing, he asks Al what he thinks about. A gleeful Al then starts humming the intro riff, followed by Steve as they both play the air banjo and continue the song. Eventually Al has to stop Steve from continuing on, fearing that Peggy might hear them and figure out that they are going to have a good time.

In the season 3 episode, "Can't Dance, Don't Ask Me", during the dance recital held at Polk High School, an announcer tells the audience that the Ganaywick sisters will be doing a tap dance interpretation of the song. The intro of the song is then performed via the sounds of tap dance.

In the season 10 episode, "Bearly Men", after Ephraim Wanker left Al and Bud Bundy out in nature, the two Bundys sleep by a fire. After a moment, the intro riff is heard, causing them to wake up and look around. As they are about to fall back asleep, the rest of the song plays, causing the two of them to jump up and scream for the bear to leave them alone.

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