Molly Hatchet - The Deed Is Done

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of The Deed Is Done, the sixth studio album from the American southern rock band Molly Hatchet. This 1984 release spent a total of thirteen weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, with a top spot of 117.


The band’s sound shifted a bit with this album due to only having two guitarists. Steve Holland left the group and was replaced by keyboardist John Galvin, who previously had been part of the Danny Joe Brown Band with Hatchet’s lead singer.

Side one starts with “Satisfied Man”. As the first single, it went to number 81 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 13 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. The song definitely sounds like it was influenced by ZZ Top’s hit “Sharp Dressed Man” a year earlier.

Danny Joe Brown’s vocals on “Backstabber” seem to be channeling a bit of Sammy Hagar; it has the same sound Hagar would have when he later joined Van Halen in the late 80’s.

The high energy “She Does She Does” opens with a guest saxophone solo from Jim Horne. At just over six minutes in length, it is the longest track on the record.

“Intro Piece”, on the other hand, is the shortest at just over a minute. As the title suggests, it is an instrumental overture (with a gothic/sci-fi flair) that sets up the next track.

The second single “Stone In Your Heart” peaked at number 22 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. It speaks to the coldness of a former lover.

Side two begins with “Man on the Run”, which was also the B-side to the second single. This tale of a fugitive features a steady, pounding beat and ripping guitar riffs.

“Good Smoke and Whiskey” are the remains of man after his ex-wife takes him for everything he owned.

“Heartbreak Radio” is next. I like the use of a rollicking piano on this one; it gives it a throwback sound.

“I Ain’t Got You” features a swagger rhythm that very much typifies the southern rock sound of the late 70’s.

“Straight Shooter” was the B-side to the first single. Again, we get an example of how the 80’s had effected the southern rock sound. Still, the band blends those elements with their earlier sound and thus make something that was pure Molly Hatchet.

The album closes with “Song for the Children”, an acoustic guitar piece. It reminds me a bit of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” from 1976.

This was my first listen to The Deed Is Done, and I liked it quite a bit. It has a solid rock sound to it. You can check it out for yourself, as I did, at any of your favorite streaming services.

For more Molly Hatchet, click here.