The Story of (Another) Skynyrd Song
When someone brings up Skynyrd, the first of their songs that anybody thinks of is Free Bird. After all it was an iconic song. However, what many people do not realize is that Skynyrd has had yet ANOTHER epic hit from their second album (cleverly?) titled Second Helping.
It was their first to chart...
Sweet Home Alabama was Skynyrd's first charting single. The single hit #8 in the US and, as previously stated, appeared on their second album Second Helping as the opening track. While the song has been misinterpreted slightly, it is actually a positive song reflecting Southern pride.
It (disses?) Neil Young
What many also may not realize, is that the song is a response to two of Neil Young's songs Southern Man (1970), and Alabama (1972) - both of which deal with the Southern themes of racism and slavery.
Furthermore, the second verse illustrationes this:
"Well I heard Mr. Young sing about her.
I heard ol' Neil put 'er down.
Well I hope Neil Young will remember
A Southern man don't need him around anyhow."
Despite this the band and Young have been in a friendly stance. Ronni Van Zandt has always worn Neil Young t-shirts, and the band even considered inviting Neil Young to one of their concerts to sing that part together, but it never worked out due of course to Young's busy touring and recording schedule.
Take a look at the original cover of Street Survivors. Ronnie Van Zandt is wearing a Neil Young t-shirt.
Muscle Schoals? Who were they?
First off, Muscle Schoals is a town in Alabama. Within it are a number of studios whre the so-called Muscle Schoals Rhythm Section - aka the Swampers, played as session musicians. Many records, Southern or otherwise, were made there. In fact, Sknyrd recorded ten songs for an album in 1972, which were later reissued in 1978 as Sknyrd's First...and Last.
The four guys started their career in FAME Studios playing for the likes of Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett. The Muscle Schoals Sound studio opened its doors in 1969. Perhaps one of the most famous LPs made at the studio was Rod Stewart's 1976 LP A Night on The Town.
It was covered!
In closing, Sweet Home Alabama has been covered several times. A country band named Alabama recorded the song in 2002 for their Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute album. Even Nirvana covered an acoustic version of the song during their unplugged show in New York after the audience wanted to hear...you guessed it Free Bird!
It was their first to chart...
Sweet Home Alabama was Skynyrd's first charting single. The single hit #8 in the US and, as previously stated, appeared on their second album Second Helping as the opening track. While the song has been misinterpreted slightly, it is actually a positive song reflecting Southern pride.
It (disses?) Neil Young
What many also may not realize, is that the song is a response to two of Neil Young's songs Southern Man (1970), and Alabama (1972) - both of which deal with the Southern themes of racism and slavery.
Furthermore, the second verse illustrationes this:
"Well I heard Mr. Young sing about her.
I heard ol' Neil put 'er down.
Well I hope Neil Young will remember
A Southern man don't need him around anyhow."
Despite this the band and Young have been in a friendly stance. Ronni Van Zandt has always worn Neil Young t-shirts, and the band even considered inviting Neil Young to one of their concerts to sing that part together, but it never worked out due of course to Young's busy touring and recording schedule.
Take a look at the original cover of Street Survivors. Ronnie Van Zandt is wearing a Neil Young t-shirt.
Muscle Schoals? Who were they?
First off, Muscle Schoals is a town in Alabama. Within it are a number of studios whre the so-called Muscle Schoals Rhythm Section - aka the Swampers, played as session musicians. Many records, Southern or otherwise, were made there. In fact, Sknyrd recorded ten songs for an album in 1972, which were later reissued in 1978 as Sknyrd's First...and Last.
The four guys started their career in FAME Studios playing for the likes of Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett. The Muscle Schoals Sound studio opened its doors in 1969. Perhaps one of the most famous LPs made at the studio was Rod Stewart's 1976 LP A Night on The Town.
It was covered!
In closing, Sweet Home Alabama has been covered several times. A country band named Alabama recorded the song in 2002 for their Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute album. Even Nirvana covered an acoustic version of the song during their unplugged show in New York after the audience wanted to hear...you guessed it Free Bird!
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