He’s talking about the smell of death that the drugs bring when you’re at your bottom. I remember my last trip into treatment. They had this thing called music therapy. The first day there the counselor would pick a song that they felt depicted you. THIS was the song I was given. Thank God 28 years later (as of 6/14) and still clean.
"That smell" is "the smell of DEATH surrounds you" talking about taking too many drugs, drinking too much, that lifestyle will kill you. The first line says " whiskey bottles, brand new car, oak tree you're in my way" , it's a song about why you should give up that life.
Agreed, The "smell" is metaphorical. There are those of us who are racing down a path of self destruction. It's obvious to everyone but them. Yes, drugs and alcohol play a role. But it isn't the driving force. The Eagles song Life In The Fast Lane also touches on this.
Story is that Garry Rossington had just bought a new car, was about six sheets to the wind, and hit an oak tree. Ronny and Allen (who got in several accidents hisself) wrote this song about it.
"The smell of death surrounds you." One of several rock songs about the danger of addiction, just telling it like it is. "The Needle and the Damage Done" by Neil Young. "Casey Jones" by The Grateful Dead.
LOL Neil Young Well I heard Mister Young sing about her Well, I heard ol' Neil put her down Well, I hope Neil Young will remember A southern man don't need him around anyhow
Jay and Amber You have to react to the southern Rock band BLACKFOOT From 1979 ,,Their song TRAIN TRAIN , Amber for you because you like the 70s And for Jay the harmonica AND THE GUITAR FIFF Is out standing ..It will blow your hat off into the next room lol , I cant WAIT for you two to React to TRAIN TRAIN ,, Take care you two,
This song is about Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington, who bought a new car (a Ford Torino), got drunk, and crashed it into a tree, then a house ("whiskey bottles, brand new car, oak tree you're in my way"). The band was supposed to start a tour in a few days, but had to postpone it because of Rossington's injuries.
Sounds similar to what happened with The Band's Rick Danko, and also Richard Manuel. Richard crashed several cars. Rick had bought a new car when the Band members first made some money, not long after, and right before they were suppose to tour, he hit a tree, broke his neck and back which left him in pain for the rest of his life, probably had something to do with his lifelong addiction to heroin. Love Skynard and The Band. Both great and so unique.
In a weird coincidence, every member of the band that the flames touched on the album cover , died in that unfortunate plane wreck in 1977. This is a great album. Ronnie Van Zant famously told his father that he wouldn't make it to 30, he didn't, unfortunately
There are/were 3 brother Ronnie, the original lead singer, Johnny, the youngest and current lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Donnie who was lead singer for .38 special. Extremely talented family
Actually Donnie was lead vocals in 38 in the 70's then they brought Don Barnes in in the 80's as Donnie wanted to focus more on guitar some songs Don Barnes is lead vocals others Donnie is
Woohoo!! Skynyrd! You can never go wrong with ANY Skynyrd song, and there are lots and lots of great songs by them! Just pick any song off any album! And they're also fantastic in concert, as I've seen them live over a dozen times! By the way, it's not the smell of drugs, it's the smell of DEATH associated with drug addiction.
My dad used to crack me up singing this song with silly lyric changes. This song makes me think of all the ways my dad would try to make us laugh. Thanks for the fun memory trigger. I miss that silly man! "Ooh that smell! Can't you smell that smell? Ooh that smell! So go take the trash out!" haha. My dad.
We do the same thing but with our dogs when it’s time for a bath. Great original message for sure. Don’t want to take away from that. Great track, legendary band.
"The smell" is the smell of death that surrounds you when getting deep into addictive substances. The oak tree he mentions in the first verse is an oak tree Gary Rossington crashed his Ford Torino into in Jacksonville, Florida. The tree is still there. Fans go and visit that damn tree. This what Ronnie Van Zant said about this incident in an interview. Years of hard work and tough touring were finally paying off for Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1976 - and then it all threatened to come to a literal screeching halt. The band was hit with a pair of near-tragedies over Labor Day weekend that year, when guitarists Gary Rossington and Allen Collins were both involved in a pair of potentially disastrous car accidents. Collins emerged the better off of the two, but Rossington was injured seriously enough that Skynyrd were forced to postpone some concert dates - leaving frontman Ronnie Van Zant ticked off enough to fine them $5,000 each. "It’s a terrible thing when you get behind the wheel and you’re so drunk that you can’t drive a car to begin with. Those boys will pay for it. Allen hit a parked Volkswagen and knocked it across an empty parking lot. That was just a fender-bender compared to Gary’s," Van Zant seethed. "I can’t tell you how mad I got at him for that. We’re glad he’s gonna make it, he’s tremendously lucky to be alive, but it was his fault. He passed out at the wheel of his brand new Ford Torino, with his foot on the gas. He knocked down a telephone pole, split an oak tree and did $7,000 worth of damage to a house. That’s being just plain stupid. I told him that on his hospital bed." Read More: 40 Years Ago: Lynyrd Skynyrd's Gary Rossington and Allen Collins Crash Their Cars | ultimateclassicrock.com/gary-rossington-allen-collins-car-crash/?
Road manager Dean Kilpatrick was involved in a car accident around that time as well. He had to have his spleen removed. The smell of death certainly was surrounding the band at that time and Ronnie sensed it.
Hell of an accident and to have survived, then the plane crash... sort of make a person wonder. Also this sentence is seemingly a forgotten path in today's music world. "Years of hard work and tough touring were finally paying off for Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1976"
In addition to everything you guys mentioned about the construction of their songs, I always marvel at how strong their back-up singers are. They totally get to shine in this song ("Hell yeah!").
Great reaction! My brother Ty had tickets to see them for this tour but the plane crash happened before he got to see them. The drummer Artimus Pyle after the crash had a chest injury and waded through a creek and made his way to a farmhouse where he startled the young farmer who thought he was an escaped convict! By the way, many people have mentioned what band members died but so did both pilots, a backing vocalist and an assistant road manager. Every life matters y’all!
The irony is that the guitarist who this song is written about was the very last surviving original member of this band. Sadly he passed this year , 46 years after this song was released
After the plane crash, most of the survivors formed the Rossington Collins Band, with Ms. Dale Krantz on lead vocals. Dale married and is still married to Gary Rossington. I wish you would react to their song “Don’t Misunderstand Me” (album recording). Dale has an awesome voice.
Im old but feel so lucky and blessed to grow up listening to great music like this. The 70's were just amazing as far as music goes. These guys were so so good.
Ronnie Van Zant wrote this song from the actual experiences of two band members in 1976. Guitarists Gary Rossington and Allen Collins were both involved in automobile accidents that were alcohol and drug induced. Rossington was seriously injured from his accident. Van Zant was furious with both band members and nearly fired them, but instead fined both of them $5,000 each, which was a lot of money in 1976. Van Zant laid down the law to the band that they would be fired no questions asked if any of them were involved in any more car wrecks involving drugs and alcohol.
Bought the album when the released it. Was going to work a few days later and they were talking about the crash. Still remember that morning. Drove to work in silence. Couldn't look at the cover for years.
So this is the original album cover but after the crash it was recalled and they moved the plain photo from the back to the front, I have this album x2 unopened
There are so many awesome Skynard songs! Anything from Lynard Skynard Gold and Platinum...Southern Rock at it's finest. My late nephew and I shared a great love of Skynard...we played alotta Skynard at his viewing in 2000...
One of the best Southern rock bands this song is great 😉 If you notice the album cover has flames on it, The band members that where killed in the plane crash. The cover is a collection piece. They stopped printing it with the flames. The album came out right before the crash.
this song was written in regards of the lead guitarist Gary rossington drinking and drugging and crashing his car. it's kind of a intervention in song form.
@@flyingburritobro68 yeah this song might of never existed if not for the car accident part. Don't think he would have wrote it just for the booze and drugs.
@@flyingburritobro68 I've read Van Zandt was so pissed-off at Gary that he said, "I just wanted to blow some lines and crank some H then write a morbid song". Kinda says where they were all at at that point.
Finally, you're hearing this song. One of their best. A great message. BUT, I'm so disappointed that you didn't listen with lyrics because it's so easy to miss some of the lyrics, like one that really helps you get the meaning of the song 'the smell of death surrounds you'. It's hard to hear. I didn't hear it for the first few times. Not the smell of the drugs. And it looked like you didn't even get the first lyrics 'whiskey bottle, brand new car, oak tree you're in my way'. And, 'tomorrow might not be here for you'. Go back and listen to it with the lyrics. Oh, and the guitar, the music, in this song. Just awesome.
Guys this is actually an anti- drug song, hence, "monkey on your back"! "The smell of death surrounds you"! Thanks so much for your appreciation of this fabulous band. BTW, Free Bird is the National Anthem of Southern Rock!
One of their best songs. The guitar work is just a tour de force, and it's one of Ronnie Van Zant's best, most serious lyrics, about a deadly serious subject that they were actually living. As usual, he is as blunt and deadly honest as you can be, pulls no punches. It doesn't come off as preachy or holier-than-thou, it's just hard truth told without any pretension. They were one of the best bands of their era, and in the Southern Rock genre they were in a class by themselves.
Love Lynyrd Skynyrd. Seen them before they were famous. From my home town,Jacksonville. You guys are awesome. You guys are the best. I’ve posted a few request for Emerson Lake and Palmer “From the Beginning” off their Trilogy album. This is one of those songs Amber would love. I can’t wait for the reaction. Love you guys!
One of the most powerful lyrics ever written.. "you'll be all right come tomorrow but tomorrow might not be here for you" ... I think maybe every one of us has known someone or maybe even in our own lives where that phrase, it'll be all right tomorrow, is a coverall for the worst that drug abuse and addiction has to offer.. the smell of death surrounds you! Great song one of my favorite from Lynyrd Skynyrd and awesome reaction as always guys!
I saw Lynyrd Skynyrd play at the Hollywood Sportatorium in Hollywood, FL. They played three more concerts before the plane crash. I was a big fan already and my friends and I were pumped to see them live. They opened with a song from this album, might have been " What's Your Name ". I remember the crowd looking at each other going wtf because nobody had heard it yet. Didn't take long before everyone was into it and the crowd went wild. Soooooo many great Skynyrd songs and That Smell is one of my all time favorites.
This is one of my top 3 Skynyrd songs! It’s an anti substance abuse song , reactors often miss that. The smell is death “the smell of death surrounds you”. Ronnie Van Zant was inspired to write the song when guitarist Gary Rossington was in a car accident, due to his alcoholism and substance abuse. “Whiskey bottles, brand new car, oak tree you’re in my way” (Rossington crashed his car into an oak tree) “Can’t speak a word when you’re full of ludes” (Rossington had developed an addiction to Quualudes)
They just go balls to the wall, every time. I can't even think of a mediocre song by them. They have great songs and better than great songs 😅. They're so amazing. 😮❤😮❤😮I love them.
@@judysmith6563 there's only so much to draw off the original skynard. Not every tune is airplay, just deep cuts. That smell is a strong low 1/high2 tune!
There are a lot of great songs (especially in Rock) that speak honestly on addiction and it's realities, some are the warnings against it and others are just flat out telling it the way it is, and I think it's pretty safe to say these artists know what they're talking about. It's a really sensitive and very serious subject that should probably be talked about more. Another song by Lynyrd Skynyrd is "The Needle & the Spoon" I've seen Neil Young's "Needle and the Damage Done" already mentioned, but there are many others. "Junkie" by Ozzy also comes to mind. Personally I have not seen a reaction to this song, where the reactor realizes he's saying "the smell of DEATH surrounds you" the ppl I've seen react all think he's say "this" which I can understand it does kind of sound that way. I know this song means something so much deeper to those that have experienced the meaning of the song for themselves. This song actually makes me tear up, especially when it gets to the verse that slows down. I'm an addict, in recovery, but it's always there & u have to fight it. For so long this was my reality. Starting really young I started losing friends to addiction. Decades later, and ALMOST every single friend or close acquaintance I had back then has been taken by ODs or drug related incidents like car accidents, most were due to the needle, honestly it's not Earthly possible that I'm still here, I know I've had a lot of help from above, my mom and grandma was always praying , but It's not just the substances but the lifestyle that goes with it, it's very fast and dangerous if you're not always aware of ppl and surroundings and having you're guard up & a lot of common sense and street smarts which if you don't already know you'll learn QUICKLY! The town I live in is really small and a lot of ppl are considered poverty stricken, it has one of, if not the highest fatality rate from over dose and it keeps growing . At one time the lyrics in this song "the smell of death around you" hit like a punch in the face, it still hits hard everytime I hear it, but back at that time I'm referring to in my life everyone I knew, knew it was a gamble and a part of it all and the risks that goes with it. There is so much that comes with addiction tho and not what most non addicted ppl think or not only what they see, I realize it's impossible to know what something really is and feels like when they've never felt or experienced it and so I don't blame them, but I've seen comments and heard ppl that were so mean and cruel when speaking of an addict, every personality is different, not everyone is exactly the same, but one thing for all addicts is that it is horrible, it makes you physically sick beyond belief when ur without it & it messes with your mental state of being, it eventually takes your looks, health, mind, possessions, friends, family, job, EVERYTHING before it takes your literal life, and it also makes and keeps you it's slave, you can forget about dreams and life goals when your in active addiction, but no matter how a person wants to it's not so simple or easy to just quit or walk away from, there's even risk in death from certain withdrawals, there's such sickness with withdrawals that I'd go into panic attacks just thinking about not being able to find more later, and honestly the sickness from withdrawals cause a lot of ppl to commit crimes from complete despair and desperation just to get another fix to stop it, bc this physical sickness can be severe and last what seems like forever, then there's the mental mess ups, anxiety, depression, etc u have at the same time (I wanna insert here that I'm not implying that an addict should get a pass or is any way in the right if they commit any crimes, such as stealing, conning, violence or any other, I'm just stating that its a major cause and it's not just for the "high" in it, eventually it becomes necessary to function and maintain and desperation from not having it bc of the withdrawal effects is the reason why with addicts) I'm speaking on all drugs, not just a specific type, addiction is addiction including alcohol. I'm actually tearing up writing this bc of how emotional it makes me thinking of everything and the ppl I've lost a long the years. This song is the greatest at being honest about the effects and lifestyle of addiction. I always felt it also did great at portraying the fight inside one's self that struggles with substance abuse with the music alone, the ups and downs of it, the fast, faster, fastest, then the slowed and the abrupt finish at the end, whether it's meant that way or not, it's just the rollercoaster of the pace of the music, fast then slowed, & also the flood of emotions it evokes, it makes u feel bad ass and invincible in parts, then when it slows and speaks of the reality of death and your life it fills you with regret, sorrow, & just feeling foolish, just like he says "you're just a fool" Ps I'm sorry I just went on a rant, I got lost in my own thoughts and I guess this was also me venting. Thanks to anyone that read this entire comment altho I detoured off the subject of music. It's just a topic I understand and am compassionate & passionate about in warning others about addiction and the effects and consequences & also music is the one thing I'm most passionate about, so when they combine I'm an emotional wreck sometimes bc it causes me to reflect, and I have a lot of thoughts to say. Have A Happy Day! ☮️❤️🎶😊
This album was released just shortly before the plane crash killed band members of which Ronnie VanZant (lead singer) died....Not long after that terrible crash the Album cover with the fire on it's cover was changed with the fire out of it...another ironic note is the name of the Album which is survivors...There were three VanZant brothers...Ronnie (Lynerd Skynerd), Donnie who played with the band "38 Special" and Johnny who over lead vocals in Lynard Skynard after Ronnie died in the plane crash...Love you guys...your my fav reactors...
The first few lines of of the song was written about their guitar player Gary Rossington. "Whiskey bottles, and brand new cars Oak tree you're in my way" as Gary was drunk and high when drove off the road, and he hit a oak tree with his car. Ronny got fed up with the drugs in the band and told them stop or they were out. This was the last tour with all the original band as in October of 1977 their plane went down. Killing Ronny, Steve, And Cassy from the band.
This song makes me emotional. Ronnie was such a master in writing lyrics, and he knew he was going to die young, before age 30 as he told his dad. This was almost a prophecy of his death along with the 5 others including Steve and Cassie, due to how Skynyrd lived their lives. This album being released 3 days before the plane crash, is beyond eerie. Ronnie knew. Also, I know they were brothers, but to mention Ronnie and Johnny in the same breath is doing such a disservice to the real Lynyrd Skynyrd. The real Lynyrd Skynyrd died with the plane crash. I don't think they should have continued with the same name
I agree. I understand they want to continue the legacy or did. I think they should have done it under a different name and just played the songs live. There new albums in my opinion are a disgrace to the name. They just aren't good AT ALL
I agree with your opinion 100%..I saw them right after the crash as rossington/Collins, even they didn't continue with the name, n freebird then was done as an instrumental, no vocals..they're pretty much a cover band now
In my opinion, Skynyrd has the best guitar songs to ever exist. Might not be the best GUITARISTS per se, but as far as solo’s that perfectly fit within a songs structure, nobody does it better!
Of course I saw Lynyrd Skynyrd play That Smell live in Anaheim. It was actually a new song on the upcoming album.. They play That Smell and What’s your Name and they might’ve played more but I don’t remember the Street Survivors is a great album. Love you guys keep up the great work!
Have listened to their live album. " One More from the Road" .You'll love it. All great songs !!! Just spin it no need to react to it unless you want too. You two Rock !!! Love your videos.
Hell yes! Love traveling man, and heading home from that set! Not to mention their blistering cover of creams crossroads ( Eric himself, upon hearing it said " now why didn't I do it like that?" About Allen's solo) and Jimmie Roger's gimme a t for texas.
Every guitar player, including myself, have tried to play that opening riff like Gary does. Gary is playing a Gibson Les Paul, probably thru a Peavey 'tube' amp. So you can have the right gear, but getting that harmonic to sustain on the verge of feedback is sheer wizardry! Remember they didnt have all the digital effects and processing that we have now. They had to know how to play FOR REAL and be spectacular at it. The guitar solo in this is cool because you can very definitely hear 2 different guitars. The first guitar is Steve Gaines playing a Fender Stratocaster w/ single coil pickups. Its a thinner, kinda woody and twangy sound. Then in comes Alan Collins on a Gibson Explorer with humbucker pickups. Humbuckers are 2 single coil pickups wound together (sometimes there is a metal cover over them, sometimes not). Its a more full and powerful sound. Take a close listen to this song, maybe do it twice. The guitar parts are pretty complex. Skynyrd Forever!!
In my former line of work, I saw thousands of people who had ruined their lives and the lives of others because of drugs. This song is very powerful in describing the smell of death that surrounds those who have taken that life too far.
This song is about Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington, who bought a new car (a Ford Torino), got drunk, and crashed it into a tree, then a house ("whiskey bottles, brand new car, oak tree you're in my way"). The band was supposed to start a tour in a few days, but had to postpone it because of Rossington's injuries.The band fined Rossington $5000 for holding up the tour. Skynyrd made an effort to stay sober on this tour. Drugs and alcohol were banned from the dressing rooms.3 days after the release of this song was the ill fated crash.
It's insane that the frontman wrote it as a warning to his bandmate to not lose himself to drugs or he'd die, and in a few days after the album's release, the frontman, and several others were killed in the plane crash.
J & Amber, listen to "Sweet Home Alabama" next, its iconic!!!! edit - the alcohol/drugs lead guitarist Gary Rossington to crash his car into an oak tree in Jacksonville, Florida.
There’s Ronnie, Johnny, and Donnie Van Zant. What a lot of people don’t know is that Donnie (the brother that didn’t cover Ronnie when he died) made his own band .38 special, which is also a successful band. Their earlier songs have that southern rock sound to it too. They sang well into the 80’s too.
This song was actually written about guitarist Gary Rossington after he was in a bad car crash down in Florida. He was under the influence of quaaludes at the time and fell asleep at the wheel. Ronnie Van Zandt’s attempt to make him see he was developing a serious problem.
This album titled Street survivors was a limited edition with this cover picture where the band standing in flames, it was released 3 days before their October 20th plane crash and the record label pulled the album and change the cover because they thought it could be construed as unrespectable.
This song & their song "The Needle & The Spoon" are very straight to the point. Both are about the dangers of drug abuse. He says in the song "ooh,I've been there." So he makes it gritty from experience.
I didn't want to dig through your archives to see if you've done them before but if not you've absolutely got to check out the Outlaws especially their song Green Grass and High Tides forever and another song called hurry sundown they've done a cover of Ghost Riders in the Sky as well there is some excellent live footage of these songs too
There’s not a lot of the original albums that have the flames on them. Gaines and Van Zandt both died in the plane crash three days after the release of this album street survivors. They stopped in production and switched it to a picture of the band with a black background only on all the rest of the albums..
OMG, you mentioned Free bird, and something dawned on me, so I went and checked ... and sure 'nuff, you listened to the studio version ... something I usually appreciate but, you absolutely NEED to listen to the live 1977 version from the Oakland Coliseum (th-cam.com/video/QxIWDmmqZzY/w-d-xo.html ) !!! Your lives won't be complete without seeing it. You know the song, so you will see and feel the build up when it comes, and I KNOW you will be impressed.
In my humble opinion, the best live version of Free Bird was on the "One More From the Road" album, recorded at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. The guitar solos at the end will melt your face off.
Great song & band! One of my fave songs by them. This song is on the '77 Street Survivors LP & the original album cover showed the band enveloped in flames. The plane crash was 3 days after the release of the album & out of respect for the deceased, MCA Records withdrew the original cover & replaced it with a similar image of the band against a black background, which was on the back cover of the original sleeve. Add to that the lyrics; "...But tomorrow might not be here for you... The smell of death surrounds you..." Just crazy, & the band had really been on a roll accomplishing so much in just over 4 1/2 years. They were an amazingly incredible & very talented band!
This song is specifically about Gary Rossington’s car crash and other incidents, a guitarist in the band, who ironically survived the plane crash and tours with the band to this day.
Ronnie wrote this in reference to guitarist Gary Rossington's car crash where he collided with an oak tree while messed up on just about every drug known to man ..
These were the times, I am a survivor,many did not, sex,drugs and rocknroll that was it,grateful to have survived,many did not, RIP my fellow rockers...........................
When the plane crash took place Skynyrd was at the height of their career. That plane crash for many Rock fans like myself was the worst day in Rock history. This album was their new record. It was also their best record track for track. After Allen and Gary began to recover they start trying to figure out how they would carry on. They didn't want to go out on the road as Lynyrd Skynyrd. They felt that it would be disrespectful to the memory of Ronnie Van Zant, Steve and Cassie Gains who had passed in the plane crash. So they formed a new band called the Rossington Collins Band. They cut a record with Dale Krantz (later to be Dale Krantz Rossington) as the lead vocalist. May I suggest that as a tribute to Gary who just passed that you react to "Don't Misunderstand Me". That album had a couple of other great songs but I'm giving you the big one first. Then if you want you can go on to "Opportunity", "Getaway" and "Sometimes you can put it out". Thanks.
Two of my favorite lines: “Just one more fix, Lord might do the trick. One hell of a price for you to get your kicks.” and “You say you’ll be alright come tomorrow, but tomorrow might not be here for you.”
What a great song! I think when we were young many didn’t understand the meaning of this song. This will never get old and lyrically it’s a real lesson.
Right behind Freebird as my favorite Skynyrd tune. Written about Gary Rossington. Must be something to play a song every night that addresses your past problems.
Billy Powell, was actually their booker, he was a “Concert Pianist “ which they did not know, sum of th band members went out 4 lunch, when they came back, Billy, was doing that thang on th piano for Freebird, and History was made
He’s talking about the smell of death that the drugs bring when you’re at your bottom. I remember my last trip into treatment. They had this thing called music therapy. The first day there the counselor would pick a song that they felt depicted you. THIS was the song I was given. Thank God 28 years later (as of 6/14) and still clean.
Woo Hoo One day at a time!
Major CONGRATULATIONS!!!!🤘🤘🤘🤘
Congratulations! Stay strong! 👍🏻
Way to go man! 9/?/2006 for me...
I'm so proud of you, even though I don't know you. All is love!
One of the most potent "anti substance abuse" songs ever written. Right up there with Neil Young's "The Needle and the Damage Done".
a profoundly chilling, on-the-edge song.
Also Black Sabbath's Hand of Doom
Needle and the Spoon, is another of theirs that is a great knock on the evils of drug use.
Steppenwolf's "The Pusher" is a little conflicted on the matter, but a good song
I hope Neil Young will remember that a southern man don't need him around anyhow.
"That smell" is "the smell of DEATH surrounds you" talking about taking too many drugs, drinking too much, that lifestyle will kill you. The first line says " whiskey bottles, brand new car, oak tree you're in my way" , it's a song about why you should give up that life.
There ya go!! That is what the smell is not the smell of drugs.
Agreed, The "smell" is metaphorical. There are those of us who are racing down a path of self destruction. It's obvious to everyone but them. Yes, drugs and alcohol play a role. But it isn't the driving force. The Eagles song Life In The Fast Lane also touches on this.
I've been suggesting to them for a while that they need to check out Dale's vocals on Female Fridays.
Story is that Garry Rossington had just bought a new car, was about six sheets to the wind, and hit an oak tree. Ronny and Allen (who got in several accidents hisself) wrote this song about it.
I smell drugs man!
"The smell of death surrounds you."
One of several rock songs about the danger of addiction, just telling it like it is. "The Needle and the Damage Done" by Neil Young. "Casey Jones" by The Grateful Dead.
Also, the needle and the spoon by Lynyrd skynyrd. That's one of their best songs in my opinion.
LOL Neil Young
Well I heard Mister Young sing about her
Well, I heard ol' Neil put her down
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
A southern man don't need him around anyhow
The Pusher by Steppenwolf.
"Poison Whiskey"
"Wino"
@@ronaldhorsley1600 Much as Inigo Montoya said to Vizzini... I don't think that means what you think it means.
This is my favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd song it's a dark warning about the life so many of them were living.
Jay and Amber You have to react to the southern Rock band BLACKFOOT From 1979 ,,Their song TRAIN TRAIN , Amber for you because you like the 70s And for Jay the harmonica AND THE GUITAR FIFF Is out standing ..It will blow your hat off into the next room lol , I cant WAIT for you two to React to TRAIN TRAIN ,, Take care you two,
My fav too...powerfull song!!
This song is about Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington, who bought a new car (a Ford Torino), got drunk, and crashed it into a tree, then a house ("whiskey bottles, brand new car, oak tree you're in my way"). The band was supposed to start a tour in a few days, but had to postpone it because of Rossington's injuries.
Yes, and his constant drug and alcohol abuse.
The tree Gary hit still stands to this day in the west side of Jacksonville FL-it’s a VERY LARGE oak tree
Sounds similar to what happened with The Band's Rick Danko, and also Richard Manuel. Richard crashed several cars. Rick had bought a new car when the Band members first made some money, not long after, and right before they were suppose to tour, he hit a tree, broke his neck and back which left him in pain for the rest of his life, probably had something to do with his lifelong addiction to heroin. Love Skynard and The Band. Both great and so unique.
AN ABSOLUTELY PERFECT SONG !!!
10 out of 10.
In a weird coincidence, every member of the band that the flames touched on the album cover , died in that unfortunate plane wreck in 1977. This is a great album. Ronnie Van Zant famously told his father that he wouldn't make it to 30, he didn't, unfortunately
10-20-77
@@CadillacL I wanted to put 1977,but second guessed myself, thanks.
@@brianmcmaster5112 you’re welcome, no problem. Staggering that it was only three days later 😞
When they first announced the news about the crash I'm like going "their ok" but nope. Still sad 😢😢😢
That's a creepy coincidence.
There are/were 3 brother Ronnie, the original lead singer, Johnny, the youngest and current lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Donnie who was lead singer for .38 special. Extremely talented family
Actually for brothers...Runny, Donny, Johnny and lonny.
Close Donnie plays guitar in 38 special and Don Barnes is the lead vocalist.
Actually Donnie was lead vocals in 38 in the 70's then they brought Don Barnes in in the 80's as Donnie wanted to focus more on guitar some songs Don Barnes is lead vocals others Donnie is
Woohoo!! Skynyrd! You can never go wrong with ANY Skynyrd song, and there are lots and lots of great songs by them! Just pick any song off any album! And they're also fantastic in concert, as I've seen them live over a dozen times!
By the way, it's not the smell of drugs, it's the smell of DEATH associated with drug addiction.
I love some Lynyrd Skynyrd!!!
Me too!
Me too. I love the original Lynyrd Skynyrd. Not the Skynyrd that's around today.
My dad used to crack me up singing this song with silly lyric changes. This song makes me think of all the ways my dad would try to make us laugh. Thanks for the fun memory trigger. I miss that silly man! "Ooh that smell! Can't you smell that smell? Ooh that smell! So go take the trash out!" haha. My dad.
We do the same thing but with our dogs when it’s time for a bath.
Great original message for sure. Don’t want to take away from that. Great track, legendary band.
"The smell" is the smell of death that surrounds you when getting deep into addictive substances. The oak tree he mentions in the first verse is an oak tree Gary Rossington crashed his Ford Torino into in Jacksonville, Florida. The tree is still there. Fans go and visit that damn tree. This what Ronnie Van Zant said about this incident in an interview.
Years of hard work and tough touring were finally paying off for Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1976 - and then it all threatened to come to a literal screeching halt.
The band was hit with a pair of near-tragedies over Labor Day weekend that year, when guitarists Gary Rossington and Allen Collins were both involved in a pair of potentially disastrous car accidents. Collins emerged the better off of the two, but Rossington was injured seriously enough that Skynyrd were forced to postpone some concert dates - leaving frontman Ronnie Van Zant ticked off enough to fine them $5,000 each.
"It’s a terrible thing when you get behind the wheel and you’re so drunk that you can’t drive a car to begin with. Those boys will pay for it. Allen hit a parked Volkswagen and knocked it across an empty parking lot. That was just a fender-bender compared to Gary’s," Van Zant seethed. "I can’t tell you how mad I got at him for that. We’re glad he’s gonna make it, he’s tremendously lucky to be alive, but it was his fault. He passed out at the wheel of his brand new Ford Torino, with his foot on the gas. He knocked down a telephone pole, split an oak tree and did $7,000 worth of damage to a house. That’s being just plain stupid. I told him that on his hospital bed."
Read More: 40 Years Ago: Lynyrd Skynyrd's Gary Rossington and Allen Collins Crash Their Cars | ultimateclassicrock.com/gary-rossington-allen-collins-car-crash/?
Road manager Dean Kilpatrick was involved in a car accident around that time as well. He had to have his spleen removed. The smell of death certainly was surrounding the band at that time and Ronnie sensed it.
Hell of an accident and to have survived, then the plane crash... sort of make a person wonder. Also this sentence is seemingly a forgotten path in today's music world.
"Years of hard work and tough touring were finally paying off for Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1976"
And just think, Rossington is the last original member alive today.
That guitar work and those vocals feel like home to me. Thanks for your light, Lynyrd, even if you were only a shooting star.
One of my favorite Skynyrd songs. The guitar work is immaculate.
In addition to everything you guys mentioned about the construction of their songs, I always marvel at how strong their back-up singers are. They totally get to shine in this song ("Hell yeah!").
No lie. They're bigger than all outdoors here. r k
Great reaction! My brother Ty had tickets to see them for this tour but the plane crash happened before he got to see them. The drummer Artimus Pyle after the crash had a chest injury and waded through a creek and made his way to a farmhouse where he startled the young farmer who thought he was an escaped convict! By the way, many people have mentioned what band members died but so did both pilots, a backing vocalist and an assistant road manager. Every life matters y’all!
The way the guitars set the mood of this song is is off the wall. One of the best from Skynyrd.
Absolutely man. They make the whole tone
The irony is that the guitarist who this song is written about was the very last surviving original member of this band. Sadly he passed this year , 46 years after this song was released
:You say hat you'll be alright come tomorrow, but tomorrow might not be there for you" ...words of wisdom....powerful stuff
Greatest opening song line ever...."whiskey bottles, brand new car, oak tree your in my way".
Not a good mix
yep
After the plane crash, most of the survivors formed the Rossington Collins Band, with Ms. Dale Krantz on lead vocals. Dale married and is still married to Gary Rossington. I wish you would react to their song “Don’t Misunderstand Me” (album recording). Dale has an awesome voice.
I posted a request for Don’t misunderstand me a few weeks ago. Great tune
Getaway is another fav or mine. Dale has a great voice...Rossington Collins was an amazing band!
Nah, they gotta check out the live version, where Dale sings it as a duet with Travis tritt!
I prefer “sometimes you can put it out”
Over “don’t misunderstand me”
I had the Rossington Collins album...killer!!
The smell of death's around you. great line
Goes right with Needle and the Damage Done by Neil Young. Love that guitar too
Im old but feel so lucky and blessed to grow up listening to great music like this.
The 70's were just amazing as far as music goes. These guys were so so good.
Gary Rossington on the intro and outro guitar again. But Allen and Steve also step up with individual solos. Steve Gaines was unbelievable.
Really tragic loss of Steve. He had so much talent and potential
Ronnie Van Zant wrote this song from the actual experiences of two band members in 1976. Guitarists Gary Rossington and Allen Collins were both involved in automobile accidents that were alcohol and drug induced. Rossington was seriously injured from his accident. Van Zant was furious with both band members and nearly fired them, but instead fined both of them $5,000 each, which was a lot of money in 1976. Van Zant laid down the law to the band that they would be fired no questions asked if any of them were involved in any more car wrecks involving drugs and alcohol.
Great song, also from them try Give Me Back My Bullets, another classic banger from them. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎸🎶
Bought the album when the released it. Was going to work a few days later and they were talking about the crash. Still remember that morning. Drove to work in silence. Couldn't look at the cover for years.
They said one time on a documentary about the band that Ronnie never wrote down any of his lyrics he just remembered them. An amazing singer
So this is the original album cover but after the crash it was recalled and they moved the plain photo from the back to the front, I have this album x2 unopened
There are so many awesome Skynard songs! Anything from Lynard Skynard Gold and Platinum...Southern Rock at it's finest. My late nephew and I shared a great love of Skynard...we played alotta Skynard at his viewing in 2000...
I love the MCA Legends CD. Georgia Peaches, I Ain't the One in the Sun, Truck Driving Man, Four Walls of Raiford.
@@NandR I love "The Hunt" and "I Need You"...they are awesome on live version! 2 greats that didn't get as much air time...just all Skynyrd...
“ The smell of death that surrounds you” is the end of the chorus…it’s basically anti-substance abuse
Its about the guitarist
Yes. It’s about Gary Rossington. One of the three guitarist playing on this song. He is the only member on the album cover still alive and touring.
One of the best Southern rock bands this song is great 😉 If you notice the album cover has flames on it, The band members that where killed in the plane crash. The cover is a collection piece. They stopped printing it with the flames. The album came out right before the crash.
this song was written in regards of the lead guitarist Gary rossington drinking and drugging and crashing his car. it's kind of a intervention in song form.
Kind of funny coming from Van Zant sho was more of an alcoholic etc than Gary most of the time.
@@flyingburritobro68 yeah this song might of never existed if not for the car accident part. Don't think he would have wrote it just for the booze and drugs.
I remembered it was written to poke at one of the band members. Good stuff.
@@flyingburritobro68 I've read Van Zandt was so pissed-off at Gary that he said, "I just wanted to blow some lines and crank some H then write a morbid song". Kinda says where they were all at at that point.
I'm glad someone knows the history behind this song!
This album was only out 3 days before the tragic plane crash ended it all
Finally, you're hearing this song. One of their best. A great message. BUT, I'm so disappointed that you didn't listen with lyrics because it's so easy to miss some of the lyrics, like one that really helps you get the meaning of the song 'the smell of death surrounds you'. It's hard to hear. I didn't hear it for the first few times. Not the smell of the drugs.
And it looked like you didn't even get the first lyrics 'whiskey bottle, brand new car, oak tree you're in my way'.
And, 'tomorrow might not be here for you'.
Go back and listen to it with the lyrics.
Oh, and the guitar, the music, in this song. Just awesome.
I Agree, sometimes I wish they’d listen a little more to the lyrics, especially with songs like these.
more interested in bopping his head showing he is "getting into it"
Guys this is actually an anti- drug song, hence, "monkey on your back"! "The smell of death surrounds you"! Thanks so much for your appreciation of this fabulous band. BTW, Free Bird is the National Anthem of Southern Rock!
One of their best songs. The guitar work is just a tour de force, and it's one of Ronnie Van Zant's best, most serious lyrics, about a deadly serious subject that they were actually living. As usual, he is as blunt and deadly honest as you can be, pulls no punches. It doesn't come off as preachy or holier-than-thou, it's just hard truth told without any pretension. They were one of the best bands of their era, and in the Southern Rock genre they were in a class by themselves.
Love Lynyrd Skynyrd. Seen them before they were famous. From my home town,Jacksonville. You guys are awesome. You guys are the best. I’ve posted a few request for Emerson Lake and Palmer “From the Beginning” off their Trilogy album. This is one of those songs Amber would love. I can’t wait for the reaction. Love you guys!
One of the most powerful lyrics ever written.. "you'll be all right come tomorrow but tomorrow might not be here for you" ... I think maybe every one of us has known someone or maybe even in our own lives where that phrase, it'll be all right tomorrow, is a coverall for the worst that drug abuse and addiction has to offer.. the smell of death surrounds you! Great song one of my favorite from Lynyrd Skynyrd and awesome reaction as always guys!
This song still gives me goosebumps.
Everytime
I saw Lynyrd Skynyrd play at the Hollywood Sportatorium in Hollywood, FL. They played three more concerts before the plane crash. I was a big fan already and my friends and I were pumped to see them live. They opened with a song from this album, might have been " What's Your Name ". I remember the crowd looking at each other going wtf because nobody had heard it yet. Didn't take long before everyone was into it and the crowd went wild. Soooooo many great Skynyrd songs and That Smell is one of my all time favorites.
This is one of my top 3 Skynyrd songs! It’s an anti substance abuse song , reactors often miss that. The smell is death “the smell of death surrounds you”. Ronnie Van Zant was inspired to write the song when guitarist Gary Rossington was in a car accident, due to his alcoholism and substance abuse. “Whiskey bottles, brand new car, oak tree you’re in my way” (Rossington crashed his car into an oak tree) “Can’t speak a word when you’re full of ludes” (Rossington had developed an addiction to Quualudes)
Now we're talking! This is my favorite song on this album. "You fool you!"
This is my favorite song from Skynyrd, btw this is an anti drug song
Most people know Smell that smell…. That’s not all they say
They just go balls to the wall, every time. I can't even think of a mediocre song by them. They have great songs and better than great songs 😅. They're so amazing. 😮❤😮❤😮I love them.
Skynard is a deep well, even though there's limited tunes from them.
It's Skynyrd. But I agree with you.
@@judysmith6563 there's only so much to draw off the original skynard. Not every tune is airplay, just deep cuts. That smell is a strong low 1/high2 tune!
That's Steve Gaines on the guitar at 1:55 and 4:40. Tragic loss when he died in the plane crash, along with his sister, Cassie.
There are a lot of great songs (especially in Rock) that speak honestly on addiction and it's realities, some are the warnings against it and others are just flat out telling it the way it is, and I think it's pretty safe to say these artists know what they're talking about. It's a really sensitive and very serious subject that should probably be talked about more. Another song by Lynyrd Skynyrd is "The Needle & the Spoon" I've seen Neil Young's "Needle and the Damage Done" already mentioned, but there are many others. "Junkie" by Ozzy also comes to mind.
Personally I have not seen a reaction to this song, where the reactor realizes he's saying "the smell of DEATH surrounds you" the ppl I've seen react all think he's say "this" which I can understand it does kind of sound that way. I know this song means something so much deeper to those that have experienced the meaning of the song for themselves. This song actually makes me tear up, especially when it gets to the verse that slows down. I'm an addict, in recovery, but it's always there & u have to fight it. For so long this was my reality. Starting really young I started losing friends to addiction. Decades later, and ALMOST every single friend or close acquaintance I had back then has been taken by ODs or drug related incidents like car accidents, most were due to the needle, honestly it's not Earthly possible that I'm still here, I know I've had a lot of help from above, my mom and grandma was always praying , but It's not just the substances but the lifestyle that goes with it, it's very fast and dangerous if you're not always aware of ppl and surroundings and having you're guard up & a lot of common sense and street smarts which if you don't already know you'll learn QUICKLY! The town I live in is really small and a lot of ppl are considered poverty stricken, it has one of, if not the highest fatality rate from over dose and it keeps growing . At one time the lyrics in this song "the smell of death around you" hit like a punch in the face, it still hits hard everytime I hear it, but back at that time I'm referring to in my life everyone I knew, knew it was a gamble and a part of it all and the risks that goes with it. There is so much that comes with addiction tho and not what most non addicted ppl think or not only what they see, I realize it's impossible to know what something really is and feels like when they've never felt or experienced it and so I don't blame them, but I've seen comments and heard ppl that were so mean and cruel when speaking of an addict, every personality is different, not everyone is exactly the same, but one thing for all addicts is that it is horrible, it makes you physically sick beyond belief when ur without it & it messes with your mental state of being, it eventually takes your looks, health, mind, possessions, friends, family, job, EVERYTHING before it takes your literal life, and it also makes and keeps you it's slave, you can forget about dreams and life goals when your in active addiction, but no matter how a person wants to it's not so simple or easy to just quit or walk away from, there's even risk in death from certain withdrawals, there's such sickness with withdrawals that I'd go into panic attacks just thinking about not being able to find more later, and honestly the sickness from withdrawals cause a lot of ppl to commit crimes from complete despair and desperation just to get another fix to stop it, bc this physical sickness can be severe and last what seems like forever, then there's the mental mess ups, anxiety, depression, etc u have at the same time (I wanna insert here that I'm not implying that an addict should get a pass or is any way in the right if they commit any crimes, such as stealing, conning, violence or any other, I'm just stating that its a major cause and it's not just for the "high" in it, eventually it becomes necessary to function and maintain and desperation from not having it bc of the withdrawal effects is the reason why with addicts) I'm speaking on all drugs, not just a specific type, addiction is addiction including alcohol. I'm actually tearing up writing this bc of how emotional it makes me thinking of everything and the ppl I've lost a long the years. This song is the greatest at being honest about the effects and lifestyle of addiction. I always felt it also did great at portraying the fight inside one's self that struggles with substance abuse with the music alone, the ups and downs of it, the fast, faster, fastest, then the slowed and the abrupt finish at the end, whether it's meant that way or not, it's just the rollercoaster of the pace of the music, fast then slowed, & also the flood of emotions it evokes, it makes u feel bad ass and invincible in parts, then when it slows and speaks of the reality of death and your life it fills you with regret, sorrow, & just feeling foolish, just like he says "you're just a fool"
Ps I'm sorry I just went on a rant, I got lost in my own thoughts and I guess this was also me venting. Thanks to anyone that read this entire comment altho I detoured off the subject of music. It's just a topic I understand and am compassionate & passionate about in warning others about addiction and the effects and consequences & also music is the one thing I'm most passionate about, so when they combine I'm an emotional wreck sometimes bc it causes me to reflect, and I have a lot of thoughts to say.
Have A Happy Day! ☮️❤️🎶😊
This album was released just shortly before the plane crash killed band members of which Ronnie VanZant (lead singer) died....Not long after that terrible crash the Album cover with the fire on it's cover was changed with the fire out of it...another ironic note is the name of the Album which is survivors...There were three VanZant brothers...Ronnie (Lynerd Skynerd), Donnie who played with the band "38 Special" and Johnny who over lead vocals in Lynard Skynard after Ronnie died in the plane crash...Love you guys...your my fav reactors...
He actually wrote it as a song for his guitar player, who he knew was hitting everything toooo hard
The first few lines of of the song was written about their guitar player Gary Rossington. "Whiskey bottles, and brand new cars
Oak tree you're in my way" as Gary was drunk and high when drove off the road, and he hit a oak tree with his car. Ronny got fed up with the drugs in the band and told them stop or they were out.
This was the last tour with all the original band as in October of 1977 their plane went down. Killing Ronny, Steve, And Cassy from the band.
Street survivors an iconic album. Skynyrd is so good.
Donnie Van Zant, the middle brother was a singer for another Jacksonville, FL band....38 Special 😎
This song makes me emotional. Ronnie was such a master in writing lyrics, and he knew he was going to die young, before age 30 as he told his dad. This was almost a prophecy of his death along with the 5 others including Steve and Cassie, due to how Skynyrd lived their lives. This album being released 3 days before the plane crash, is beyond eerie. Ronnie knew.
Also, I know they were brothers, but to mention Ronnie and Johnny in the same breath is doing such a disservice to the real Lynyrd Skynyrd. The real Lynyrd Skynyrd died with the plane crash. I don't think they should have continued with the same name
I agree. I understand they want to continue the legacy or did. I think they should have done it under a different name and just played the songs live. There new albums in my opinion are a disgrace to the name. They just aren't good AT ALL
@@davidoistrash I would just think his brother would have more respect for Ronnie, but when money gets involved, that often is disregarded
I agree with your opinion 100%..I saw them right after the crash as rossington/Collins, even they didn't continue with the name, n freebird then was done as an instrumental, no vocals..they're pretty much a cover band now
In my opinion, Skynyrd has the best guitar songs to ever exist. Might not be the best GUITARISTS per se, but as far as solo’s that perfectly fit within a songs structure, nobody does it better!
Great reaction to a great song!!
Of course I saw Lynyrd Skynyrd play That Smell live in Anaheim. It was actually a new song on the upcoming album.. They play That Smell and What’s your Name and they might’ve played more but I don’t remember the Street Survivors is a great album. Love you guys keep up the great work!
Have listened to their live album. " One More from the Road" .You'll love it. All great songs !!! Just spin it no need to react to it unless you want too. You two Rock !!! Love your videos.
Yea Workin for MCA is awesome and then there is my favourite T for Texas. Watch the video from Knebworth. Outstanding!
Hell yes! Love traveling man, and heading home from that set! Not to mention their blistering cover of creams crossroads ( Eric himself, upon hearing it said " now why didn't I do it like that?" About Allen's solo) and Jimmie Roger's gimme a t for texas.
One of the best live albums of all time hands down.
Every guitar player, including myself, have tried to play that opening riff like Gary does. Gary is playing a Gibson Les Paul, probably thru a Peavey 'tube' amp. So you can have the right gear, but getting that harmonic to sustain on the verge of feedback is sheer wizardry! Remember they didnt have all the digital effects and processing that we have now. They had to know how to play FOR REAL and be spectacular at it. The guitar solo in this is cool because you can very definitely hear 2 different guitars. The first guitar is Steve Gaines playing a Fender Stratocaster w/ single coil pickups. Its a thinner, kinda woody and twangy sound. Then in comes Alan Collins on a Gibson Explorer with humbucker pickups. Humbuckers are 2 single coil pickups wound together (sometimes there is a metal cover over them, sometimes not). Its a more full and powerful sound. Take a close listen to this song, maybe do it twice. The guitar parts are pretty complex. Skynyrd Forever!!
Try their song "Tuesdays Gone" It has a very good piano solo.
In my former line of work, I saw thousands of people who had ruined their lives and the lives of others because of drugs. This song is very powerful in describing the smell of death that surrounds those who have taken that life too far.
Many Generations love Skynard. Half Rock country . One of my favorite is Simple Man. There is Mr. Saturday night special. Tuesday Gone.
This song is about Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington, who bought a new car (a Ford Torino), got drunk, and crashed it into a tree, then a house ("whiskey bottles, brand new car, oak tree you're in my way"). The band was supposed to start a tour in a few days, but had to postpone it because of Rossington's injuries.The band fined Rossington $5000 for holding up the tour. Skynyrd made an effort to stay sober on this tour. Drugs and alcohol were banned from the dressing rooms.3 days after the release of this song was the ill fated crash.
Ronnie was one of the great songwriters of his time. Such a great tune.
It's insane that the frontman wrote it as a warning to his bandmate to not lose himself to drugs or he'd die, and in a few days after the album's release, the frontman, and several others were killed in the plane crash.
J & Amber, listen to "Sweet Home Alabama" next, its iconic!!!!
edit - the alcohol/drugs lead guitarist Gary Rossington to crash his car into an oak tree in Jacksonville, Florida.
There’s Ronnie, Johnny, and Donnie Van Zant. What a lot of people don’t know is that Donnie (the brother that didn’t cover Ronnie when he died) made his own band .38 special, which is also a successful band. Their earlier songs have that southern rock sound to it too. They sang well into the 80’s too.
This song was actually written about guitarist Gary Rossington after he was in a bad car crash down in Florida. He was under the influence of quaaludes at the time and fell asleep at the wheel. Ronnie Van Zandt’s attempt to make him see he was developing a serious problem.
Gary Rossington
@@ericelander9936 thanks, man, of course. 🙂
@@littleogeechee223 no problem my man. Skynyrd forever.
This album titled Street survivors was a limited edition with this cover picture where the band standing in flames, it was released 3 days before their October 20th plane crash and the record label pulled the album and change the cover because they thought it could be construed as unrespectable.
My Dad has/had the original album cover before they pulled it. He passed it down to me; Dad loved Skynyrd.
This song and “Gimme Back My Bullets” are probably the songs that most show the blues influence in their music.
This song & their song "The Needle & The Spoon" are very straight to the point. Both are about the dangers of drug abuse. He says in the song "ooh,I've been there." So he makes it gritty from experience.
I didn't want to dig through your archives to see if you've done them before but if not you've absolutely got to check out the Outlaws especially their song Green Grass and High Tides forever and another song called hurry sundown they've done a cover of Ghost Riders in the Sky as well there is some excellent live footage of these songs too
There’s not a lot of the original albums that have the flames on them. Gaines and Van Zandt both died in the plane crash three days after the release of this album street survivors. They stopped in production and switched it to a picture of the band with a black background only on all the rest of the albums..
OMG, you mentioned Free bird, and something dawned on me, so I went and checked ... and sure 'nuff, you listened to the studio version ... something I usually appreciate but, you absolutely NEED to listen to the live 1977 version from the Oakland Coliseum (th-cam.com/video/QxIWDmmqZzY/w-d-xo.html ) !!! Your lives won't be complete without seeing it. You know the song, so you will see and feel the build up when it comes, and I KNOW you will be impressed.
In my humble opinion, the best live version of Free Bird was on the "One More From the Road" album, recorded at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. The guitar solos at the end will melt your face off.
I sold this album for about a week before the plane crash. The LP was pulled and rereleased about a month later with a new album cover.
Great album.
Yall really need more skynyrd try the needle and the spoon. And it's "the smell of death is around you"
Ronnie is lecturing the band & his friends. Glorious stuff.
Man, what a decade of music that the 1970s were! I hear the music, close my eyes and I am there!
They were Southern Rock Icons and in my opinion, the best in their class! Sweet Home Alabama
Great song & band! One of my fave songs by them. This song is on the '77 Street Survivors LP & the original album cover showed the band enveloped in flames. The plane crash was 3 days after the release of the album & out of respect for the deceased, MCA Records withdrew the original cover & replaced it with a similar image of the band against a black background, which was on the back cover of the original sleeve. Add to that the lyrics; "...But tomorrow might not be here for you... The smell of death surrounds you..." Just crazy, & the band had really been on a roll accomplishing so much in just over 4 1/2 years. They were an amazingly incredible & very talented band!
You just can't beat the Skynyrd three guitar attack! Great reaction as always! Peace.
This song is specifically about Gary Rossington’s car crash and other incidents, a guitarist in the band, who ironically survived the plane crash and tours with the band to this day.
Great song and great band. Thanks for the video. You two are fun to watch.
'Bout time y'all did "That Smell", Guys! My fav Skynyrd song!
There is a Donnie Van Zandt too. He was in 38 Special.
The Smell of DEATHS' around you (surrounds you)
Ronnie wrote this in reference to guitarist Gary Rossington's car crash where he collided with an oak tree while messed up on just about every drug known to man ..
These were the times, I am a survivor,many did not, sex,drugs and rocknroll that was it,grateful to have survived,many did not, RIP my fellow rockers...........................
When the plane crash took place Skynyrd was at the height of their career. That plane crash for many Rock fans like myself was the worst day in Rock history. This album was their new record. It was also their best record track for track. After Allen and Gary began to recover they start trying to figure out how they would carry on. They didn't want to go out on the road as Lynyrd Skynyrd. They felt that it would be disrespectful to the memory of Ronnie Van Zant, Steve and Cassie Gains who had passed in the plane crash. So they formed a new band called the Rossington Collins Band. They cut a record with Dale Krantz (later to be Dale Krantz Rossington) as the lead vocalist. May I suggest that as a tribute to Gary who just passed that you react to "Don't Misunderstand Me". That album had a couple of other great songs but I'm giving you the big one first. Then if you want you can go on to "Opportunity", "Getaway" and "Sometimes you can put it out". Thanks.
Two of my favorite lines: “Just one more fix, Lord might do the trick. One hell of a price for you to get your kicks.” and “You say you’ll be alright come tomorrow, but tomorrow might not be here for you.”
What a great song! I think when we were young many didn’t understand the meaning of this song. This will never get old and lyrically it’s a real lesson.
The guitar work in this song is superior playing. Just fantastic
Right behind Freebird as my favorite Skynyrd tune. Written about Gary Rossington. Must be something to play a song every night that addresses your past problems.
Been rocking this song for almost 50 years..enjoy! especially the double lead guitars near the end.
Lynyrd Skynyrd a band best seen live and their legacy still lives on.
They are an awesome band i've seen them in çòncert several times.I feel blessed to have gotten that opportunity.
I ’m a child of the 80’s. These older songs hits differently now after some life experiences. Thanks
In my opinion one of the very best southern rock bands ever. Grew up with them in high school. Sweet Hold Alabama and Free Bird.
Billy Powell, was actually their booker, he was a “Concert Pianist “ which they did not know, sum of th band members went out 4 lunch, when they came back, Billy, was doing that thang on th piano for Freebird, and History was made