Lynyrd Skynyrd didn’t invent Southern rock, but they were responsible for the rebellious, renegade style that most would associate with the genre. Confident players and down-to-earth people, Lynyrd Skynyrd was a dangerous band and one of the best groups that ever was.
The story of the original band ended in tremendous tragedy. But luckily, the musicians had raised their own statue. It deserves to be saluted.
Here are the 10 best songs by a Southern rock band loved in the U.S. as much as abroad, Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The Greatest 10 Songs by Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Gimme Three Steps”
Lynyrd Skynyrd was the Southern rock band that could’ve closed up the bar and continued playing songs to fans in the alleyway. Bands like The Allman Brother Band or ZZ Top may have been more professional.
But Skynyrd and singer Ronnie van Zant seemed dangerous. “Gimme Three Steps” is about getting in trouble over a flirt and doing it in the worst of places for a fight – Southern U.S.A.
“Gimme Back My Bullets”
It’s hard to imagine that Lynyrd Skynyrd ever struggled. But by 1976, the group was reminiscing about about having a hit. “Gimme Back My Bullets” was a plea for that, as well as a war song of sorts.
The group’s 1976 version of itself indeed possesses less energy. But when most confident, Lynyrd Skynyrd works best. And this is how the group is on “Gimme Back My Bullets.”
“Tuesday’s Gone”
Lynyrd Skynyrd was far from a one-trick pony when the group recorded its classic debut, “Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd.” Sure, there were rockers and country numbers.
But “Tuesday’s Gone” was a melancholy ballad and a beautiful one at that. It showed the group had more to it than just bar fight tunes. And it showed Van Zant could sing it all.
“The Ballad of Curtis Loew”
There’s a vision that some have of the members of Lynyrd Skynyrd as lowdown, loud-mouthed and egotistical. But “The Ballad of Curtis Loew” might just be proof of the contrary.
In this song, from the sophomore record “Second Helping,” the band provides a touching tribute to the great blues players of old. Skynyrd’s eventual success was theirs as well, and the seven-piece group was ready to admit it.
“Saturday Night Special”
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s songs usually happen late at night and in dangerous places. Van Zant’s lyrics read like Southern-flavored detective novels.
“Saturday Night Special” is a mighty rock song. It’s a mighty memorable tune. And it’s a rare, surprising anti-gun manifesto. Van Zant’ll tell you that “It ain’t good for nothin’ but puttin’ men six feet in a hole.”
“Call Me the Breeze”
The fact of the matter is that few bands could compete with a high-flying, live-playing Lynyrd Skynyrd. There are still myths about the band blowing off stage the mighty Rolling Stones.
The band takes on a J.J. Cale song and reworks “Call Me the Breeze” with a natural enthusiasm that nearly helps them claim it as their own. Cale’s philosophy seems to be that of the Skynyrd boys as well. I think that it’s a great recording!
“Simple Man”
Early on, rock power ballads came easily to Lynyrd Skynyrd. After all, those helped showcase the band’s abilities even better than the fast numbers.
“Simple Man” has endured through the years, however, because of the message as well. It’s timeless. Be a good man and be able to sleep with a clear conscience! Ain’t that the truth?
“That Smell”
Great groups of the 1970s seemed destined to fall prey to the pitfalls of rock stardom. Those clung to the hard-partying, fast-living Lynyrd Skynyrd musicians from early on.
By 1977, drug problems were causing band division, too. It helped create the morbid but powerful “That Smell,” along with the “Street Survivors” album.
Sadly, It proved to be the final album by the band’s original lineup. A tragic aeroplane accident robbed the world of more of the band’s music. But the final recordings are a worthy sendoff.
“Free Bird”
“Play Free Bird,” the crowd yells. But nobody laughs. Everyone’s heard the joke a million times.
But the real joke is that “Free Bird” is awesome, the guitar solos especially. It became a standard quickly after its release because high-school dances required bands to play it.
Still, if you want to understand the full strength of Lynyrd Skynyrd, you need to treat yourself to an extended live rendition of the song where Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, and Steve Gaines take the sound higher than anyone ever dared.
“Sweet Home Alabama”
“Sweet Home Alabama” is one of the undeniable classics of rock music. The riff, the groove and the dig at Neil Young are all iconic. Someone is playing the song in a bar as we speak.
But “Sweet Home Alabama” isn’t just a song about being proud of one’s roots. It’s also Lynyrd Skynyrd at its finest, and learning to take rock, country and blues elements and turn them into a sound very much of its own. You’ve heard it a million times, but you’ll start clapping the moment you hear that guitar riff!
