First time listening to "Free Bird" beginning to end! Reaction and Vocal Review feat. Lynyrd Skynyrd

[@MZ-ci3cy]

The bass in this song is incredible. It doesn't get the recognition that it deserves.

[@lexster2112]

100%

[@detectivedewitt9536]

Keeping everything held in place and organized whilst chaos hits everywhere at all times from every direction is certainly some sort of sorcery to be honest

[@jimmacclay7015]

Leon was phenomenal

[@bambino100011]

Most don’t give props to bass or drums :)

[@phildlz]

Bob Burns drums too...amazing

[@tonygallo983]

The live version at Oakland coliseum guitar "duel" is even more epic and a piano solo in the middle... worth a watch, even worth a second reaction...

[@lauramacky4083]

Day on the green 👍

[@andybside]

I know. I'm so surprised she didn't react to that one. Oh well. Still my favorite reactor ❤

[@radimradyys4620]

Knebworth is better kzbin.info/www/bejne/omWzq6h9asqrr68 Even with the story with the Rolling Stones

[@sissydreams7494]

Definitely watch that particular LIVE version!!!

[@andrewhall7853]

Definitely the Oakland performance is a must watch and worth a seperate review

[@SFGiantsFan2482]

Free Bird isn't a song, it's an experience.

[@McHairylegs]

well said

[@Mrdoplin6446]

No. Its free bird

[@fhare666]

Allen Collins was a bad bad man on guitar. Led a tragic life, but blazed a star across the sky while alive, like a free bird. RIP Mr. Collins.

[@vangreen9098]

@MusicmanrobertAllen didn’t die in the plane crash, it was Steve, Cassie, and Ronnie

[@rifki9055]

RIP 🙏 Ronnie, Casey, Steve, Gary to many gone😢

[@Shawn-mo6dh]

This song stays in your head for days after you listen to it

[@jeffmorris6105]

@Musicmanrobert not allen

[@Jamesd1861]

Allen also played the acoustic guitar that you hear throughout the song, he was Lean,Mean,Shredding Machine 🎸 also his girlfriend at the time asked him that question (if I leave here tomorrow would you remember me) they later married

[@howardyoung9987]

Greetings from Scotland. Wonderful song. Back un the day saw them live 5 times. A great night out and still much missed.

[@allengray5748]

Holy Smokes!! A Scot who's seen them 5 times and I only seen them once in 2019. Though I was only 10 years old when this album came out!! I'm Jealous!! ☮️

[@PaulBlalock-vd6pj]

The sounds of my generation. You'll never grow old if you Rock & Roll.

[@markmontgomery5418]

This band said so much in such a short period of time. 74-77 what a catalog. Thanks for this one.

[@tonys1203]

"Free Bird" and "Stairway To Heaven" go hand in hand as two of the greatest rock songs of all time in my book. Amazing...

[@WhizzingFish12]

They were always the last songs played at my middle school dances. :-)

[@FUBAR_87]

Add comfortably numb pulse version to the list

[@davidlincoln78240]

Exactly, Tony!

[@radman5]

@@FUBAR_87 Has to be live! Not that boring as batshit version on the LP

[@macktlo9]

Would you guys add Sultans of Swing Alchemy? Cause to me its top 3 live performances all time for me.

[@Stephen_M.]

I remember hearing this song for the first time, as a Frisbee throwing teenager, back in the 70's and thinking , this song has a ton of false endings and a never ending crescendo! It leaves you feeling exhilarated!

[@skevich1]

Same here. We had the radio on at work and when this came on we all stopped. when it was over, we all said, "Holy ...., what was that?"

[@DouglasCrossen]

I have NEVER seen a first-time listener enjoy this masterpiece so much. Thank you so much. That was amazing.

[@ItsMe-wm4mc]

Did you win a free guitar too? Lol

[@notablindliberal896]

Agreed

[@carlosd9781]

I felt SO relieved when you called out the bass on the solo!!😭 18:34

[@dust4magnet]

I've listened to this song for 50+ years, and I've never fully comprehended the complexity of the interplay of instruments. That makes it so awesome. As you can imagine, the live versions are insanely extended with glorious guitar dueling. The genius of this makes the subsequent tragedies to various members so sad.

[@bendavidson7122]

3 GUITAR ASSAULT IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@luxyAAA]

Oakland live version 1977 is an amazing performance - TRULY A MUST SEE!!

[@freddyfleal]

I would say the '76 version, since all the Oakland clips in youtube have a cut in the solo

[@silgen]

@@freddyfleal Yes Knebworth 76 is the way to go.

[@verrilli]

Seeing it live helps to understand what's going on with the instruments. 3 Guitars plus one bass guitar.

[@JulieConkle]

Yes, please, that is really the ONLY way to do this song. Oakland.

[@caperboy1169]

Knebworth put it to shame

[@ryanjordan1283]

This band wrote so many iconic songs in the few short years before the plane crash that took so many important members. Absolutely one of the best to ever do it.

[@johnkendall6558]

you're gonna get this a lot - Live Oakland 1977

[@AviatorLuber]

Ronnie Van Zant’s vocals really nail the emotion/feelings of the amazing lyrics! It was so fun watching you pick up on the details of both the vocals and what is going on with the instruments. There are so many musical elements doing their own amazing things and you did a great job pointing them out. As others have said, the Live Oakland ’77 version is a must watch and it would be fun to see your reaction to it as well! It’s very cool to watch the crowd anticipate and react to the tempo change that you noted during this reaction. Also, the whole instrumental section is just awesome to watch! This was a fun reaction…I really enjoyed it!

[@frankswarbrick7562]

I'm 55, and I never tire of hearing this song.

[@LarryLewis-nz1oy]

Free Bird at Oakland 1977 is one of the greatest rock performances of all time in my opinion.

[@mikeconway9849]

Great reaction, Bethany! Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Outlaws and The Marshall Tucker Band are my three favorite southern rock groups.

[@SmokeyTreats]

I would add Allman Brothers.

[@rhenmerchant5715]

don't forget Molly Hatchet

[@WhizzingFish12]

I've always seen the Big 3 (Skynyrd, Allmans, and Tucker) as representing different versions of Southern rock. Skynyrd was the rock/blues version, the Allmans were a more jazz + blues version, and Marshall Tucker a country version. They were all great in their own way.

[@57hound]

@@WhizzingFish12great observation!

[@phuckyu-12]

​@WhiyeahzzingFish12 yeah, but don't forget, Skynyrd was the best of them all! 😊

[@ike555je]

Thanks for sharing your enjoyment of this great piece of art.

[@alexharbison4411]

Nice reaction, this is one of those that needs to be live, Oakland 1977 is a good one. Allen wrote this one when he was 17. How many people were playing guitar like this in the late 1960's? There were not many Clapton, Page, Beck, Hendrix, Duane........ Allen was one of the GOATS.

[@tomsa123456]

A song that proposes "I can't change" for several minutes then lays down many more minutes of change after that huge tempo change. Love your show!

[@quentenjones3626]

Just some good ol' boys having a good ol' time making good ol' music. Whether you see it performed at a show, or better yet, a rehearsal, you just came away with a joy of how amazing music can be.

[@deputyduffy]

Oh man, I'm with the gang... You have to hear this LIVE just once in your life, like maybe Oakland 1977

[@cotadog4472]

When you close your eyes and sway back and forth, you experience what we all have 1,000's of times. You don't just listen to Freebird, you FEEL it 💖

[@thebuzzman13]

Allen Collins not only played the guitar solo, he composed every note of it.

[@freebirdtony]

...and at a young age of 18.

[@andychisarick6879]

And it took him more than a year. Over & over, till every last note was right where it had to be...

[@Eric_L_Laney]

I was in high school when this song came out. This song came on the radio very frequently for a long time period.

[@ghostharmon108]

Truly an American anthem! Countless helicopter flights over the Middle East listening to this! Love that you love it!!!!

[@Fletcher-Boy]

I was born in 1958..growing up in this era was the greatest! Bethany you really need a Time Machine, seeing all the great bands live

[@huberthicks9080]

Love your channel and your voice. You have reviewed many of my all time favourites. As a 70+ year old, I remember a lot of these when they first were released. Keep up the great work!

[@docj72]

There is a longer version of this song (maybe another minute or two) that gets cut off by the fade-out of this version. It’s found on their Greatest Hits album, and I’ve always thought it’s a more satisfying completion of the song.

[@Arkryal]

The message of the song is meant to be bitter-sweet, which is a difficult emotion to capture in music, but the guitars nail it perfectly. It's rare to hear a song that could give you that feeling even with the lyrics stripped away, but you'd pick that up from a purely instrumental version as well. Even setting aside the outstanding performance, they're playing the song-writing game on extra hard mode, and absolutely killing it, lol.

[@SpaceCattttt]

Bittersweet? I've always heard it as if the guy just can't wait to get the hell out of her life and fly FREE! But he's a gentleman about it. Sort of...

[@TheRiconegro]

The end of Free Bird. the dueling guitars are almost butting heads with each other, and it just intensifies into such an uplifting chaos that resolves in the end with both of them together going in the same direction!

[@georgeprice4212]

A little secret: The solo is ALL Allen Collins! Gary’s strictly Rhythm and Slide on this.

[@alancochrane1289]

Such an incredible weaving of three guitars, bass, piano and drums. They are all going their own way but in the same direction.. that's what makes this song special

[@agb1953]

Came out about a year before I went into the Army. That was the greatest time to be growing up, and I thank God that is the era I grew up in. Music was so important to everything going on. I also want to thank you for making it possible for me to get so much more out of listening to music than before I started watching your videos.

[@seattanf2348]

As others have mentioned the live version is a must. Whether you do it as a reaction video or for your own enjoyment do yourself a favor and check out the live 1977 version of this song. Which was already linked by someone else. Several members of the band including the lead singer were killed in a plane crash just a few months after that live version was filmed.

[@2715bunky]

Every single rock concert that I attended in the last century, had the crowd screaming "Freebird!" Even if the bands/groups did not have it in their repertoire. BTW, I love you pretty lady!,❤

[@gesundheit602]

I think because Ronnie wrote all the lyrics to these songs, they really come across to the listener as sincere and heartfelt. He really was a wonderful lyricist. And when you hear these songs , you don't ever think of his vocals as "lacking" in any way. They just seem to perfectly compliment the words and music. Nothing fancy...just great tone and great diction, unique to him and just right! 🙂

[@alienlifeform7490]

I never thought of the two guitars as the two lovers in opposition, before. It changed how I thought of the song, on a totally different level. The parting of two can be a very traumatic thing and the solo so encapsulated how this breakup would be. Thank you for your insights, my dear. Much respect. 🎶🧚‍♀🎶 Oh, and you move your shoulders very nicely to the music. : )

[@SeanCleverly]

One of my all time favorites, absolutely love this. Great reaction, as always, with the loveliest of all vocalysts!

[@ryanweintraub9448]

11:47 I watched a lot of reactions to Free Bird. No matter what the person's personality is like, where they come from, what music they usually listen to, one thing is constant. The smile that slowly grows on their face when the solo is coming

[@juergenf.2306]

well said 👍

[@bryanjohnson6705]

Lynyrd Skynyrd is such an amazing band, even though they had a tragic history. That makes them that much more special. I think you should critique all their songs. Simple Man, That Smell, Gimme Three Steps, Saturday Night Special, The Ballad of Curtis Lowe, and many more

[@JEmmertz]

It is just awesome! Roof open, this tune on high volume, and lead foot on the pedal on the highway... = Ultimate bliss! It is like a 9 layered cake with unique and interesting fillings in each and every layer. I find new stuff in this on each hearing.

[@karengray662]

Great to see a reaction to this centred on the voice & his great expression, thanks

[@PaulGuy]

Yep, that's the bass working its way up the scale. It raises the tension by raising the "floor" while the drums and piano keep the galloping going and the guitars keep climbing, until the last note of the whole thing, when all the instruments come together at the same time and everything explodes back into the main riff and solo.

[@wesbaumguardner8829]

Yep, Freebird is a masterpiece. Every instrument is performing its part to perfection while not drowning out the others, all while working in concert to deliver a phenomenal sound that is timeless. Rock music just does not get better than this.

[@darikmatters8866]

The reason this song is a rock anthem is because they had a killer live version and it was their encore, and it lasted for 10 to 15 minutes (got to love great southern rock!).. For 20 to 30 years every band had to endure crowds calling for "Free-Bird" while waiting for any band to come back out for their encore. Some bands really hated it.. BTW, its really hard to keep track of the separate parts because its 3 lead guitars and a piano all potted up. ...

[@lucasbezerracardoso4662]

I can easily say that this song has one of the best guitar solo of all time

[@allengray5748]

Ok scanned SOME of the comments and didn't see mentioned that I believe the piano player Billy Powell was discovered during the making of this album. He was the roadie and no one knew he was a classically trained pianist until everyone was taking a break at Muscle Shoals studio and he started playing and dropped some jaws!!! Great Channel Bethany!! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎

[@richwilliams7787]

This song is still blazing across the universe

[@sjuhawks1973]

I always joke that the lead guitarist is still playing the solo, it never finishes.

[@phuckyu-12]

Some say it's still playing, in some galaxy far far away...

[@wileel]

Free Bird is one of the best jam secession's with a few awesome lyrics tossed in

[@montanausa329]

The guitar jam is history 😊

[@randyjohnson6845]

There was nothing like this song and overall sound back in the mid 70s...I look at this like a 200 year song...they will be listening to this 200 years from now..very rare

[@davidlincoln78240]

There's a reason that this song and Stairway to Heaven were #1 and #2 as most listened to for years in the 70's and 80's!

[@richwilliams7787]

And i love that this guitar duel is travelling across the expanse of space for all time

[@kenni4892]

I'm surprised you chose this version. The live version from Oakland would give you a visual overload as well. Watching Allen Collins play this song is something special.

[@davidcox6457]

You should see the live 1976 version of this. Not just great musicianship but the joy they get from playing it. It’s an epic performance.

[@donaldbrunner6250]

Now that you've heard the studio version you need to check out the last time the original band performed it live in Oakland Ca. its the last song of the concert. The guitar solo grabs you so much more.

[@stevenewsome9185]

This song will always remind me of my friend Aaron Ferguson who was killed in a car accident over 20 years ago. He was in his early 20's, he lived his live free as a bird and now he's free from all of the demons that he fought to overcome. R.I.P. my brother.

[@welshboyonabike]

One of the best songs ever

[@tobyhayes611]

One of the greatest rock songs of all times!

[@thomaspittock4018]

Im a 67 year old male in Fl and spent this era of my Life absorbing all the sounds of the 70s and this was our number one party song and we all played jammin air guitar.

[@rudigerschrodel7911]

When I heard this song for the very first time I talked to myself: "Oh my God, what!! - was!! - this!!-??" And yes, often forgotten to appreciate: the bass and the whole rhythm section. Great choise, thank you.

[@darrinleazer6784]

Now' you know what it's like to listen to one of the greatest solos ever. Allen Collins once played it 30 times in the recording studio, because he didn't think it was perfect enough.

[@sheltonedwards9960]

You missed out on the piano solo. Well worth the listen. An amazing concert with tons of people. One of the best 👍.

[@joshpeterson7241]

This one needs to be revisited in a live version. The studio verson is great, but the live versions are considered to be better than the studio version.

[@caperboy1169]

Agreed, the piano was much better than the organ IMO

[@Pocketkid2]

Naw man, there are no songs that are better live, unless you think the vocals carry the song

[@caperboy1169]

@@Pocketkid2 I have to disagree. Freebird live is so much better

[@lisayoung5957]

Great reaction! Just know when you watch the live versions, either Oakland or Knebworth or both, Ronnie had developed nodes and FreeBird is the last song.❤

[@KoaWilson]

You owe it to yourself to check out the live versions of Freebird even if not for a reaction but just for your own exposure to southern rock. In particular, the Oakland Coliseum 1977 and Knebworth 1976 versions. Also, the Knebworth versions of T for Texas and Call Me the Breeze are some of the best southern rock, or any kind of live performance, that you will ever see.

[@Wolf6151]

You really should see the live version in Oakland Coliseum in 1977.....Outstanding performance.

[@robertgoslin511]

You have to watch free bird in Oakland California! Absolutely a must no bs!!!

[@Robbob9933]

She got the Freebird sway going.

[@andychisarick6879]

Funny you put it that way- the Free Bird sway. Reminds me of a girl who commented on one reaction video that the first half of the song is all foreplay, the rest- the jamming- a six minute orgasm. Wish I'd have said it, but can't take credit. Besides, I never had a six minute orgasm. Even when I was young. They are a beautiful thing to witness, though, up close & personal...

[@ajgorney]

The end of this song was used in the movie Forest Gump where the female lead character is on a bad drug high and stands up on a rail of a balcony, maybe thinking dark thoughts, but ultimately falls back onto the balcony, if I recall.

[@John-re7mh]

Greatest American band of all time, and it's really not debatable.

[@allanboyer2769]

One of the top 3 bands of all time.

[@RobertCarriker-ov4tc]

You really need to see the live version.. it’s a wild version to see the best live version of any song. May all the original members rest in peace play it. Purdy fly high free birds fly high.

[@davearnew9535]

You are the first one that I've seen on here acknowledge Leon's bass playing the guy was very much under rated. You know the leader singer always love Paul Rodgers singing maybe you should do a reaction on some live Bad Company there's plenty on u tube Bad Company by Bad Company yea.

[@inkoinfinity2]

Bass players are almost always the most under appreciated members, unless their name is Les Claypool or Flea lol

[@jeremiahrose4681]

There was a reason why they were so great in the 70's.

[@PauloTiago-q4j]

The best slide guitar of all time

[@markwarren7157]

Best use of the song in a movie is the church scene in Kingsman: The Secret Service. There are three guitars that swap the lead throughout the song. The bass for this song is incredible and does not get enough credit.

[@kellymills1936]

Love Freebird. A treasure.

[@pcl360media]

Sorry if already mentioned (lot of comments!) but cool how you mentioned the "slide" of the vocal as it mirrors Gary's distinctive and haunting slide guitar. I kind of view this first part of the song as the melody flying back and forth from Ronnie's vocal (trying to stay tethered to the ground) to Gary's guitar, wanting to take flight. The melodies then merge to the crazy second half (no vocals, just the "singing" of the guitar strings).

[@ml802]

You must react to 1977 Oakland Live version! People don't realize they had 3 guitarist which is incredibly hard to sound and be tight together.

[@toomdog]

She said, "Oh golly, is that the bass I'm hearing?" Yes, madam, that is that bass. And it is marvelous. The guitar leads are three or four simple riffs, just fast.

[@mangus1610]

This song was written/developed in a shack about 20 miles from where I live called the Hell House. Its been one of my favorite songs since I was in middle school. Before cassettes and 8 track, we used to drive around town at night just hoping the radio would play it...when they finally did, we would pull over and jam at full volume. Good times.

[@Abernis]

Thank you for choosing the studio cut for this (very good) reaction of yours 👍

[@jimrentz]

The Live 1977 Oakland version of "Freebird" is one you absolutely have to listen to and watch as I think you get a better understanding of who this group was and how much the fans were absolutely bat stuff crazy about them and their music. Even if you don't want to do another reaction to this song, you should watch and listen to the 1977 Oakland version just for you own pleasure. Lynyrd Skynyrd was a live band first and then a studio band. Good job though young lady.

[@vangreen9098]

Yes sir Ronnie we still remember you…

[@ericcote7531]

Just to mention that Lynyrd Skynyrd had 3 guitar players !!!

[@frankswarbrick7562]

Only two on this song, and only one plays the (dual) solo (two different takes combined).

[@michaelculpepper6699]

Watching them play it live will also give you a different perspective on the song. Try the Oakland 1977 Live version. It's actually longer than the original version at around 14 minutes, but it's well worth the time.

[@SlitherWhisp]

This song is epic. Another great melancholy epic tune of theirs is Tuesday's Gone. They had so many amazing songs.

[@fanstream]

You are so right - "girl is one of the most horrifying words to sing" as is "love" --as you reference how one single syllable comprises so many sounds and possibilities - i've had no vocal training, but I did sing in some pubs and local bars for fun, and I'm learning a lot on your channel --- gracias, and keep on!

[@jessaw8160]

This song has cost me so much money because somehow, some way, every time i hear it im doing 93 mph down a dirt road in my '87 Pontiac Firebird, and the pheonix decal on the hood never fails to shed a tear, crush a beer, and then peel itself from the hood and take of into the sky in a fiery streak. Its the damndest thing.

[@vbxtc625]

The studio version is nice, but the 14+ minute live version from One From The Road is immortal. "What song is it you wanna hear? Freebiiird!!!".

[@StalkerZeroRocky]

The solo plays on "Kingsman" movie in a really good action scene

[@maryguba5649]

I heard them perform this live. Phenomenal! Definitely need to listen to it live.

[@bretttodd6470]

Oakland 77 is a must see as it's the original linger version with epic guitars. This version is the radio short. Ironically, their plane crashed just 4 months laterish so it's like he was saying goodbye with the lyrics.

[@thomasturner8064]

First for the first time! Scrolling through her vids when i saw this.

[@timlloyd1454]

You just did the cardinal sin of reactions by pausing one of the greatest guitars solos in history😱😱

[@oldschoolfink3212]

I've been listening to this song for almost 50 years. I still hear new things in it I never noticed before. If you want to hear Lynyrd Skynyrd show off their musicianship, you should hear I Never Dreamed from their final album Street Survivors.

[@TheTakbok]

Live forever,Rockn roll star(2008 brit awards,Slide away,Bring it on down,Songbird,Lyla,Some Might Say,Fade Away,Stay Young, Cast no Shadow,Morning Glory.Liam is da geezer

[@gospyro]

In jr high and high school this was always the last song played at dances. You spent most of the dance working up the courage to ask the girl you had your eye on to dance this dance. Starts out as a slow dance, and if you kept slow dancing even when everything cuts loose, you knew she liked you!!! Man… those teenage years!