Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama (REACTION)

[@spookytruth9307]

As the story goes, “Sweet Home Alabama” was originally intended as a response to Neil Young. Ronnie Van Zant, the lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, was a big fan of Young's music, but he was taken aback by Young's early 70's songs “Southern Man” and “Alabama,” which attacked the south for its backwards, racist past.

[@midnightrambler7716]

There’s a few pictures of Ronnie wearing Neil Young Tonight’s the Night T-shirts even after Sweet Home Alabama was released.

[@324cmac]

But Ronnie was trying to say that racism didn't define everyone in Alabama.

[@mattmoose1]

None of those bullshit stories are true.

[@johnoneil5554]

All true bro

[@johncampbell756]

​@@midnightrambler7716"Even after." This dong was 1974. Tonight's the Night was released in 1975.

[@robertklotz1843]

They DID have a problem with Governor Wallace, that's why they sing "boo-boo-boo"" after mentioning him. He was a staunch segregate.

[@neillenet291]

Exactly

[@grantmay9525]

🎸👍

[@DrBeckyEm]

Exactly. I was born and raised in Muscle Shoals and home of Swampers. Remember Wallace was governor. Wallace was a “big racist” as he shamed Alabama. We are very good people and most of us are not racist! Muscle Shoals Alabama was/is a beautiful place to grow up and live.

[@Kyle-nh1td]

I was born and raised in muscle shoals now live in Tennessee Alabama is a great place to live

[@jlb6]

John Lennon did an early dis song all about,Paul Mcartney -How Do You Sleep. George kills the slide solo. The song is similar to Ra day Newman’s rednecks. It relates to adherence to stereotypes and how you really should not judge people without looking in the mirror first.

[@brettsmith724]

Ballad Of Curtis Lowe!

[@jennhurl]

Best opening lyrics "Turn it up" 🔥

[@toddharris8441]

❤

[@Kegan420]

Neil Young put down the south and this was their way of saying a Canadian doesn’t need to talk about the southern history,also it was Skynyrd saying just cause you are from the south doesn’t mean you agree with everything the south was doing at the time.Lynyrd Skynyrd we’re fans of Neil Young.RVZ is wearing a Neil young shirt on the Street Survivor album and supposedly they were going to do a song together.Neil even covered one of there songs right after the plane crash

[@chopa2less]

Not sure Young being Canadian has anything to do with this. Canada had no part in Watergate.

[@RiverCityKid-lo3yf]

sheep@@chopa2less

[@cshubs]

You must check out the documentary movie Muscle Shoals. It's about the studios in northern Alabama where a ton of the best music of the 20th C. was made.

[@Poopship]

Such an awesome documentary

[@citizenghosttown]

I second that. Great film!

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

I'll give it a third. Motion carried, the resolution is passed.

[@tektoniks_architects]

I'm late to the party, but Muscle Shoals is a *must watch* documentary for music lovers.

[@ragjamrock]

A lot of music history in that documentary. Anyone who grew up in the 60s and 70s will recognize so many songs that came outta Muscle Shoals Alabama..👍🏽🎶

[@notablindliberal896]

"In Birmingham they love the governor boo boo boo" was George Wallace who was pro segregation. "Where the skies are blue and the governor too" Blue is the Democratic party, that's how I've always taken it. Thanks for the reaction.

[@loupi4bama]

Back in that time blue was the Republican party color and red was Democrat color. I think that changed in the 80s.

[@jeffmaltby6185]

@@loupi4bama Yes , earlier though, Reagan was Republican still in 80s

[@fulldraws]

no, some dems were "Blue Dog' Democrats... @@loupi4bama

[@brewstergallery]

I hate to say it but George Wallace was a DEMOCRAT. If you know about Malcolm X he said " A Democrat aint nuthin but a Dixiecrat ".@@loupi4bama

[@reddoxx4754]

The lyrics are "where the skies are so blue (and the governor's true)". The idea of blue Democratic states and red Republican states started with the 2000 election.

[@GoldTop57]

Pure guitar brilliance by Ed King

[@Mannymoe7]

Neil Young sang Southern Man when he put Down the south and this is a response to him

[@markeetafarmer541]

The day they recorded this Ronnie had showed up at the studio with a box of donuts. As soon as he walked in the engineers wanted him to listen to/approve a mix. So he put down the box of donuts and when he came back all the donuts where gone. If you listen to last line in song Ronnie says, "My donuts, G Dam"

[@williamwarlick3497]

Eh, got to listen closely for that!

[@WillyJackson-if6zf]

Ohhh! Get it now!

[@susanmurray7654]

Didnt know that...bwahahaha 😂

[@SAM-dg3vd]

Really?!?!🤣

[@Brian-ew9bn]

@@SAM-dg3vdNo, he’s saying Don’t let it stop now. Nothing about donuts😂

[@uncletom618]

The lyric “Muscle Shoals they got “The Swampers “, referencing the legendary house band at the Muscle Shoals, AL recording studio.

[@adamkenney6932]

The Swampers are definitely worth getting to know. So many great r&b/rock tracks from that era for Aretha, Percy Sledge, Wilson Pickett, from this small group of season musicians in Alabama.

[@julietate7806]

And don't forget Duane Allman and Jaimoe. They played in Muscle Shoals, too.

[@CANDOKNOWHOW]

Don’t forget Otis Redding either!

[@Poopship]

This is a response to Neil Young's songs Southern Man and Alabama. The funny thing is when they all met they became friends

[@geoffyoung9564]

Nice to hear that!

[@boboquisp]

Can I just mention the great piano playing by Billy Powell? He was so good!

[@maine420grow]

Luv me some little feat

[@chazfromtheburg]

I live about 45 miles from Muscle Shoals where so much great music was recorded back in the day. I'm from TN, but this song is straight southern rock ❤‍🔥❤‍🔥Love you guys!!

[@lesdavis2318]

They are singing about their home Alabama

[@Nomah1979]

They are from Jacksonville FL though....

[@sandranettles4833]

Jacksonville FL

[@gs8191]

Skynyrd were actually big fans of Neil Young but felt his Southern Man and Alabama songs were painting the whole South as racist instead of focusing on the ones who actually were. They were always mutual admirers, but they became friends after this song. You could see in some concerts in the mid-70s, Van Zandt would sometimes wear a Neil Young t-shirt and Young would sometimes don a Skynyrd or Van Zandt shirt.

[@KennyCamaro2364]

Ronnie Van Zant was buried in a Neil young tee shirt…

[@billschafer9668]

Great song. Skynyrd is from Jacksonville, FL. They loved the studio and people in Muscle Shoals , AL and Alabama in general. The fact is Ronnie and Neil actually liked each other but the song is basically Ronnie sticking up for the southern man. Theme song now for the Crimson Tide. A great version of this song are the live versions with Stevie Gaines playing lead guitar in 76 and 77.

[@rayj1011]

The Swampers are the session musicians at Muscle Shoals. Bands traveled the world over to record with them to get that special sound.

[@robertdawson8522]

The first diss song was by the Beatles.The song was Taxman where they called out politicians by name

[@justinatest9456]

Not just likely the first diss track, but easily the most popular. Crazy, never thought of it like that.

[@midnightrambler7716]

Alabama was not actually Skynyrd’s “state”. They were out of Jacksonville FL. They probably used Alabama as a metaphor for the whole south as, in addition to the song Southern Man from the album After the Gold Rush, they were attacking the song Alabama from the album Harvest. Maybe one of the original “dis” tracks. As I mentioned in another post, Ronnie was seen later wearing Neil Young Tonight’s the Night T-shirts however.

[@danarussell1291]

No, they would drive thru Alabama to get to Muscle Shoals and they saw a lot of beautiful country!! Look up The Swampers!!!

[@midnightrambler7716]

I’ve driven thru Alabama lots and agree it is beautiful country. I’m well aware of the Swampers. I have a demo CD of Skynyrd recorded at Muscle Shoals with a working version of Free Bird on it among others. There’s a great documentary about Muscle Shoals with the same title on Blu Ray that I have as well. Check it out. Boz Scaggs and Duane Allman recorded a song called Loan Me a Dime which the Swampers shine on. Check it out if you have not heard it.

[@StevenCryar]

They spent alot of time in Alabama recording and touring. They considered it to be a second home.

[@kennethbrown5164]

Neil Young was putting down the south in his song "Southern Man", saying that everyone is racist. Ronnie Van Zandt responds with don't moralize us with your anti south lyrics and beliefs, we are not all racists in the south.

[@cadymauro5792]

Cant stop listening ever to LYNARD SKYNYRD

[@peterfields4801]

My favourite Skynyrd song,like so many of their songs listening to it live takes it to another level!

[@stillstanding8286]

This might be an early diss track, but John Lennon released a song (which you guys already reacted to) in 1971 called “How Do You Sleep?” (from the “Imagine” album) that targeted his former Beatles bandmate Paul McCartney. That might not be the first diss track either, but it’s brutal.

[@CANDOKNOWHOW]

It’s blatantly taking shots at Paul.. take a listen to Paul’s “Let Me Roll It” as well.. it’s always seemed like a reply to John too, minus the animus John was spitting on his song.

[@benhinds2971]

The Swampers were the band comprised of studio musicians at the legendary studio in Alabama call Muscle Shoals. (Google artists who recorded there)

[@fredshred5194]

an American record producer, songwriter, and musician who became known as the owner of FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. As the "Father of Muscle Shoals Music", he was influential in recording and promoting both country and soul music, and in helping develop the careers of such musicians as Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Duane Allman and Etta James.

[@bradsense7431]

If you listen closely after the line “I heard Mr Young sing about her” you can hear “Southern Man” which was sung and added in by their producer Al Kooper.

[@billreilly7693]

The feud between them was cleared up back in the 1970s.They all ended up friends.☮🥁☘

[@MicheleJane]

True. but still, As much as i like skynards music I never liked hearing them diss Neil Young!😄

[@757optim]

@@MicheleJane Well, Neil started it. Haha.

[@hampyonce]

The response was to making generalizations about people...and sort of went on to point out that there are good and bad folks everywhere and that Alabama had a sweet side.

[@MicheleJane]

@@757optim 😄True, he did. Justifiably too 😉

[@757optim]

@@MicheleJane Sure.

[@WillyJackson-if6zf]

Steely Dan wrote a response song to John Lennon's song 'Imagine' on their Can't Buy a Thrill album called 'Only a Fool Would Say'.

[@suesebree8670]

I learn so much on this channel! Thanks for the info!

[@WillyJackson-if6zf]

@@suesebree8670 👍

[@arthurwoodson288]

"Muscle Shoals has got the swampers & they can pick a song or two, they pick me up when I'm feeling blue " is in reference to Muscle Shoals studio where they recorded much of their music. Check out the artist that came out of Muscle Shoals, Excellent Musicians.

[@midnightrambler7716]

Listen to Loan Me a Dime by Boz Scaggs and Duane Allman which was recorded with the Swampers there if you haven’t. You won’t regret it!

[@Ibanezed210]

The signature guitar at the intro is what fables are made of.

[@GoldTop57]

Legendary Ed King

[@jackndew2]

@@GoldTop57 Yes and I always found it interesting that a SoCal man,, born and bred, who was previously the guitarist for 60's pop group Strawberry Alarm Clock, ended up in Florida and being as successful as he was.

[@mikecaetano]

Lynyrd Skynyrd were from Jacksonville, Florida. Merry Clayton sings the backing vocals on this. She famously sang the second part on The Rolling Stones "Gimme Shelter". The ferocity of her delivery drives the chorus in the middle of the guitar solo.

[@treydog317]

Have you reacted to “ballad of Curtis Loew”. Another great song by LS

[@MrJhbart001]

I saw an interview with Ed King and he said he came up with the opening guitar into and Ronnie was sitting on the couch at the hell house head down and and gave them the rolling signal with his hand to keep going and like 20 mins later he had all the lyrics and they knew it was a hit and had to get over to the studio right away and get it down on tape and the rest is history. One of the biggest songs of the 70s

[@kennycamaro2361]

One of the most play tracks alltime on classic rock stations

[@jaykeith1909]

(1974) It was written in response to Neil Young's 1970 song "Southern Man", which the band felt blamed the entire South for American slavery;

[@davidsizemore5642]

Not only was it a straight diss of Neil Young, but legend has it that they were fans of each other.

[@-R.Gray-]

There is also the Steely Dan song "Everything You Did" with the lyrics "Turn up The Eagles the neighbors are listening", (about covering up the sounds of an argument with some inoffensive music), which was answered in "Hotel California" with "They stab it with their steely knives, but they just can't kill the beast".

[@ednicholson7839]

Also Steely Dan’s “Only a Fool Would Say That” is a criticism of John Lennon’s “Imagine”. Maybe not exactly a dis track but pretty close.

[@WillyJackson-if6zf]

Thank you!

[@perijetton9275]

Yesterday was the 46th anniversary of the plane crash. The Swampers they sing about in the last verse is about the session pickers in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. RVZ was a poet who took no crap! 😂

[@suesebree8670]

I remember where I was when I heard the news of the crash. DEVASTATING...

[@perijetton9275]

@@suesebree8670 me too! 💔

[@citizenghosttown]

There's a terrific documentary about studio and session players in Muscle Shoals, Alabama ("Muscle Shoals" from 2013). Highly recommended!

[@perijetton9275]

@@citizenghosttown it’s one of my favorites!

[@bradsense7431]

Yesterday the anniversary date of the crash. There is a memorial this weekend down in Gillsburg MS site of the crash. Crash survivors and first responders will be attending. There are various activities planned. Craig Reed who was a roadie and the person Ronnie was singing about in the line- “one of the crew had go with one of the guest” in song “What’s Your Name” will be making his first visit to the site since the crash.

[@sandymiller3577]

I remember being at my parents house, downstairs... I had a few friends over... playing pool and listening to music. I think I was about 15 years old. All of a sudden my mom came downstairs and said the news came on saying a plane crashed with some of the members of Lynyrd Skynyrd on it. I will never forget that day, it changed the mood completely with everyone. Every one I knew (as a teenager) loved Lynyrd Skynyrd... In fact, we were probably listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd at that time. It was a very sad and solem time. Thanks for the reaction to this great band... Someone explained the situation with Neil Young pretty well on these comments, so I won't even respond to that. There's also a documentary on Netflix about Lynyrd Skynyrd... In case you're interested in watching it. It was really good. Next Lynyrd Skynyrd reaction? The ballad of Curtis Lowe❤

[@mamaflush9945]

I also remember that awful day and what I was doing...RIP" Ronnie, Steve, Cassie ❤‍🔥🎸U R Miss and yes Neil Young was shining a light on the racism in the south. "Lynyrd Skynyrd - Ballad Of Curtis Loew (Audio)" (by the Channel: Lynyrd Skynyrd)

[@pcard10]

I remember that day as well. I came home and my mom told me the news. I was devastated!

[@stevedahlberg8680]

Absolutely

[@stevedahlberg8680]

The plane crash happened when I was in junior high and a lot of us were devastated. For a while in the movie theater, they would not play the reels for the upcoming attractions and instead they inserted this hastily put together Memorial mini documentary to Lynyrd Skynyrd, concluding with of course Freebird.

[@dgator3599]

I was 13 yrs old when it came over the radio station. I was stunned. My older sister had tickets to a concert they were scheduled to perform in TN. Now as an adult, I was fortunate to live across the street from Donnie Van Zant for 20 yrs. He built a house next to Johnny about 10 mins away but I still see him occasionally at Publix or driving down the road. They are a great family. They've been generous to our family over the years. I was even fortunate enough to get a glimpse of the Rebel flag that was used as a backdrop to their last concerts. It was discolored, tattered and old and way too big to be unfolded but what a priceless moment to see that.

[@billc.5861]

Billy Powell on piano & Ed King ripping it on his Fender Stratocaster are so good. Ronnie doing his thing , Garry , Allen, Bob & Leon were so damn tight

[@jeffmattson5766]

Don’t forget the Honkettes.

[@billc.5861]

Hahaha. Of course And the Honkettes too.

[@elizabethwood9409]

Birmingham native here! Love this song ❤️

[@bobschenkel7921]

The "turn it up" was from Ronnie Van Zant to Al Kooper, who was the producer, to turn up his studio headphones. The "feud" between Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd was mostly a media creation, but Skynyrd did mention Neil's song "Southern Man", Neil also had a song called "Alabama". This is a VERY political song. BTW, the boys in Lynyrd Skynyrd were from Jacksonville, Fla..

[@davidl7466]

As others have mentioned, Neil Young wrote Southern Man and Alabama as a critique of the South and it's history of racism and this song was a response to that. Both artists were speaking a truth, and offered their views through some beautiful music.

[@spawn4582]

"Sweet Home Alabama", the song is well remembered, it's a hit

[@quietwoodworking]

Neil Young wrote a song named "Alabama" and another classic song "Southern Man", which is a strong rebuke of Southern racism and the harrowing legacy of KKK lynching in the South.

[@stephenhuber1219]

Billy Powell played piano on Kid Rock's All Summer Long

[@324cmac]

Southern Man by Neil Young was the problem. LS just loved the people of Alabama. They talked about Governor George Wallace (terrible racist). They said 'boo boo boo' when they mentioned him. "We did what we could do.' - that was their response. He talked about the studio band, The Swampers, at Muscle Shoals who they loved too. It was the South vs the Yankees in a way.

[@scotties.3414]

I love how Kid Rock sampled this and made an instant hit -- that riff has so much life in it.

[@deaniegarcia5694]

When the great Oakland Raider’s QB Kenny Stabler passed, he had this tune playing full blast in his hospital room…says what you need to know about southerners feeling for where they came from. I live near Nashville and here you are a UT Volunteer or an Alabama Crimson Tide fan, period. Love this song, read the comments guys, it’s all there..loved your reaction tho…Cheers!

[@324cmac]

Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams of The Temptations always felt that they were not respected enough in Detroit because they came from Alabama. I think there is a stereotype and a bias against the South (especially about accents). Racism happens all over this country. It's just more overt in the South a lot of times.

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

Good luck today (Tennessee vs Alabama). By the way, Tom Flores is near me in Fresno, Ca and we used to see the Snake a lot around here.

[@BBaldwin]

How bout them Noles!!!

[@danarussell1291]

There's a great documentary called Muscle Shoals that will explain a lot, especially why a group of Florida boys would write about Alabama!!

[@nordogvids]

First time I heard this song I was pleasantly high, on a quadrophonic stereo, awesome!

[@donnabailey8983]

This song is definitely tongue- and -cheek.

[@zunbake3]

What should not be overlooked is that Brooklyn Born Music Legend Al Kooper produced this album and song. After moving to Atlanta in 1972, Kooper discovered the Band Lynyrd Skynyrd, and produced and performed on their first three albums, including the singles "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird".

[@axelpenn2131]

Al Kooper also fronted a Canadian band Blood Sweat and Tears in their early years! ✌🏻

[@zunbake3]

Kooper did a zillion things in Rock History like playing keyboards for Dylan when he went electric, forming The Blues Project, Super Session Album with Bloomfield and Stills an on and on.

[@fredshred5194]

Southern Man is the song that they are talking/singing about.

[@suesebree8670]

Good morning La and Che! Great start to Saturday! Neil Young was putting down the entire South for their racism.

[@AirplayBeats]

Good Morning!!

[@johnathanstruble1064]

. muscle shoals is the famed recording studio in Alabama, the earliest recordings of Aretha , Wilson Pickett, and a young studio guitarist named Duanne Allman. the Swampers refer to the studio musicians that backed up the stars....

[@LesSmith45]

People should not rip you young men for not knowing about music we all grew up on all our lives! I know you guys grew up on hip hop, rap and todays R&B (not my R&B 60’s-70’s is different). You guys are keeping the greatest music ever recorded alive with your reactions! You are spreading it around! For that I am great full. Sure there are times I go WTF? You have not heard this before. Then I realize you were NEVER exposed to this music all your life! Keep up the great work

[@AirplayBeats]

Thank you!! We appreciate you!!

[@LesSmith45]

@@AirplayBeats NO! Thank you!!!! You two are one of two reactors I look for every single day! What is special about you guys. You know music WAY better than I do. I just listen to it. You guys break it down musically and the way it was produced. Which I have NO CLUE about. So you are teaching me.I am just glad you young men are experiencing the 50’s - 80’s music! There is so much out there you young men have never heard. I have 10,000 songs on my iPod! I literally could spend a year with you turning you onto so much great music from Classic Rock, Punk/New wave, hard rock, the oldies (Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and many many more). I hope you young men love what your doing because if you keep this up you will be an old man like me (62) and still not covered it all!

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Gentlemen you are a pleasure lmao. 70s were great 🙏🍁

[@NewOldVideos-d5o]

Also the reference to Muscle Shoals was about Muscle Shoals Sound Studios where many R&B artist recorded albums. The Wrecking Crew of the south.

[@dundundata7603]

Airplay Beats= instant upvote

[@CoDee2U]

Every time 😎

[@hog7203]

The fact that you both mentioned this as one of the most recognized riffs is a fact. I have a friend who's been the drum tech and backup drummer for Skynyrd for the last several years. Back when he first started the gig, I told him that Imo, they were one of the most famous rock bands in history because you can play that guitar lick anywhere in the world and it's usually recognized. He didn't realize how popular they were on an international level until he started working for them. On his first tour with them,he sent me a pic of one of their shows in Brazil, and the stadium was packed with nothing but Skynyrd fans. Several years ago he was the drummer in a band y'all might enjoy called Jam Pain Society. They have a good video on KZbin of them performing an original called You Made Me.

[@mimiwiz1]

Another great dis song is Bob Dylan's Positively 4th Street. Several theories on who it was written about. They lyrics are scathing!

[@ReactarooSkidoo]

This song has some of the tastiest guitar playing I have ever heard. The guitar solos are so good and they really lock in with the rhythm and it never gets boring. I think the song is so popular that maybe it gets overlooked but some of the solos in this song needs to be ranked among the greatest of all time.

[@christywhitehead3171]

You hit the nail on the head

[@KevinMyers0619]

Honestly, the two of you (with some editing) could develop your own college course; either live or one that is pre-recorded for students to listen within a course. This is so introspective and just simply cool. Thanks to both of you.

[@AirplayBeats]

Wow. Thanks Kevin. Thats a huge compliment.

[@wileyjdraws7594]

Not really a diss track but a earlier response track is Loretta Lynn's song not woman enough to take my man a response to the song Jolene by Dolly Parton

[@kirbybailey607]

Great your paying attention to the lyrics!!!

[@AirplayBeats]

👍🏿

[@gabrielatorres211]

Me encanto este video

[@jacksnomist7860]

You guys have the best sound!

[@rogueleader4181]

On the jam thing, you need to see them do "Freebird" live. They can jam.

[@jillw4983]

Alabama, which is a very nice state. Extremely friendly ppl

[@citizenghosttown]

There's a great band called "Drive By Truckers" from Alabama. They put out an album in 2001 called "Southern Rock Opera" -- the album is essentially about this very feud and the duality of the south and growing up in the south with its complicated legacy. Terrific album -- check it out!

[@citizenghosttown]

FYI, the lead singer and principal songwriter of the "Truckers," Patterson Hood is the son of David Hood, a studio musician from Muscle Shoals - one of the "Swampers" that Lynyrd Skynyrd sing about. It runs deep.

[@AzucenaAnteliz]

Buenossimo..!!

[@NewOldVideos-d5o]

At the beginning where he says "turn it up" he was talking to the engineer to turn up the mix on his monitor.

[@chrisbrimhall1613]

The line Muscle Shoals has The Swampers….this is relating to the house band for the Muscle Shoals studio. The swampers were on a ton of classic albums including Aretha Franklin

[@perrymalcolm3802]

“Her” = The South Both great songs

[@jenniferfoster1692]

To say that you're on a roll is a huge understatement, you guys are just on fire! Lynyrd Skynrd and the Allman Brothers on the same day?!!! And Bowie?!! You guys are truly the best.

[@ritaferreyraarce8694]

Super entrevista

[@jenniferfoster1692]

Even with this back and forth between Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd, they both respected the other and Neil loved this song. After the plane crash Neil incorporated this song into his concerts, playing it often.

[@ML-un1oi]

Che you are spot on. I am not taking side love both Lynerd Niel. Thanks for a great start to a Saturday. Excellent reaction to a excellent song and artist. Appreciate you 🙏 ❤

[@AirplayBeats]

Have a great weekend my friend.

[@ML-un1oi]

@@AirplayBeats And you as well.

[@myniecemadethis]

Just subscribed because I never wondered if "Sweet Home Alabama" was the first "dis" song and you guys did! Loved that! And I know this is forever ago, but I'm catching up. This song is also HUGE in Bryant-Denny Stadium with the Crimson Tide if that hasn't been mentioned.

[@clasmaster1471]

In the Neil Young song Southern Man, he makes a dig at the south in Alabama as being a racist state. He said in the song don’t forget what your good book says talking about the south. They hit each other back-and-forth on it but Skynyrd always said they still liked Neil Young and respected him.

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

Love the keyboard riffing in this song. So much talent on that stage.

[@davidwolf4677]

For many years, Lynyrd Skynyrd performed on stage with a huge Confederate flag as a backdrop. Interestingly, they more recently ditched that flag for the Stars and Stripes.

[@luisvelarde6168]

Gratis song What a clasic

[@Grimgrimmerson]

Guys... @spookytruth is correct. If you want more confirmation listen very carefully after the line "I heard Mr. Young sing about her" and in the background you'll hear the female backup singers say "Southern Man". It's faint but it's there.

[@citizenghosttown]

The "her" is the south -- these guys were pushing back against Neil's songs "Southern Man" and "Alabama" which painted a picture of white southerners as vicious racists (with cause given what was going on with Bull Connor and George Wallace in Birmingham). The bottom line is that: 1) THESE guys weren't racists or defending racism -- they simply saw a South that was different from what Neil and many Northerners saw, 2) In the end there was great mutual admiration -- supposedly Neil Young was a pallbearer at Ronnie Van Zandt's funeral (I don't know if that's actually true, 3) This song has one of the best and most memorable riffs you'll hear!

[@michaelyork4554]

Neil Young was singing about slavery and the KKK and The South in general being racist. "Southern Man" is a harsh song, but it is more a 40's and 50's America, when this song came out, the south had racism, but not like what Neil was describing, so Ronnie decided to throw it back, and say we're all hypocrites sometimes, and corruption is everywhere. It's always more about money than anything else.

[@324cmac]

Well, Governor George Wallace was in office in the 1960s and he was a huge segregationist. He was also governor in the 1970s and the 1980s. But he did not reflect all the people in Alabama which is what Ronnie thought was unfair.

[@michaelyork4554]

@@324cmac Plenty of finger pointing going on, I suppose Ronnie was saying we should point the finger at ourselves. Same thing as "Mr. Saturday Night Special". Personal Responsibility.

[@324cmac]

@@michaelyork4554 I think he was saying not to blame all the people for a few who are corrupt. Such was his example of the people in the North not feeling they were responsible for Watergate. Hopefully, Neil made some trips to Alabama and mingled with the people. I know Ronnie started wearing a Neil Young t-shirt.

[@lipby]

There's a long tradition of response songs--the oldest (and one of the best) examples I know of it being "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" (Kitty Wells) in response to Hank Thomson's "Wild Side of Life"--which uses the same exact melody.

[@robertwhitmer2712]

As far as a diss song goes, John Lennon's "How Do You Sleep" about McCartney was before this. I'm sure there have been plenty before that. Great reaction to a great tune guys!

[@Noelle0026]

Muscle Shoals recording studio had the Swampers great studio musicians!

[@nflr92]

Swampers at Muscle Shoals mentioned. Famous rhythm section that contributed to so many hits recorded at Fame Studio

[@randyallaben9900]

The documentary Muscle Shoals is epic. You learn about the Swampers. Definitely need to check it out.

[@barrystepp7296]

Dang radio station around here cuts out that second lead part on air to save time burns my ass up every time

[@decadesbandtucson4880]

This Was The Song That P[ut Them On The Map!! Love You Guy's Keep Doing What Your Doing!!

[@johntrickey7182]

It's in response to Neil Young 's " Southern Man" which implies about institutional racism. Van Zandt's biographers, band mates, others have said it was blown away out of proportion, but it made for a lot of press.

[@ranchyblues]

Neil Young - Southern Man

[@rickclark8657]

In 1971 Paul McCartney took some digs at John Lennon in a song called too many people John’s response was a song called How Do You Sleep? where he trashes McCartney songs by name slightly earlier than this