Free Bird

It was October 20, 1977, thirty one years ago, Ronnie Van Zant, lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd, and five others were killed in a plane crash near McComb. Van Zant was 29 years old. Being raised on classic rock, I was heart broken. I well remember the newscasts about the tragedy. And since this happened locally they showed it a lot. The band never was the same without Ronnie.

Even though some parts of the movie Conair creeped me out, I loved the line where the serial killer says, while Sweet Home Alabama plays in the background, "Ironic, isn't it? Flying an airplane while listening to a song played by a band whose members got killed in a plane crash."

If I had to pick a favorite LS song I guess it would be “That Smell”. Truly Classic Southern Rock. The song was written by Ronnie Van Zant and Allen Collins about band guitarist Gary Rosington who had a drug and alcohol problem. He had a car crash that affected the band’s tour for several weeks.

Whiskey bottles and brand new cars;
oak tree you're in my way.
There's too much coke and too much smoke
Look what's going on inside you.

Ooh, ooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell?
Ooh, ooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you.Yeah.

Angel of darkness is upon you.
Stuck a needle in your arm (you, fool, you)
So take another toke, have a blow for your nose,
one more drink, fool, would drown you.

Ooh, ooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell?
Ooh, ooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you.

Now they call you prince charming.
Can't speak a word when you're full of 'ludes.
Say you'll be alright come tomorrow,
but tomorrow might not be here for you. (yeah, you)

Ooh, ooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell?
Ooh, ooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you.
Aw, you, fool, you.

You stick them needles in your arm
I know I been there before.
One little problem that confronts you,
got a monkey on your back.
Just one more fix, Lord, might do the trick.
One hell of a price for you to get your kicks.

Ooh, ooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell?
Ooh, ooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you.

Oh, you, fool, you
Don't stick those needles in your arm.
You're just a fool, just a fool, just a fool.


Take a listen, it will bring back memories…
http://apps.facebook.com/lyricsdomain/artist/lynyrd_skynyrd/song/that_smell