Wednesday, Richard Roeper wrote that "Sweet Home Alabama" is the greatest rock song of all time.

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | March 31, 2005 | Instant Messages

[Chi-townChief]

I thought you were a little bit more progressive than that. How could you promote that obviously racist song? Do you think that weak excuse for a defense is going to make everyone forget the racist tones that were meant by the band. The same band that used a Confederate flag as a backdrop. I got some other bands that people like you may enjoy: Hatebreed, Screwdriver, Arayan Way, just to name a few. Boy, I've been a reader of your column for years. You have even printed my reponses to a couple of your columns. Never again.

Gerald

***

I thoroughly enjoyed your column today, but I must take umbrage with the label "Best Song Ever" for "Sweet Home Alabama." (You knew you would receive letters like this, right?) While your selection is surely a fine song, I am proud to say that several years ago I settled on what is in fact the "Best Song Ever," and with all due respect to your selection, I am able to offer irrefutable proof that my selection is correct, justified and can strongly stand alone as the "Best Song Ever":

"Johnny B. Goode"

So, why is this the "Best Song Ever"? First of all, it was written and performed by a black musician. As we all know, it was the blues and rhythm & blues songs that first morphed into rock & roll music, as perfomed by black artists. So, whatever the "best" song turns out to be, it has to be by a black musician. Also, this is an autobiographical song. "Johnny B. Goode" is clearly Chuck Berry in the song. In fact, Berry has been quoted as originally writing the line as "that little colored boy can play" instead of "country." He knew he could never get "colored" past the record label executives. So now, not only is it by a black musician, but it is about a black musician. We are almost halfway there! Thirdly, the song itself is about rock & roll music! The 4th wall has been broken! We are all sharing a private smile and enjoying the music at an additional level, because we all know what it is about. And lastly, and probably most importantly, it has an absolutely fantastic guitar break that begins the song and serves as the solo in the middle of the song. It was in this song that the strutting, flayling bombastic guitar solo was born! Led Zeppelin and Foghat would have nothing without "Johnny B. Goode"! This guitar solo has been copied by no less than the Beach Boys AND the Beatles. And, who in the Western Hemisphere doesn't know this song? Whose toes don't immediately start to tap, who does not play air guitar and sing the wrong words every time this song is played?!?! So Mr. Roeper, I am sorry to ruin your day, but as I am sure you can see, "Johnny B. Goode" is indeed, "THE BEST SONG EVER." Feel free to print a retraction.

Larry

***

Great column today! I am a huge fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd and every time I hear "Sweet Home Alabama" or any of their songs for that matter, it takes me think of the small, rural Illinois town that I grew up in. Even though they were before my time, I have fond memories of listening to classic rock with my dad and hearing Skynyrd songs and jamming out with my friends to their songs. Although I live in Chicago now, I'll always be a small town girl at heart and your column reminded me of that today.

Lyndsey

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Thank you very much for your column today! "Sweet Home Alabama" is playing in my mind right now, and I hope it keeps on rockin' my brain for the rest of the day. The Who is my favorite band, but I cannot disagree with your assessment of this Lynyrd Skynyrd classic. I bet even Pete and Roger would agree with you (but would Keith Moon?).

Patrick

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I am not a fan of "Southern Rock," especially the redneck types -- the likes of .38 Special, the Outlaws, etc. and all of those derivative cowboy-hatted, longhaired bands of the 70s. (Allman Bros. are the exception that proves the rule). I would include Skynyrd in that category too, ("Gimme Three Steps," gimme a break!) were it not for the absolutely transcendent opening riff and redemptive groove of "Sweet Home Alabama." I love that tune, and have been cranking it up for 30 years whenever it comes on. I still do, even though my tastes now run more to jazz, world music, and obscure, artistic rock.

Christian

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I've always thought it foolish to pick the best anything ever, but you just might be right on this one.

Chris

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Great song ... yes. Greatest rock and roll song of all time ... no way. Thought it my civic duty to bring this to your attention. Hey, you know WAY TOO MUCH about this particular song anyway ... that's kind of scary. By the way, you do have the greatest job on earth (the movie critic job). Mine's pretty awesome though, too.

State Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago)

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I enjoy your writing. I don't always agree with your columns but If we all agreed with each other on every issue, life would be boring. The greatest rock and roll song is actually titled "Rock and Roll" either by Velvet Underground or Led Zeppelin. Take your pick. Keep up the good work.

Mark

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The greatest song ever written is "Proud Mary." (Although on a warm Chicago day, with the car windows rolled down, the song I would turn up the highest is "Fun, Fun, Fun" by the Beach Boys.)

Nancy

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First the best song, ever -- and now the best article, ever !!!

Jean

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You have got to be kidding us about "Sweet Home Alabama" being the best. Just 2 of many off the top of my head are Way better -- "Purple Haze" or "Crossroads (Live)" from Wheels of Fire!

Mark

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It might interest you to know what Neil once said about "Sweet Home Alabama." These aren't his exact words, but it went something like this: "I'd rather play 'Sweet Home Alabama' than 'Southern Man' anyday. When I first heard it, I thought, 'What a great guitar sound.' And then they mentioned my name, which is really cool." Young actually went on to write some songs for Lynyrd Skynyrd, among them 'Powderfinger' and 'Sedan Delivery.' He performed his song 'Alabama' in a tribute to the band after the fatal plane crash in 1977 that killed Van Zant.

Dan

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I feel the exact same way about "Fortunate Son." Just a kick-ass song.

Bart

[Socratic]

"...until this happened."

Oh man, I was just funnin' and never meant to be cruel!

[RockinRight]

It's in my head now too!

Thanks for the ping, MotleyGirl!

[SouthernFreebird]

I don't think pissant likes Freebird.

Say it ain't so pissant !

Best song....Freebird

'Sweet Home Alabama' is the National Anthem of the South so it's in a class by itself.

[Quilla]

And I'm just funnin' with you too, but I did hum that little ditty a few too many times yesterday afternoon.

[dfwgator]

'Sweet Home Alabama' is the National Anthem of the South so it's in a class by itself.

Only one problem. Skynyrd was from Florida, not Alabama.

[MotleyGirl70]

Alright give it up...what is your #1.

Inquiring minds want to know.

[js1138]

I enjoy your writing. I don't always agree with your columns but If we all agreed with each other on every issue, life would be boring. The greatest rock and roll song is actually titled "Rock and Roll" either by Velvet Underground or Led Zeppelin. Take your pick. Keep up the good work.

I'm from Jacksonville, lived next door to Robert Quine in college, and my wife's from Chicago. Three hits on one thread. Must be Karma.

[G.Mason]

"Before the debate resumes ... "

Debate? On greatest R&R song ever?

I'm 65, and haven't the time left that it would take to debate that. LOL

Hotel California ... The Eagles

Cocaine ... Clapton

Whole Lotta Love ... Led Zeppelin

White Room ... Cream

Sweet Home Alabama ... Lynyrd Skynyrd

Crossroads ... Cream ... These are just some of the ones I really enjoy, and that come to mind.

Heck, I love so many R&R songs, I cannot count that high. ;)

Maybe by decade?

[oyez]

Satisfaction.(Stones)
Suspicious Minds(Elvis)
Voodoo Chile( Hindrix or Stivie Ray)
Freebird(Skynerd)
Like a Rolling Stone(Dylan)

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

Someone was complaining on a music thread the other day about Freebird. I am not sure if it was pissant, but maybe. I was busy bi*ching about my hatred of Bono.

[dfwgator]

Gotta go with "Won't Get Fooled Again." The absolutely perfect rock and roll song.

[G.Mason]

"It's a great tune, but not my #1. But nobody would agree with my #1 anyway."

What? That's no reason not to fess up. Personally, I could care less if anyone liked my pick or not, but then it would take me forever and a day to pick the one that is absolutely the best. Like the kid in the candy shop. Only one? ;)

[oyez]

When picking songs by Zepplin,SRV, ZZTop and Cream(Clapton) I can't pick a #1. I get in an argument with myself and loose.

[G.Mason]

A very good song. An excellent choice.

"I'll tip my hat to the new constitution

Take a bow for the new revolution

Smile and grin at the change all around

Pick up my guitar and play

Just like yesterday

Then I'll get on my knees and pray

We don't get fooled again

Don't get fooled again

No, no!

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

[MotleyGirl70]

...I can't pick a #1. I get in an argument with myself and loose.

Sounds like me.

I like CCR too. Picking just one of my favorites from them would be tough.

[SouthernFreebird]

I was kidding...thought I pinged pissant to my reply but it didn't work.

pissant------> check out #25

[Chi-townChief]

And your #1 is ...

[G.Mason]

"When picking songs by Zepplin,SRV, ZZTop and Cream(Clapton) I can't pick a #1. I get in an argument with myself and loose."

Boy isn't that the truth!

I hear anything, even going back to Gene Vincent & Blue Suede Shoes, and I go back in time to when I carried a sweater with me on the bus because the vibrations brought out the best in me.

Then I'll hear The Day That Music Died, or Macarthur Park and go off in a dream world, or perhaps Bob Seger ... Like A Rock, Then there's The Beatles ... A Day In The Life ... and ...

[swmobuffalo]

That's ok Florida is in the south not that the rest of the South may want to claim it now.

[RockinRight]

My #1 favorite:

Dio - Holy Diver