Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Best song ever picks me up when I'm feelin' blue
Chicago Sun-Times ^ | March 30, 2005 | RICHARD ROEPER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

Posted on 03/30/2005 4:35:33 AM PST by Chi-townChief

Maybe it was during the Grammy Awards, when an all-star band jammed to this song onstage, reminding us of a time when you had to play an instrument to be considered a musician. Maybe it was when I was at P.J. Clarke's on State Street on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day, and green-clad revelers of all ages started dancing when the song came on the jukebox. I didn't see a man who danced with his wife, but I did see a girl who wasn't born when the song was released -- and she was singing along with every word, as if it had been her homecoming theme.

Maybe it was when I heard the song as the theme for a NASCAR video game.

Maybe it was when Hilary and Hailey Duff appeared at an event at the W Hotel City Center on Adams a couple of weeks ago, and the crowd went wild when DJ AM incorporated the song's famous opening riff into his mix.

Maybe it was when the song popped up during a screening of the upcoming Matthew McConaughey-Penelope Cruz movie "Sahara" -- just the latest of many, many, many films to use this tune on the soundtrack.

Maybe it was all those factors, building to a crescendo.

All I know is that somewhere along the way, it hit me.

"Sweet Home Alabama" is the greatest rock and roll song of all time.

Some Lynyrd Skynyrd purists will tell you that "Sweet Home Alabama" isn't even the greatest Skynyrd song of all time, that the honors should go to "Tuesday's Gone" or some lesser-known album cut. (But probably not the overrated "Freebird.") Still, no Lynyrd Skynyrd song, and few rock songs from any band, have cut such a wide and lasting swath through the popular culture, while somehow retaining power and freshness.

'Big wheels keep on turnin' '

When I hear the first notes of "Stairway to Heaven" or "Smoke on the Water," I lunge for the radio dial. Enough is enough. When I hear the first notes of "Sweet Home Alabama," well, I turn it up.

The opening guitar lick is one of the most recognizable and electrifying intros in the history of popular music, right up there with the first notes of "Ohio," "Layla," "Baba O'Reilly" and "Revolution."

The lead vocals are muscular and clear and unapologetic.

Everybody knows the first line: "Big wheels keep on turnin.' " Not everybody knows the second line ("Carry me home to see my kin"), but it doesn't matter, you can keep singing anyway and catch up with "And I think it's a sin, yeah."

The chorus is just about perfect. You cannot and should not resist singing along with it.

The guitar work is killer.

The chick-singer background work is heavenly.

The lyrics matter. Yes, they're a bit incendiary. The founding members of Lynyrd Skynyrd were from Florida, and they embraced the Confederate flag as a stage prop. "Sweet Home Alabama" was written in part as a response to Neil Young's "Southern Man," and it includes a line seemingly sympathetic to Gov. George Wallace. But Ronnie Van Zant and his bandmates in Skynyrd also recorded "The Ballad of Curtis Lowe," an important song that embraced black music and spoke of the young Van Zant's rebellion against institutional racism.

It's everywhere

Taken as a whole and in the context of the times, "Sweet Home Alabama" is not in any way a racist song. Neil Young understood that, and so did Jimmy Carter, a liberal who welcomed the band's support.

Enough with the defense. If I'm casting my vote for the song with the best message about tolerance and peace and love, I could come up with countless better selections, from "Turn! Turn! Turn!" by the Byrds to "What's Going On?" by Marvin Gaye.

But we're talking pure rock. And as piece of pure rock, "Sweet Home Alabama" kicks ass.

It's also a pop culture touchstone, more so now than 30 years ago. "Sweet Home Alabama" has been featured in "Forrest Gump," "The Girl Next Door" and "To Die For," among other films. Of course there's also the movie "Sweet Home Alabama," with a cover version from Jewel.

In "Con Air," when the inmates take over the plane and party to the sounds of "Alabama," Steve Buscemi's Garland Greene character makes the immortal observation: "Define irony: a bunch of idiots dancing around on a plane to a song made famous by a band that died in a plane crash."

Then there's the scene in "8 Mile" when Eminem's B-Rabbit customizes the lyrics to reflect the sad state of his own life: "Cuz I live at home in a trailer/Mom I'm comin' home to you!"

Over the last five decades, there have been enough great rock and roll songs to make an iPod cry. Rolling Stone magazine recently listed its top 500, with Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" at the top. I could list 100 stronger contenders, from "Won't Get Fooled Again" to "Smells Like Teen Spirit" to "Hey Jude" to "November Rain" -- but none surpasses "Sweet Home Alabama."

Turn it up.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: entertainment; music
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 221-240241-260261-280 ... 381-383 next last
To: Chi-townChief

My favorite song is on every Rush CD.


241 posted on 03/30/2005 10:25:30 AM PST by Reagan Disciple (Peace through Strength)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: chris1

All the metal I listen to and I've never listened to Slayer. I'm kind of ashamed.


242 posted on 03/30/2005 10:29:42 AM PST by biblewonk (I wouldn't want to live like that.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 218 | View Replies]

To: soundandvision
I was referring more to the Ramones.

"Do you remember rock 'n' roll radio..." They were a lot of fun. At least they didn't take themselves too seriously, like the Clash. OTOH, if you distilled Sandinista down to 10 songs, you'd have an amazing album. At least they were mad, even if they came up with the wrong prescription.

Of New Wave, I still like some Blondie, particularly "Eat to the Beat," and Elvis from the "Armed Forces" era. I used to like the Talking Heads, but they seem too art-school, in retrospect.

243 posted on 03/30/2005 10:36:28 AM PST by Aquinasfan (Isaiah 22:22, Rev 3:7, Mat 16:19)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 201 | View Replies]

To: ABG(anybody but Gore)

I have to say that one of the coolest songs of the 80s was Split Enz' "I Got You," so weird it was great. It perfrctly conveyed the feeling of being with a babe you know you didn't belong with.


244 posted on 03/30/2005 10:40:00 AM PST by Chi-townChief
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 238 | View Replies]

To: Chi-townChief

Best Rock Pick Me Up Songs:

Seventh Son: Johnny Rivers
Ramblin Gamblin Man: Bob Seger

Non Rock:

New York New York: The Chairman of the Board, Mr. Frank Sinatra


245 posted on 03/30/2005 10:48:46 AM PST by Ramcat (Thank You American Veterans)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chi-townChief
"Sweet Home Alabama" is the greatest rock and roll song of all time.

Hmmmmm,Led Zeppelin's "Achilles Last Stand" and "Ten Years Gone" have always been my top 1,2 of all time.

246 posted on 03/30/2005 10:52:29 AM PST by Pagey (Hillary talking about the bible is as hypocritical as Bill carrying one out of church for 8 years)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chi-townChief

"Thunderstruck" by AC/DC (live).

If that don't get the blood pumping, nothing will.

Cheers!


247 posted on 03/30/2005 10:53:37 AM PST by SZonian (Tagline???? I don't need no stinkin' tagline!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chi-townChief

Other great 80s music: almost anything by The Police, "So" by Peter Gabriel, the soundtrack from "The Breakfast Club" is also pretty cool. And the 80s saw the birth of U2 and REM, two of the best new bands of the last two decades, IMO.


248 posted on 03/30/2005 10:54:16 AM PST by ABG(anybody but Gore) (From Roe v Wade to Terri Schiavo, the RATS have become a death cult...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 244 | View Replies]

To: ncdrumr

I still listen to "Magic Man" by Heart which I think was their best song ever.


249 posted on 03/30/2005 10:56:19 AM PST by expatguy (http://laotze.blogspot.com/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 208 | View Replies]

To: Chi-townChief

Richard Roeper is an imbecile.


250 posted on 03/30/2005 11:00:00 AM PST by Protagoras (Christ is risen.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pagey
"Sweet Home Alabama" is the greatest rock and roll song of all time.

I prefer ~

"All Right Now" by Free


251 posted on 03/30/2005 11:01:13 AM PST by expatguy (http://laotze.blogspot.com/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 246 | View Replies]

To: kidd
Nevertheless, best opening lick is Van Halen's "Running with the Devil"

I prefer the opening to "Panama." Best drum intro: "Hot for Teacher"

252 posted on 03/30/2005 11:05:55 AM PST by wi jd
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: expatguy

After giving it careful consideration, I've come to my conclusion: the greatest rock and roll song of all time is "Won't Get Fooled Again" by the Who.

See Post 230 to see why I came to this decision... ;^)


253 posted on 03/30/2005 11:07:47 AM PST by ABG(anybody but Gore) (From Roe v Wade to Terri Schiavo, the RATS have become a death cult...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 251 | View Replies]

To: expatguy

"Magic Man" is awesome, even after 30 years. I still don't get tired of hearing their songs. Ann Wilson's voice is amazing. Good choice!


254 posted on 03/30/2005 11:17:22 AM PST by ncdrumr
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 249 | View Replies]

To: John O

"okay post the rest of it. So I can get today's cry out of the way."

I may be taking my life into my own hands, but here it is:


" Honey "

See the Tree how big it's grown
But Friend it hasn't been too long
It wasn't big.

I laughed at her and she got mad
The first day that she planted it
Was just a Twig

Then the first Snow came
And she ran out to brush the Snow away
So it wouldn't die

Came runnin' in all excited
Slipped and almost hurt herself
And I laughed 'til I cried

She was always young at Heart
Kinda dumb and kinda smart
And I loved her so

And I surprised her with a Puppy
Kept me up all Christmas Eve
Some Years ago

And it would sure embarrass her
When I came home from workin' late
'Cause I would know

That she'd been sittin' there and cryin'
Over some sad and silly
Late, late Show

And Honey I miss you
And I'm being good
And I'd love to be with you
If only I could

She wrecked the Car and she was sad
And so afraid that I'd be mad
But what the heck

Though I pretended hard to be
Guess you could say she saw through me
And hugged my Neck

I came home unexpectedly
And caught her cryin' needlessly
In the middle of the day

And it was in the early Spring
When Flowers bloom and Robins sing
She went away

And Honey I miss you
And I'm being good


I'd love to be with you
If only I could


One day while I was not at Home
While she was there and all alone
The Angels came

Now all I have is Memories
Of Honey and I wake up Nights
And call her Name

Now my Life's an empty Stage
Where Honey lived and Honey played
And the Love grew up

And a small Cloud passes overhead
And cries down on the Flowerbed
That Honey loved

And see the Tree how big it's grown
But Friend, it hasn't been too long
It wasn't big

And I laughed at her and she got mad
The first day that she planted it
Was just a Twig


255 posted on 03/30/2005 11:19:07 AM PST by Socratic (Ignorant and free we will never be. - T. Jefferson (paraphrase))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 159 | View Replies]

To: biblewonk

Slayer makes Metallica look like school boys.

Get these in this order:

1. Reign in Blood
2. Seasons of the Abyss
3. South of Heaven
4. Hell Awaits
5. Decade of Agression
6. GHUA
7. Divine Intervention
8. Dialobous
9. Live Undead
10. Show no Mercey

Slayer is Pro-America - Pro Rush - If you listen to South of Heaven, there is a strong anti-abortion song.


256 posted on 03/30/2005 11:20:51 AM PST by chris1 ("Make the other guy die for his country" - George S. Patton Jr.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 242 | View Replies]

To: Dante3
A guy I know said that there is nothing like the song "In heaven there is no beer, that's why we drink it here" to cheer him up.

Did he go to Michigan Tech? That, and the "Engineer's Song" are pretty much the two (unofficial) school songs.

(And there are all kinds of fun "unsanctioned" verses to "In Heaven" too!)

257 posted on 03/30/2005 11:24:33 AM PST by Yossarian (Remember: NOT ALL HEART ATTACKS HAVE TRADITIONAL SYMPTOMS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: ABG(anybody but Gore)

The 80s certainly had peppy music. Who can forget "99 Luftballoons" or "Walking on Sunshine?" And yes, Prince beats Michael...heck, he could probably even beat UP Michael.


258 posted on 03/30/2005 11:25:15 AM PST by ncdrumr
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 238 | View Replies]

To: Loud Mime

THANKS! I just got me a PIANO for Christmas and I am gonna go learn that one when I get home tonight

I also want to learn one of the sweetest piano solos - the one in "Tuesday's Gone" (also by Skynyrd)


259 posted on 03/30/2005 11:30:27 AM PST by Mr. K ("All your base are belong to us" (gosh I miss that))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Hatteras

The Beatles' "I Feel Fine" for best opening guitar lick.

Best rock song of all time? Really tough without looking through a list but I think I might choose "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang - a song that would make just about anyone feel good.

I've done Sweet Home Alabama on karaoke nights and it is a great song to do - well paced, easy rhythm.


260 posted on 03/30/2005 11:33:43 AM PST by Tall_Texan (If you can think 180-degrees apart from reality, you might be a Democrat.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 221-240241-260261-280 ... 381-383 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson