Premier Rock Forum

Not Young vs. Lynyrd

but

Song vs. Song, ideologies included. Music, message.

2 songs enter etc etc.

I'll go "Southern Man". Musically, it has this weird sort of stumbling-swing quality to it that I like, and it's got that semi-abrasive guitar riff to it that Neil came up for it that I love.

Message wise, I guess it's a little more coherent, and right on. Skynyrd sounds more whiny and defensive on "Sweet Home Alabama", but they're too vague on the reasons for their defense, I think. Like saying "we all did what we could do" to oppose Wallace; what exactly are they talking about, voting, marching, writing songs? I never really heard about Skynyrd being an activist band. Or asking if Young is bothered by his conscience. Why would he be for condemning lynchings? I guess they're referring to him unfairly stereotyping (in their minds) the South as completely in league with the Klan, but I personally don't get that from "Southern Man", and Skynyrd just isn't clear enough about what they mean, for me, anyway. Maybe the Skynyrd fans here know more.

Young.

I always thought that "Sweet Home Alabama" was more in response to "Alabama" than "Southern Man."

endofanera wrote:I always thought that "Sweet Home Alabama" was more in response to "Alabama" than "Southern Man."

Yeah but "Alabama" sucks.

Lonesome Bulldog wrote:

endofanera wrote:I always thought that "Sweet Home Alabama" was more in response to "Alabama" than "Southern Man."

Yeah but "Alabama" sucks.

apparently it was equally a response to both.

wiki wrote:There is also a semi-hidden vocal line in the second verse after the "Well, I heard Mr. Young sing about her" line (at approximately 0:50). In the left channel, you can hear the phrase "Southern Man" being sung lightly. This was producer Al Kooper doing a Neil Young impression and was just another incident of the band members messing around in the studio while being recorded. According to Leon Wilkeson, it was Al Kooper's idea to continue and echo the lines from "Southern Man" after each of Van Zant's lines. "Better...keep your head"..."Don't forget what your / good book says", etc. But Ronnie insisted that Kooper remove it not wanting to plagiarize or upset Young. Kooper left the one line barely audible in the left channel.

skynyrd's riff & first part of the verse sound like they're playing off of the riff & opening melody of young's alabama.

Southern Man is a good song, Sweet Home Alabama is like a Poison song

Lonesome Bulldog wrote:Yeah but "Alabama" sucks.

Wrong for the "your Cadillac has got a wheel in the ditch and a wheel on the track" line alone.

After spending a couple of months working in a rock club where the DJ would, utterly without fail, play either "Sweet Home Alabama" or "Stairway to Heaven" dot on the stroke of midnight, I will say Southern Man, despite the fact I can't really remember what it sounds like.

"Sweet Home Alabama" easily.