It was written after one of the band's members got drunk and wrecked..he survived but it woke them all up a little..the first anti alcohol, anti drug rock song I ever heard
I think it was Gary Rossington. He had just bought a new car and Dean Kilpatrick the band s manager was in the passenger seat. They hit a tree and it messed them up pretty bad. I think this was around Labor Day weekend 1976. This was a little more than a year before the plane crash.
Certainly a very poignant song to those drug/alcohol addled times when this song came out. Another classic anti-drug song came out in 1968, (well before this) called "Pusher" by a group called Steppenwolf. Curtis Mayfield did a song called 'Pusherman', but that song wasn't an anti-drug song, but rather a tale of life in the ghetto.
Yes Harri, nailed it. Ronnie was talking at all of them..But, in particular written to band member Gary Rossington who smashed his Ford Torino into an Oak tree . Ronnie gave the moniker " Prince Charming" to Gary.. Great review..indeed on sad for the plane crash...
@@tommyslim Artimus too, he survived the crash and getting shot by a farmer who must have thought he was a Zombie (at least a blood soaked hippie) on his land. But your right , the irony of the everything Skynyrd. Heck, even Jo Jo Billingsley not taking the plane after Ronnie said your coming with us. A voice in her head screamed at her to " wait" while she was talking to him on the phone, then that night she dreamed in vivid color of the crash. The next night the plane crashed. Sad thing is we will never know how Skynyrd's music would have progressed without Ronnie.
This song is about Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington, who bought a new car, got drunk, and crashed it into a tree, then a house. The band was supposed to start a tour in a few days, but had to postpone it because of Rossington's injuries. Lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Allen Collins wrote this song cuz they were angry with Rossington, whose drug and alcohol problems were affecting the band.
A car crash was the muse for this song being written; however, it was released 3 days before the fatal plane crash that killed half the band (minus the car crash victim).
Rumor has it that Ronnie VanZant penned this song after guitarist Gary Rossington wrecked his car into a tree. Skynrd also had another song that warns of the dangers of drugs and alcohol, it's called "The Needle and the Spoon".
It was written about guitarist Gary Rossington who got messed up on pills and alcohol and wrecked his brand new car and caused the band to have to delay the start of a new tour.
I was going to tell you this song is about Gary Rossington wrecking his car, but I see below the good subscribers have told the story! But there's just not a bad Lynyrd Skynyrd song, and this one is one of my favorites. And the song writing and instrumentation is just phenomenal.
In case nobody mentioned it, the original cover for this LP has flames 🔥 engulfing the band as you can see in this picture. After the horrible plane crash they took the flames out of the picture. At least that’s what I remember…
I never before thought of the back up singers,titled The Honketts,leslie Hawkins,Cassie Gains,and Jo-jo Bilensly as being the angles one hears as they are dying or the angles of death as you refred to them.thank you for that insight. I never thought that, but now it makes sense.that band was so deep. Watch the live 1977 video of Winter land concert to trully apriciate the guitar work. Song is directed towards the lead guitar player Gary Rossington.
The songs about themselves, they were all starting families and it was time to clean up their act. I saw them for the third time in summer of 77. Album, Street Survivor, came out 10-17-1977 plane crash 10-20-1977. R.I.P.
Prince Charming is guitarist Gary Rossington! The album this song was on and this song as a single were released just days before the plane crash that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant,guitarist Steve Gaines and backing singer Cassie Gaines among others
The 3 guitar attack in this song is amazing. Rossington with the slinky main section , Gaines and Collins with the dueling solos at the end. Fantastic.
Can't be enough said about the original band can't you just can't do it impossible but okay Blackfoot Blackfoot here the song is called Fox Chase Fox Chase is the song Blackfoot did it starts out a little slow but it's going to kick your ass
Got to see them the summer of 1977 at Willie's Picnic in Tulsa, OK before the plane crash that fall. Great show, hotter than heck but was a fun concert with Waylon, Willie, Asleep At The Wheel and a few others. This song was kinda premonition of the plane thing too but yeah, drugs and alcohol will eventually do you in if you don't get rid of your demons. Also alcohol gets the name "spirits" too, just putting that out there and yes, it happens, negative attachments to your body.
Excellent song, one of my favorites! You need to try out Poison Whiskey, Needle And The Spoon & Whiskey Rocka Roller...and those backup singers are The Honkettes...
You're correct in this song being prophetic (but not how Ronnie intended). The album it's on, "Street Survivors" ~ was the last album the band made before the horrific plane crash that took the lives of frontman, Ronnie Van Zant & brother and sister Steve (guitarist) & Cassie (backup vocalist) Gaines. Also, when the album was first released, the cover had fire behind the band but changed it after the crash.
@@dimedraweriv258 Rossington plays the intro with all the controlled feedback and some of the solos with his Les Paul. Gaines plays the other solos with his Strat. Collins is in there too with his Firebird in the dnd solo. All fine guitarists snd all different too
@@flyingburritobro68 Cool info dude thanks. I know Gary didn't typically get to showcase as much as Allen so I'm glad he did on this track , especially seeing it's basically about him.
Harri you have excellent intuition and analysis of music in all genres. It is always a pleasure viewing your reactions. This song from the last album prior to their plane crash makes a powerful statement. There are a few documentaries regarding LS and the plane crash. I think you would enjoy (perhaps not exactly the right word) the insights into their music, motivations and the contributions of each individual member.
One of the best ever. They are talking about the Angel of Death. I remember hearing the news on the radio about the plane crash that took most of them.
Back then, the people you hung out with were all picking their roads. Each year it became more noticeable, who was on a positive path and who was barreling down a destructive path. It made you scared for those friends, sometimes their road ended in death: car wrecks, accidental overdoses. prison or suicide. I read where Ronnie was trying to reach Gary. Gary's guitar work was epic and he co-wrote some songs with Ronnie. It must have been very hard to watch Gary destroying himself and his talent.
HIGH Harri...... Another great band I've seen live doing a classic tune. Waiting to hear you do....Bob Dylan - "It's Alright Ma, I'm Only Bleeding". It will change your views on life.
Oh yeah I grew up on this as a kid you know the original stuff at the original time you know I was there as a kid but I was there the tribute tour everybody knows the story oh well but there's nobody like a Mr Ronnie and
Oh you know you can go on about Skynyrd all day and you know definitely one of my all-time favorites hello but something that nobody talks about Blackfoot Blackfoot that was Ricky Matlock ban well you know I mean Fox f o x Chase that's the name of the song and the group is Blackfoot brother that'll rock your world now it starts out a little slow brother but give it some time
I actually talked to Ronnie Van Zant's daughter Melody it was online but you know she answered my questions pretty quickly and she was very interesting and you know I remember what was said put it that way
Haven’t heard this one in a while, I saw them live once good show!! Lately been listening to Captain Beyond a band I highly recommend, they sort of remind me of Southern Rock
Great Analysis! You are spot on. Gary Rossington was drunk and on ludes when he crashed his Ford Torino. Ronnie Van Zant, The lead singer, song writer and front man realized not only was Gary headed in the wrong direction but the entire band was and this song was a wake up call for them. Unfortunately the plane crash happened only a few days after this album was released!
February 3, 1959: The Day the Music Died. Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper died in a small plane crash in Iowa. Waylon Jennings gave up his seat on the plane to the Bopper, who was sick, and Tommy Allsup lost the seat to Valens on a coin flip.
THIS ALBUM ( STREET SURVIVORS ) WAS THE SAME YEAR AS THAT TRAGIC HORRIFIC PLANE CRASH :( HARRI ( 77 ) THAT FIRE IN THE BACKGROUND ON THE ALBUM MADE IT A COLLECTOR'S EDITION.
One from the road best live album ever made. Gaines was only in the band a few months. Their Is about 4 versions of T FOR TEXAS LIVE IN VIDEO U WAS WATCH ALL IT. THE SHOW HAS 2 GUEST LEAD GUITARS OB STAGE WITH THEM THEY ALL DO LEAD GUITARS SOLOS AMAZING. U TELL ME WINS THE JAM OFF UTS COLLINS YOUR MAN IN THE RED! HE IS ONLY 25 WHEN HE GOTT HURT. HE IS THE YOUNGEST OF THE POWER TRIO VAN ZANT ROSSINGTON & COLLIONS
Many bands and individual artists made anti-drug songs that were crap. It's like they only made them in a spirit of "Don't do drugs, kids" *wink*. This song would be good with any set of lyrics. But these lyrics show an understanding and an earnestness not present in other "message" songs.
when this song was out there was so many teens getting drugs quaylude and overdoseing was crushing one pill and putting it in a spoon watering it down then warming with a lighter then using a syringe to run it into blood vessels getting drunk and driving so many deaths from it
It was written after one of the band's members got drunk and wrecked..he survived but it woke them all up a little..the first anti alcohol, anti drug rock song I ever heard
Gary Rossington
Kicks by Paul Revere and the Raiders, I've seen the needle and the damage done by Neil Young. Many others I'm certain.
I think it was Gary Rossington. He had just bought a new car and Dean Kilpatrick the band s manager was in the passenger seat. They hit a tree and it messed them up pretty bad. I think this was around Labor Day weekend 1976. This was a little more than a year before the plane crash.
Certainly a very poignant song to those drug/alcohol addled times when this song came out. Another classic anti-drug song came out in 1968, (well before this) called "Pusher" by a group called Steppenwolf. Curtis Mayfield did a song called 'Pusherman', but that song wasn't an anti-drug song, but rather a tale of life in the ghetto.
The guitar work is a masterpiece...
Great song from a brilliant band
Yes Harri, nailed it. Ronnie was talking at all of them..But, in particular written to band member Gary Rossington who smashed his Ford Torino into an Oak tree . Ronnie gave the moniker " Prince Charming" to Gary.. Great review..indeed on sad for the plane crash...
It's kind of ironic that Gary is the only one left.
@@tommyslim Artimus too, he survived the crash and getting shot by a farmer who must have thought he was a Zombie (at least a blood soaked hippie) on his land. But your right , the irony of the everything Skynyrd. Heck, even Jo Jo Billingsley not taking the plane after Ronnie said your coming with us. A voice in her head screamed at her to " wait" while she was talking to him on the phone, then that night she dreamed in vivid color of the crash. The next night the plane crashed. Sad thing is we will never know how Skynyrd's music would have progressed without Ronnie.
This song is about Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington, who bought a new car, got drunk, and crashed it into a tree, then a house. The band was supposed to start a tour in a few days, but had to postpone it because of Rossington's injuries.
Lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Allen Collins wrote this song cuz they were angry with Rossington, whose drug and alcohol problems were affecting the band.
This album Street survivors was released on Oct 17 1977, the plane crashed Oct 20 1977. RIP BEST BAND EVER!!! I saw them in ‘76 in Chicago
"Oak tree, you're in my way.." Classic
A car crash was the muse for this song being written; however, it was released 3 days before the fatal plane crash that killed half the band (minus the car crash victim).
That Smell" is my favorite Skynyrd song, Harri. No shortage of awesome guitarists in Lynyrd Skynyrd during their heyday!
Rumor has it that Ronnie VanZant penned this song after guitarist Gary Rossington wrecked his car into a tree. Skynrd also had another song that warns of the dangers of drugs and alcohol, it's called "The Needle and the Spoon".
"Can't speak a word, when you're full o ludes" Knew a lot of folks like that in the 70s...
You are correct. Never looked at the backup singers from that perspective......well done!
It was written about guitarist Gary Rossington who got messed up on pills and alcohol and wrecked his brand new car and caused the band to have to delay the start of a new tour.
Ironically, Rossington was the last original member to pass away
That Smell and The Needle and the Spoon were both 1970's interventions done Skynyrd style!
You forgot "Wino."
I was going to tell you this song is about Gary Rossington wrecking his car, but I see below the good subscribers have told the story! But there's just not a bad Lynyrd Skynyrd song, and this one is one of my favorites. And the song writing and instrumentation is just phenomenal.
In case nobody mentioned it, the original cover for this LP has flames 🔥 engulfing
the band as you can see in this picture. After the horrible plane crash they took the
flames out of the picture. At least that’s what I remember…
I never before thought of the back up singers,titled The Honketts,leslie Hawkins,Cassie Gains,and Jo-jo Bilensly as being the angles one hears as they are dying or the angles of death as you refred to them.thank you for that insight.
I never thought that, but now it makes sense.that band was so deep.
Watch the live 1977 video of Winter land concert to trully apriciate the guitar work.
Song is directed towards the lead guitar player Gary Rossington.
I used to be that way. One day I woke up and said. No more. I walked away and never looked back. Peace...
We lost too much in 1977 !
I was 17 when this song came out. Loved it. LS turned me on to Southern Rock.
The songs about themselves, they were all starting families and it was time to clean up their act. I saw them for the third time in summer of 77. Album, Street Survivor, came out 10-17-1977 plane crash 10-20-1977. R.I.P.
the guitar is so good in this song
Prince Charming is guitarist Gary Rossington! The album this song was on and this song as a single were released just days before the plane crash that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant,guitarist Steve Gaines and backing singer Cassie Gaines among others
Lynrnd Skynyrd had some great songs
Might be my favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd song love you
The 3 guitar attack in this song is amazing. Rossington with the slinky main section , Gaines and Collins with the dueling solos at the end. Fantastic.
Can't be enough said about the original band can't you just can't do it impossible but okay Blackfoot Blackfoot here the song is called Fox Chase Fox Chase is the song Blackfoot did it starts out a little slow but it's going to kick your ass
Got to see them the summer of 1977 at Willie's Picnic in Tulsa, OK before the plane crash that fall. Great show, hotter than heck but was a fun concert with Waylon, Willie, Asleep At The Wheel and a few others. This song was kinda premonition of the plane thing too but yeah, drugs and alcohol will eventually do you in if you don't get rid of your demons. Also alcohol gets the name "spirits" too, just putting that out there and yes, it happens, negative attachments to your body.
Must've been a hellavu show...wow
One of my most favorite singer song writers Mr Ronnie Van Zant.He was referring to a band mate Gary Rossington.
As far as I'm concerned it's one of there best songs.
Excellent song, one of my favorites! You need to try out Poison Whiskey, Needle And The Spoon & Whiskey Rocka Roller...and those backup singers are The Honkettes...
What a tragedy when this plane crash took out these southern rockers. Their hearts were in the right places ♥
I still have my ticket
Your life experience, (wisdom). Is certainly shining through. Your thoughts on this song, truly hit the spot. Keep up the good work.
You're correct in this song being prophetic (but not how Ronnie intended). The album it's on, "Street Survivors" ~ was the last album the band made before the horrific plane crash that took the lives of frontman, Ronnie Van Zant & brother and sister Steve (guitarist) & Cassie (backup vocalist) Gaines. Also, when the album was first released, the cover had fire behind the band but changed it after the crash.
This whole album - "Street Survivors" - is solid gold. Pick any song. I dare you!
Check out What's Your Name by them next !
Skynyrd's last album was outstanding. They kept getting better. Gary Rossington's squeaky guitar gets me.
Was it Rossington or Collins?
@@dimedraweriv258 Rossington plays the intro with all the controlled feedback and some of the solos with his Les Paul. Gaines plays the other solos with his Strat. Collins is in there too with his Firebird in the dnd solo. All fine guitarists snd all different too
@@flyingburritobro68 Cool info dude thanks. I know Gary didn't typically get to showcase as much as Allen so I'm glad he did on this track , especially seeing it's basically about him.
Great song. Thanks for the reaction.
Hey man, you have amazing powers of observation. I never heard a more spot on analysis of a reactor reacting to a first listening of a song. Nice! 👍
Best opening lines in rock music
Harri you have excellent intuition and analysis of music in all genres. It is always a pleasure viewing your reactions. This song from the last album prior to their plane crash makes a powerful statement. There are a few documentaries regarding LS and the plane crash. I think you would enjoy (perhaps not exactly the right word) the insights into their music, motivations and the contributions of each individual member.
Thanks Harri. My fav Lynyrd Skynyrd song.
Great reaction. Glad you stumbled across it.
Quaaludes AKA 'ludes were the American equivalent of Mandrax. They haven't been available since the early 80's.
Favorite L S song!
Check out Saturday Night Special by Lynyrd Skynyrd...anti gun/violence
I love that song.
Oh yeah, qualuudes. Saw them before they died. They came back on twice. great show.
RIP prince charming.
Just saw their concert last Sat.
One of the best ever. They are talking about the Angel of Death. I remember hearing the news on the radio about the plane crash that took most of them.
Great reaction
Great reaction to one of the best ever.
One of the lines in another song is” I’ve drank enough to float a battleship around”…..
HELLO 🕺💃❤️😻👍👍👍👍👍
Excellent as usual Harri!
Well done sir
Back then, the people you hung out with were all picking their roads. Each year it became more noticeable, who was on a positive path and who was barreling down a destructive path. It made you scared for those friends, sometimes their road ended in death: car wrecks, accidental overdoses. prison or suicide. I read where Ronnie was trying to reach Gary. Gary's guitar work was epic and he co-wrote some songs with Ronnie. It must have been very hard to watch Gary destroying himself and his talent.
Harri ..check out everything from this band .. you won't be disappointed
Talkin about Qualudes we would take back in the 70's...serious downer...very popular back in my day..when he said 'ludes...
BTW, That Album Cover was Revised Immediately after the Crash, the Flaming Background was taken Out.
One of Jacksonville Fl. finest bands from back in the day.
The guitars remind me of birds swirling in the sky.
HIGH Harri...... Another great band I've seen live doing a classic tune. Waiting to hear you do....Bob Dylan - "It's Alright Ma, I'm Only Bleeding". It will change your views on life.
Oh yeah I grew up on this as a kid you know the original stuff at the original time you know I was there as a kid but I was there the tribute tour everybody knows the story oh well but there's nobody like a Mr Ronnie and
Oh you know you can go on about Skynyrd all day and you know definitely one of my all-time favorites hello but something that nobody talks about Blackfoot Blackfoot that was Ricky Matlock ban well you know I mean Fox f o x Chase that's the name of the song and the group is Blackfoot brother that'll rock your world now it starts out a little slow brother but give it some time
I actually talked to Ronnie Van Zant's daughter Melody it was online but you know she answered my questions pretty quickly and she was very interesting and you know I remember what was said put it that way
Haven’t heard this one in a while, I saw them live once good show!! Lately been listening to Captain Beyond a band I highly recommend, they sort of remind me of Southern Rock
The ludes aka 714s was also the badge number for Dragnet. In case it ever comes up.
Great Analysis! You are spot on. Gary Rossington was drunk and on ludes when he crashed his Ford Torino. Ronnie Van Zant, The lead singer, song writer and front man realized not only was Gary headed in the wrong direction but the entire band was and this song was a wake up call for them. Unfortunately the plane crash happened only a few days after this album was released!
Think you got the car wrong.
Four thumbs up!!!!
Peace Harri!
~Addiction is Complicated!?
Ya/Jah..back to that 1.
Check out Niel Young's anti drug song, "Needle And The Damage Done", written after a bandmate ODed. Really heartfelt.
Maybe one of their top 3 songs…especially in concert.
Harri you need to listen to Gimmie back my bullets.Another banger from this iconic American rock band! ✌🏻
NOTE, that album cover with the fire back ground was taking off the shelves and replaced with a black background after the plane crash.
February 3, 1959: The Day the Music Died. Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper died in a small plane crash in Iowa. Waylon Jennings gave up his seat on the plane to the Bopper, who was sick, and Tommy Allsup lost the seat to Valens on a coin flip.
Really enjoy the way you dive into the details of songs.
Lyrics
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 that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Ooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you
Angel of darkness is upon you
Stuck a needle in your arm
So take another toke, have a blow for your nose
And one more drink fool, will drown you
Ooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
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 all right come tomorrow
But tomorrow might not be here for you
Ooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Ooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you
Hey, you're a fool, you
Go on 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 that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Ooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you
Ooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Ooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you
Hey, you're a fool, you
Go on stick those needles in your arm
You're just a fool, just a fool, just a fool
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Allen Collins / Ronnie Van Zant
That Smell lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
One more from the road.
Spot on young man 👍
seen them in 77 in greenville sc there last show it was them and Nazareth there were only about 4000 people there but they both rock the house aloha
Eric Burton&war-spill the wine
HELLO TO EVERYONE 🇷🇺 FROM RUSSIA ❤️ WITH LOVE MY FAVORITE FRIEND 😍
You gotta hear Free Bird live at Oakland Collisium. It will blow your mind.
THIS ALBUM ( STREET SURVIVORS ) WAS THE SAME YEAR AS THAT TRAGIC HORRIFIC PLANE CRASH :( HARRI ( 77 ) THAT FIRE IN THE BACKGROUND ON THE ALBUM MADE IT A COLLECTOR'S EDITION.
Ironically the song was primarily for Gary Rossington, the only current living member. Great song and message.
Yep, drinkin'/druggin' and drivin' don't mix. I don't think you reacted to The Ballad Of Curtis Lowe, yet. It's probably my favorite of theirs.
My favourite song by these guys. Two other great songs about addiction: hotel California by the eagles, and master of puppets by Metallica
Tony power-don't nobody move,this is a heist
Another great song of of theres A song for the bad man
Check out the VH1 behind the music about Skynyrd it is a great watch tells the story of the band before and after the accident.
One from the road best live album ever made. Gaines was only in the band a few months. Their Is about 4 versions of T FOR TEXAS LIVE IN VIDEO U WAS WATCH ALL IT. THE SHOW HAS 2 GUEST LEAD GUITARS OB STAGE WITH THEM THEY ALL DO LEAD GUITARS SOLOS AMAZING. U TELL ME WINS THE JAM OFF UTS COLLINS YOUR MAN IN THE RED! HE IS ONLY 25 WHEN HE GOTT HURT. HE IS THE YOUNGEST OF THE POWER TRIO VAN ZANT ROSSINGTON & COLLIONS
😎👍
They released the album without the fire, after the plane crash
This song was aimed at Gary. I think.
So relivent today as much or more than when I grew up listening to it.
Sugarloaf-don't call us,we'll call you
I can't tell if the vibe of the backround vocals is foreboding or angelic, but it is a key element.
Very particular.
The lead guitarist Gary Rossington wrecked his car whilst under the influence.
Listen to the Ballad of Curtis Lowe it's a good one!
Ritchie Valens is who you were thinking of. Labamba
Many bands and individual artists made anti-drug songs that were crap. It's like they only made them in a spirit of "Don't do drugs, kids" *wink*.
This song would be good with any set of lyrics. But these lyrics show an understanding and an earnestness not present in other "message" songs.
when this song was out there was so many teens getting drugs quaylude and overdoseing was crushing one pill and putting it in a spoon watering it down then warming with a lighter then using a syringe to run it into blood vessels getting drunk and driving so many deaths from it
Great anti drug song, in a non-aggression way
really you think anyone stopped doing drugs because of this song- more likely partying to this song back in the day