Along with de rigeur cautionary anti-drug songs and tales of groupie encounters such as "That Smell" and "What's Your Name" respectively, Van Zant also deals with regional pride and arrogant pop stars in "Sweet Home Alabama," and gun control in the extremely-gutsy-for-the-time "Saturday Night Special." Motherhood is also embraced, in the even gutsier "Simple Man." The album includes Skynyrd's joyous cover of J. J. Cale's "Call Me the Breeze," plus of course the Southern rock anthem "Free Bird." All in all there's not a dud in the bunch.
Sweet Home Alabama
Lynyrd Skynyrd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Turn it up)
Big wheels keep on turning
Carry me home to see my kin
Singing songs about the Southland
I miss Alabamy once again and I think it's a sin, yes
Well, I heard Mister Young sing about her (southern man)
Well, I heard ol' Neil put her down
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
A southern man don't need him around, anyhow
Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you
In Birmingham they love the Governor, boo, boo, boo
Now we all did what we could do
Now Watergate does not bother me
Does your conscience bother you? Tell the truth
Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you, here I come Alabama
(Oh oh oh, Alabama, oh oh oh, Alabama)
(Oh oh oh, Alabama, oh oh oh, Alabama)
Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers
And they've been known to pick a song or two (yes, they do)
Lord, they get me off so much
They pick me up when I'm feeling blue, now how 'bout you?
Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you
Sweet home Alabama, oh, sweet home, baby
Where the skies are so blue and the governor's true
Sweet home Alabama, Lordy
Lord, I'm coming home to you, yeah yeah
My, Montgomery's got the answer
The Lynyrd Skynyrd song "Sweet Home Alabama" is a classic rock hit, released in 1974. The song is often considered as an anthem for the southern United States. It starts with the catchy, "Big wheels keep on turning, carry me home to see my kin," an ode to the rural roots of Alabama. The song is loaded with pride for the southern states, and even has a nod to Neil Young's derogatory song, "Southern Man" in the line, "Well, I heard Mister Young sing about her (southern man), well, I heard ol' Neil put her down." This sparked a rivalry between Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd, causing many people to believe the song was a clapback to Young. However, Lynyrd Skynyrd's guitarist, Ed King, argued it was purely playful, stating that "Neil Young is a great guy."
Other political themes in the song include the governor of Alabama being praised as opposed to the protests happening around the country during the Watergate scandal. The line "Now Watergate does not bother me, does your conscience bother you? Tell the truth," invites people to take a stand on what they believe and stand up for their values.
The song is an homage to the Southern lifestyle, praising Muscle Shoals and its music heritage by naming the house band, The Swampers. It speaks to the Alabama sky being so blue and the comfort of going home to a place that is familiar and lovingly calls it Sweet Home Alabama. The song is an excellent embodiment of Southern pride many hold to this day and helped cement the band as one of the most significant southern rock bands of all time.
Line by Line Meaning
Big wheels keep on turning
Life keeps spinning and moving forward, and we have to move with it.
Carry me home to see my kin
Take me back to my family and roots, where I belong.
Singing songs about the Southland
We celebrate and honor the southern United States with our music and culture.
I miss Alabamy once again and I think it's a sin, yes
I long for Alabama and feel guilty for leaving, as if I’ve betrayed my home.
Well, I heard Mister Young sing about her (southern man)
I heard a song by Neil Young where he criticized southern culture and people.
Well, I heard ol' Neil put her down
Neil Young insulted and looked down on the South.
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
I hope Neil Young realizes that his opinions aren't necessarily the truth or the only perspective.
A southern man don't need him around, anyhow
Southern people don’t need Neil Young’s negativity or influence in their lives.
Sweet home Alabama
Alabama is a beloved and cherished home to me and many others.
Where the skies are so blue
The blue skies in Alabama are a symbol of beauty and hope.
Lord, I'm coming home to you
I’m coming back to Alabama because it’s where I feel most at home and at peace.
In Birmingham they love the Governor, boo, boo, boo
The people in Birmingham support and admire the Governor despite controversy, and this is their way of showing it.
Now we all did what we could do
We all did our best in a difficult situation or challenge.
Now Watergate does not bother me
I’m not affected or worried about the Watergate scandal that occurred in the early 70s.
Does your conscience bother you? Tell the truth
Do you feel guilty or ashamed of something you’ve done? Be honest and admit it.
Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers
Muscle Shoals, Alabama has a talented group of musicians, known as the Swampers, who are highly respected and appreciated.
And they've been known to pick a song or two (yes they do)
The Swampers are known for writing and playing great music.
Lord, they get me off so much
Their music lifts my spirits and makes me feel alive and happy.
They pick me up when I'm feeling blue, now how 'bout you?
Their music can have a positive effect on people and lift them up when they're feeling down. Do you feel the same way?
Sweet home Alabama, oh, sweet home, baby
Alabama is a comforting and welcoming place to me, like a home and a baby wrapped into one.
Where the skies are so blue and the governor's true
Alabama is a place where the sky is beautiful and the governor is trustworthy and honest.
My, Montgomery's got the answer
Montgomery has a solution or idea to a problem or question, and it’s worth considering.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Robert Rossington, Edward C. King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind