The style began to develop in the mid-1960s in England and the United States, as what one music critic called a "genre of rhythm'n'blues played by white European musicians". UK Bands such as The Animals, Cream and The Rolling Stones experimented with music from the older American bluesmen like Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Reed and Muddy Waters. While the early blues-rock bands "attempted to play long, involved improvisations which were commonplace on jazz records", by the 1970s, blues rock got heavier and more riff-based. By the "early '70s, the lines between blues-rock and hard rock were barely visible", as bands began recording rock-style albums. In the 1980s and 1990s, blues-rock bands returned to their bluesy roots, and some of these bands, such as the "Fabulous Thunderbirds and Stevie Ray Vaughan flirted with rock stardom."
Blues-rock can be characterized by bluesy improvisation, the 12-bar blues, extended boogie jams typically focused on the electric guitar player, and often a heavier, riff-oriented sound and feel to the songs than might be found in traditional Chicago-style blues. Blues rock bands "borrow[ed] the idea of an instrumental combo and loud amplification from rock & roll". It is also often played at a fast tempo, again distinguishing it from the blues.
The core of the blues rock sound is created by the electric guitar, bass guitar and drum kit. The electric guitar is usually amplified through a tube guitar amplifier or using an overdrive effect. Often two guitars are played in blues rock bands, one playing the accompaniment riffs and chords on rhythm guitar and one playing the melodic lines and solos of the lead guitar part. While 1950s-era blues bands would sometimes still use the upright bass, the blues rock bands of the 1960s used the electric bass, which was easier to amplify to loud volumes. Keyboard instruments such as the piano and Hammond organ are also occasionally used. As with the electric guitar, the sound of the Hammond organ is typically amplified with a tube amplifier, which gives a growling, "overdriven" sound quality to the instrument. Vocals also typically play a key role, although the vocals may be equal in importance or even subordinate to the lead guitar playing; as well, a number of blues-rock pieces are instrumental-only.
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 Iโve 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 donโt need Neil Youngโs 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
Iโm coming back to Alabama because itโs 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
Iโm 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 youโve 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 itโs worth considering.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Robert Rossington, Edward C. King
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jackspry9736
RIP the ten members of Lynyrd Skynyrd
Ronnie Van Zant (January 15, 1948 โ October 20, 1977), aged 29
Cassie Gaines (January 9, 1948 โ October 20, 1977), aged 29
Steve Gaines (September 14, 1949 โ October 20, 1977), aged 28
Larry Junstrom (June 22, 1949 โ October 5, 2019), aged 70
Ed King (September 14, 1949 โ August 22, 2018), aged 68
Bob Burns (November 24, 1950 โ April 3, 2015), aged 64
Gary Rossington (December 4, 1951 โ March 5, 2023), aged 71
Leon Wilkeson (April 2, 1952 โ July 27, 2001), aged 49
Billy Powell (June 3, 1952 โ January 28, 2009), aged 56
Allen Collins (July 19, 1952 โ January 23, 1990), aged 37
You will be remembered as legends.
@ussnewmexicobb40
2 types of comments here:
1. Deep, appreciative comments
2. Incest jokes
@Castilleta
1. Really true
2. I could only imagine Jeremy clarkson for how you wrote this comment
@LightDragon666
1- your analysis skills are inhuman
2- you have to be an inspector
@sh1eldo7
โ@@CastilletaMy genius, it's almost frightening
@antyrak7905
Jokes?
@UCMEY
jokes?
@HipsterShiningArmor
whoever runs this youtube channel is the real MVP for leaving the comment section up
@0banai_Igur0
Fr
@whodeserved
My sister died a few years ago, this was her favorite song. She was the the best wife I ever had โค
@petemujo
fuuuuuck