While ARS would never reach the commercial success of Lynyrd Skynyrd or the Marshall Tucker Band, the group had a strong following in the south and charted a number of hits such as "Imaginary Lover," "I'm Not Going to Let it Bother Me Tonight," "Champagne Jam," "So Into You," and a remake of a Classics IV hit, "Spooky."
The band also influenced a number of rock and country artists, notably Travis Tritt, who recorded a cover of the ARS songs, "Back Up Against the Wall" and "Homesick." The group Shudder to Think covered "So Into You."
The Ballad Of Lois Malone
Atlanta Rhythm Section Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I knew this ol' gal, down in south Alabama
She was a sight to behold
She drank like a fish, and cussed like a sailor
She was a hell-raisin' soul
Everyone knew Lois, wild Lois
Lois could show you a time (aw what a time)
Oh the good people said, she was not a Christian
She was footloose and fancy free
She was not a lady, but she was a woman
And that's all that mattered to me
Everyone knew Lois, wild-wild Lois
Lois could show you a time (Lawd what a time)
I miss her sometimes, even though she was crazy (ol' girl)
She was good for my mind (yes she was)
She called me "baby"... all night long!
Proud to have known... Lois Malone!
Last week I ran into, an ol' drinkin' buddy
We swapped a story or two
We drank one to a town, down in south Alabama
One to an ol' gal we knew
I said... here's one to Lois, wild Lois
Here's one to all her kind... Lois Malone!
(You know yours and I know mine!)
She called me "baby"... all night long!
I was proud to have known... Lois Malone!
The Ballad of Lois Malone is a song by Atlanta Rhythm Section that tells the story of a woman named Lois Malone from south Alabama, who was a wild, flamboyant and free-spirited soul. The singer describes Lois as a woman who drank like a fish, cussed like a sailor, and was a hell-raiser. Despite her wild ways, the singer cherished Lois and her unapologetic way of living. Lois was a woman who was not bound by societal norms of what it meant to be a Christian, a lady or a woman, and that made her unique and attractive in the singer's eyes. The song is a nostalgic tribute to the wild and free-spirited people who make life more exciting.
Line by Line Meaning
I knew this ol' gal, down in south Alabama
I was acquainted with a woman from southern Alabama
She was a sight to behold
She was very attractive
She drank like a fish, and cussed like a sailor
She drank a lot and used profanity often
She was a hell-raisin' soul
She was a wild and rebellious person
Everyone knew Lois, wild Lois
The woman was well-known and her wild behavior was common knowledge
Lois could show you a time (aw what a time)
Lois knew how to have fun and could entertain a person
Oh the good people said, she was not a Christian
Some people in the community judged her for not conforming to their religious beliefs
She was footloose and fancy free
She had a carefree and uninhibited attitude
She was not a lady, but she was a woman
She did not conform to traditional expectations of how a woman should behave
And that's all that mattered to me
The artist did not judge her for her behavior and accepted her as she was
I miss her sometimes, even though she was crazy (ol' girl)
The singer has fond memories of the woman, despite her wild behavior
She was good for my mind (yes she was)
She had a positive impact on the artist's mental well-being
She called me 'baby'... all night long!
She showed the singer affection and made them feel special
Proud to have known... Lois Malone!
The singer feels fortunate to have known the woman and has respect for her
Last week I ran into, an ol' drinkin' buddy
Recently, the singer met up with an old friend who they used to drink with
We swapped a story or two
The friends shared some memories and talked about their experiences
We drank one to a town, down in south Alabama
The friends reminisced about a town they used to frequent in southern Alabama
One to an ol' gal we knew
They drank to the memory of the woman they both knew
I said... here's one to Lois, wild Lois
The singer made a toast to the woman they were remembering
Here's one to all her kind... Lois Malone!
The artist has respect for all women who live freely and unapologetically like Lois did
(You know yours and I know mine!)
The artist acknowledges that everyone has their own experiences and perspectives
Contributed by Riley W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joe Blo
on Indigo Passion
I think the 4th line should read: "And all of the HUES in between."
love.