Released as a single in late 1974, Free Bird became the band's second Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1975, where it peaked at #19. A live version of the song also reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1977, peaking at #38.
It is used as a finale by Lynyrd Skynyrd during their live performances, and it is their longest song.
The lyrical portion of the song was written early in the group's history. Roadie Billy Powell was discovered as a keyboardist for the band when he played the intro piece to "Free Bird" at a high school prom. Lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant noted his talent and invited him to join.
"If I leave here tomorrow would you still remember me?" was asked of Allen Collins by his girlfriend. Collins jotted the question down and it eventually became the opening line of "Free Bird".
"Free Bird" is included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll and at number 193 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2009, it was named the 26th best hard rock song of all time by VH1.
Free Bird
Lynyrd Skynyrd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on, now
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see
But if I stay here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same
And this bird you cannot change
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot change
Lord knows I can't change
Bye-bye, baby, it's been a sweet love, yeah-yeah
Though this feeling I can't change
But, please, don't take it so badly
'Cause Lord knows I'm to blame
But, if I stay here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot change
Lord knows I can't change
Lord, help me, I can't change
Lord, I can't change
Won't you fly high, free bird, yeah
The lyrics to Lynyrd Skynyrd's song "Free Bird" are believed to be about the freedom and longing for exploration and new experiences. The song begins with the lines, "If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?" suggesting the singer's desire to leave and go on a new adventure. Throughout the song, the lyrics hint at the idea of leaving behind familiar and comfortable surroundings to explore new places.
The chorus, "I'm as free as a bird now, and this bird you cannot change," repeats throughout the song and appears to be a metaphor for personal freedom and the impossibility of changing one's core identity. The lyrics also suggest a sense of regret, with the singer acknowledging his responsibility for the changes in his life but not being able to change himself.
The final verse of the song, "Won't you fly high, free bird," seems to symbolize a release and acceptance of one's own limitations and surrendering to one's own destiny. The song ultimately seems to be about the tension between a desire for personal freedom and the inevitability of change and growth.
Line by Line Meaning
If I leave here tomorrow
If I had to leave today for other places that are calling me
Would you still remember me?
Would you still recall my memories years from now?
For I must be traveling on now
Because I have paths to explore and sights to see
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see
Because there are so many places I want to explore
But if I stay here with you, girl
If I decided to stay with you
Things just couldn't be the same
Our relationship would not stay the way it is
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
Because I feel as free as a bird can be
And this bird you cannot change
My freedom is what makes me unique, and nobody can take it away
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Musical Interlude
And the bird you cannot change
I'm reminding you again that nobody can change me
And this bird, you cannot change
This is just to create a poetic effect
Lord knows, I can't change
This is who I am, and I can't be changed
Bye-bye baby, it's been sweet love, yeah, yeah
Goodbye, my dear, it's been a pleasure to love you
Though this feelin' I can't change
Despite the love, I can't deny the pull of adventure calling me
But please don't take it so badly
Please don't be hurt or angry by my decision
'Cause Lord knows, I'm to blame
I acknowledge the role I play in this situation
But if I stay here with you, girl
If I decided to stay with you
Things just couldn't be the same
Our relationship would have to change
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
My sense of freedom cannot be dimmed
And this bird you cannot change
I'm just making sure you understand my state of mind
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Musical Interlude
And the bird you cannot change
I'm repeating it to create an effect
And this bird, you cannot change
It's just the same with the other line as it creates a poetic effect
Lord knows, I can't change
I refuse to be changed or confined
Lord help me, I can't change
I'm asking for higher power to guide me
Lord, I can't change
I can't be somebody that I'm not
Won't you fly high, free bird, yeah
Calling to the bird to spread its wings and fly freely
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Allen Collins, Ronnie Van Zant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@benharmonics
0:00 intro, part 1
0:35 intro, part 2
1:08 verse 1
1:41 chorus 1
2:36 bridge
3:08 verse 2
3:41 chorus 2
4:42 epicness begins
4:55 guitar solo, part 1.1
5:09 guitar solo, part 1.2
5:22 guitar solo, part 1.3
5:35 guitar solo, part 1.4
5:47 guitar solo, part 1.5
6:00 guitar solo, part 1.6
6:06 guitar solo, part 2.1
6:19 guitar solo, part 2.2
6:32 guitar solo, part 2.3
6:45 guitar solo, part 2.4
6:57 guitar solo, part 2.5
7:10 guitar solo, part 2.6
7:22 guitar solo, part 3.1
7:35 guitar solo, part 3.2
7:47 guitar solo, part 3.3
8:00 guitar solo, part 3.4
8:13 guitar solo, part 4.1
8:26 guitar solo, part 4.2
8:39 guitar solo, part 4.3
8:52 guitar solo, part 4.4
9:05 guitar solo, part 4.5 (cut off by the fadeout)
@logs1051
Lyrics:
If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on now
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see
But if I stay here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oh, oh, oh, oh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird, you cannot change
Lord knows, I can't change
Bye-bye baby, it's been sweet love, yeah, yeah
Though this feelin' I can't change
But please don't take it so badly
'Cause Lord knows, I'm to blame
But if I stay here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oh, oh, oh, oh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird, you cannot change
Lord knows, I can't change
Lord help me, I can't change
Lord, I can't change
Won't you fly high, free bird, yeah
@_goku_games_9194
lyrics/letra:
If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on now
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see
But if I stay here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oh, oh, oh, oh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird, you cannot change
Lord knows, I can't change
Bye-bye baby, it's been sweet love, yeah, yeah
Though this feelin' I can't change
But please don't take it so badly
'Cause Lord knows, I'm to blame
But if I stay here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oh, oh, oh, oh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird, you cannot change
Lord knows, I can't change
Lord help me, I can't change
Lord, I can't change
Won't you fly high, free bird, yeah
@seadanyalos3379
If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on now
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see
But if I stay here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oh, oh, oh, oh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird, you cannot change
Lord knows, I can't change
Bye-bye baby, it's been sweet love, yeah, yeah
Though this feelin' I can't change
But please don't take it so badly
'Cause Lord knows, I'm to blame
But if I stay here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oh, oh, oh, oh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird, you cannot change
Lord knows, I can't change
Lord help me, I can't change
Lord, I can't change
Won't you fly high, free bird, yeah
@LPJack02
RIP the ten members of Lynyrd Skynyrd
Ronnie Van Zant (January 15, 1948 – October 20, 1977), aged 29
Cassie Gaines (January 9, 1948 – October 20, 1977), aged 29
Steve Gaines (September 14, 1949 – October 20, 1977), aged 28
Larry Junstrom (June 22, 1949 – October 5, 2019), aged 70
Ed King (September 14, 1949 – August 22, 2018), aged 68
Bob Burns (November 24, 1950 – April 3, 2015), aged 64
Gary Rossington (December 4, 1951 – March 5, 2023), aged 71
Leon Wilkeson (April 2, 1952 – July 27, 2001), aged 49
Billy Powell (June 3, 1952 – January 28, 2009), aged 56
Allen Collins (July 19, 1952 – January 23, 1990), aged 37
You will always be remembered as legends.
@bad_decisions9014
If you play Free Bird at 11:55:05PM on New Years Eve, you'll go into the new year blasting the best guitar solo of all time
@Theblueshirtguy69
Thank you soo much
@Mogolol
I will do it for you, thanks for this info
@javalmoria8284
ill do it !
@smuglife64gaming21
Yes
@In-Limbo
I trust in you
@Angstbringer18B
All crimes committed during the Free Bird solo are hereby forgiven.
@hollow4592
What about Geneva convention violations
@hollow4592
Asking for a friend
@Angstbringer18B
@@hollow4592 Depends on if the violation occured before during or after the Free Bird solo.