That Smell
Lynyrd Skynyrd Lyrics


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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

Yeah

Angel of darkness is upon you
Stuck a needle in your arm (you fool, you)
So take another toke, have a blow for your nose
One more drink, fool, would drown you (hell yeah)

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 alright come tomorrow
But tomorrow might not be here for you (yeah, you)

Ooh, that smell
Can't you smell that smell?
Ooh, that smell
The smell of death surrounds you

Oh, you a fool, you
Go on, stick them needles in your arm
Ooh, hoo-hoo-hoo
I know, I been there before
(You fool)
(Fool)

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 (hell yeah)

Ooh, that smell
Can't you smell that smell?
Ooh, that smell
The smell of death surrounds you
Ooh, that smell (whoa)
Can't you smell that smell?
Ooh, that smell
The smell of death surrounds you

Oh, you a fool, you
Go on, stick those needles in your arm
You're just a fool, just a fool, just a fool
Gimme one more blow
One more blow for my nose, whoa, yeah

Overall Meaning

The song "That Smell" by Lynyrd Skynyrd can be interpreted as a cautionary tale about the dangers of drug addiction. The opening lyrics set the tone for the song, as the singer describes a scene of excess and danger: whiskey bottles, brand new cars, too much coke and too much smoke. The oak tree "in my way" may symbolize a barrier to this lifestyle or a warning sign that the singer isn't seeing. The repetition of the phrase "that smell" creates a feeling of dread and foreboding, suggesting that something bad is coming.


As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the "smell" is the smell of death, brought on by drug addiction. The second verse introduces the image of the "angel of darkness," perhaps representing the fear and despair that come with addiction. The singer pleads with the addict to stop, but they continue to indulge in drugs and alcohol. The line "Say you'll be all right come tomorrow / But tomorrow might not be here for you" is particularly haunting, suggesting that the addict is in denial about the severity of their problem.


The final verse features harsh condemnation for the addict: "Hey, you're a fool, you / Go on stick them needles in your arm / I know I been there before." This line reveals that the singer has struggled with addiction as well, but has managed to escape it. The addict, however, is still in the grip of their addiction and unable to pull themselves out.


Overall, "That Smell" is a powerful and cautionary song that warns against the dangers of addiction. Its vivid imagery and repetition of the phrase "that smell" create a sense of unease and danger, while its condemnation of drug use makes a bold statement about the importance of staying clean.


Line by Line Meaning

Whiskey bottles, and brand new cars
Excess and indulgence, like whiskey and brand new cars, are distracting you from true happiness and fulfillment.


Oak tree you're in my way
You feel blocked and unable to move forward by the obstacles in your life, like the oak tree in your path.


There's too much coke and too much smoke
You're surrounded by substances and harmful habits that are clouding your judgment and damaging your body and mind.


Look what's going on inside you
The chaos and destruction in your life are taking a toll on your mental and physical health.


Ooh that smell
The stench of death and decay is palpable in your life and surroundings.


Can't you smell that smell
You're in denial about the destruction and danger around you.


The smell of death surrounds you
Your life is filled with a sense of dread and doom, and you're constantly surrounded by danger and destruction.


Angel of darkness is upon you
You're being consumed by darkness and despair, represented metaphorically by an angel of darkness.


Stuck a needle in your arm
You're caught up in a cycle of addiction and self-destructive behavior, like injecting drugs into your arm.


So take another toke, have a blow for your nose
You continue to indulge in harmful habits like smoking and snorting drugs to numb your pain and avoid reality.


And one more drink fool, will drown you
Alcohol is another crutch you use to cope, but it's only dragging you further down and increasing your likelihood of harm or death.


Now they call you Prince Charming
Despite your destructive behavior, some people still see you as attractive and charming.


Can't speak a word when you're full of 'ludes
You're so consumed by drugs that you can't even communicate clearly or coherently.


Say you'll be all right come tomorrow
You're in denial about the severity of your problems and continue to put off dealing with them, hoping they'll magically go away.


But tomorrow might not be here for you
Your self-destructive habits may cut your life short, and there may not be a tomorrow for you to make things right.


Hey, you're a fool, you
You're being called out for your foolishness and self-destructive behavior.


Go on stick them needles in your arm
The artist is using sarcasm to illustrate how destructive and harmful your addiction is, and how cavalier you are about it.


I know I been there before
The singer empathizes with your struggle because they've been in the same situation before themselves.


One little problem that confronts you
One small issue, like a monkey on your back, can quickly spiral into something much more dangerous and destructive if left unaddressed.


Got a monkey on your back
You're weighed down by an addiction or a problem that looms large over your life and psyche.


Just one more fix, Lord might do the trick
You cling to the idea that one more hit or indulgence might be all you need to feel happy and fulfilled again, despite the damage it's causing.


One hell of a price for you to get your kicks
The consequences of your actions and habits are dire and ultimately not worth the fleeting sense of pleasure they bring you.


Hey, you're a fool, you
The singer reiterates that you're acting foolishly and destructively.


You're just a fool, just a fool, just a fool
The repetition emphasizes the artist's frustration and despair about your situation, and how entrenched and resistant to change you are.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Allen Collins, Ronnie Van Zant

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@marieblue

“That Smell” (1977) - penned by Ronnie Van Zant and Allen Collins - is about guitarist Gary Rossington, who bought an automobile, got drunk and crashed into a tree, then a house (“Whiskey bottles, and brand new cars / Oak tree you’re in my way”). Lynyrd Skynyrd were supposed to start a tour in a few days, but they had to postpone it because of Rossington’s injuries.

The drunk driver was fined $ 5,000* for holding up the tour. His drug and alcohol problems were badly affecting the group.

Sadly, Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and backup singer Cassie Gaines were killed in a plane crash a few days after Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 1977 tour started.

Eerily, some lyrics in “That Smell” refer to death, and the album cover (which had just been released) showed the musicians enveloped in 🔥 flame. 💙❕💜

May you rest in peace, Ronald Wayne Van Zant (1948 - 1977)… 🌹… Steven Earl Gaines (1949 - 1977)… 🌹… and Cassie LaRue Gaines (1948 - 1977)… 🌹

* Those $ 5,000 in 1977 would be worth about $ 25,000 in 2023‼️



All comments from YouTube:

@kwackerman733

I’m 62 yrs old now, I’ve been listening to the original lynyrd skynrd since I was 15, and it is still legendary. One of the greatest bands ever.

@lisarousseau788

I'll be 62 on October 21 my boyfriend had bought us Skynyrd tickets for my birthday they were coming to Connecticut on their Street Survivors tour on November 10 they had the crash on the 20th the day before my birthday we could have gotten reimbursement but we kept them still have them!

@sueparras6028

I'm 63 and grew up loving this band! Those were the days when music was good and it was real, not autotuned to death ✌🇨🇦👍🤮😎

@jtoker9758

They got such a classic guitar sound. I can identify them off just note if they play their classic tunes, which this song epitomizes. Especially at 0:03

@maxinewallace6213

My husband is 67 and he tells me about them in concert as a 55 yr old thats awesome. I grew up in the 80's which was great.

@joeb7703

I started at that age, too.
I’m now 26 and still listen to Skynard and will keep listening

35 More Replies...

@timhayes876

100 Years from now people will still be Listening to SKYNYRD

@eganvillepainting9928

I agree

@txxr542

I will be one of them when I will be 40-50

@timhayes876

Yes they will Greatest band ever was and ever will be

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