Fusion 45

Even though hearing it makes me want to hog holler and change the horn on my Toyota hybrid to one that plays Dixie, there’s something about Sweet Home Alabama that makes me want to “turn it up” every time I hear it. Released in 1974 as the lead cut on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s second album, conveniently called Second Helping, it was the first hit single from an album-oriented band of boys from Jacksonville, Florida (supposedly named after their high school gym teacher, Leonard Skinner).

Crammed between Helen Reddy and the Defranco Family on Top 40 radio, it was a refreshing breath of southern honk written by Ed King, Gary Rossington and Ronnie Van Zant as a tribute to the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. But, in short order it gained more notoriety for name-checking Neil Young (and the subsequent rumor that Young and the band had become mortal enemies). That turned out to be an urban myth on par with Elvis and Jim Morrison living together in a flat in Paris: Young and the band were actually friendly for the years between the song’s release and the band’s disastrous plane crash in 1977.

While there are many reasons for the song’s appeal — not the least of which are its imminently singable lyrics and hook — there’s a lot more there than what’s heard on the surface. Though vocal goddess Clydie King is the only woman listed on the credits as a background singer, it’s her voice that stands out and gives the record it’s soul. If you listen closely to the left channel, you can hear producer Al Kooper contribute some tasty acoustic guitar. It’s Kooper that contributes the ass-kicking honky tonk piano throughout the song, as well. And, for those of you with 20-pound ears, listen closely to the left channel at :54 (right after Ronnie Van Zant name checks Mr. Young): you’ll hear producer Kooper imitating Young in the background.

For those you who just can’t get enough obscure Sweet Home Alabama facts here are a few more:

• Kentucky Fried Chicken has nothing to do with Muscle Shoals or, for that matter, Alabama so no one really knows why they use the song on their commercials
• The song, which starts on a D chord is not in the key of D. It’s actually in the key of G, witnessed by Ed King’s solo, which is based on the E-minor pentatonic blues scale. If you’re not sure what an E-minor pentatonic scale is, ask one of your music nerd friends. But, be warned:  his/her description of the Circle of Fifths and relative minor pentatonics may have you reaching for a couple gin and tonics.

Make the purchase: So screamingly ubiquitous, it can be found everywhere from the local Piggly Wiggly to a Sunday flea market, Sweet Home Alabama is best consumed as part of their Second Helping record. Get it on Amazon among others. Turn it up!

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama

Artwork: University Market by Daniel A. Moore

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 at 4:58 pm and is filed under Rock & Roll Hit & Lit. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.