SWEET HOME ALABAMA

News, Stories, Anecdotes about Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Anthem

On the band, and fans getting old, playing what fans want to hear, and Muscle Shoals, home of Southern Rock. Full story »

As long as fans keep listening, they'll keep recording new music. Full story »

The guy who riled up Lynyrd Skynyrd, causing them to create one of the most popular rock anthems is almost old enough for Social Security. Full story »

"Sweet Home Alabama" replaced by ... John Cage? Full story »

The hidden track on Providence, Rhode Island indie folk band Deer Tick's latest album, Born on Flag Day, is the band's own take on the classic "Good Night Irene." Reports, the New Haven Advocate: "As the song fades into drunken cheers and clattering, someone starts up the riff to Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Sweet Home Alabama.' The album ends before the song gets going,... Full story »

An Ocala, Florida man has heard the song so much he can't stand it -- but he loves Lynyrd Skynyrd Full story »

Live at Crazy Jose;s J.A.G. | MySpace Video  Full story »

In Beiruit they loved the governor? Harley-Davidson enthusiasts partied in the Lebanese city in typical leather attire and tattoos, reports the Global Post. Naturally, the musical selections included Lynyrd Skynyrd's classic "Sweet Home Alabama." Just a note to the Global Post: All the vowells are Y's. Read more about the worldwide impact of "Sweet Home Alabama" on al.com.  Full story »

"Free Bird" beat out "Sweet Home Alabama" by a mere two votes in Fort Myers, Florida's News-Press online poll. Apparently, some readers were able to figure out how to vote, unlike the page we found, giving the uber-long rock anthem 135 votes to "Sweet Home Alabama's" 133. "I Ain't the One," appropriately, got zero votes. Read more about the worldwide... Full story »

Terrorist suspects aren't the only ones being tortured by the use of music; so are at least some of the musicians who created the songs. A number of performers have demanded the U.S. military stop using their tunes to torture detainees at Guantanamo Bay. Songs include AC/DC, the theme from the kids' show "Barney" and the Meow Mix commercial jingle.... Full story »

The News-Press for Fort Myers, Florida, is asking readers to vote for the best Lynyrd Skynyrd song of all time. Sadly, this page doesn't tell us how to vote, nor does anyone answer the commenter who asked how. But if you figure it out let us know so we can stuff the ballot box for "Sweet Home Alabama." Read... Full story »

The "America's Got Talent" show in Las Vegas should have stayed out of Vegas, says Mike Weatherford of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Winner Kevin Skinner isn't on top of his game, especially on "Sweet Home Alabama" says Weatherford, noting that the song "hung Skinner out to dry, looking very alone as he flailed along to recorded backing tracks." Read... Full story »

It may have a good beat and you can dance to it, but "Sweet Home Alabama" wasn't enough to impress "Dancing With the Stars" judges when pro snowboarder Louie Vito did a two-step to it this week, reports The Canadian Press. Still he managed to stay on the show as fighter Chuck Liddell hit the canvass. Read more about the worldwide impact of... Full story »

Audrey Ryan plays multiple instruments in her one-woman band, but she doesn't play covers. Still, that doesn't stop requests, reports The Boston Globe. In her home state of Maine,  “A woman came right up to me on stage and said, ‘I want to sing “Sweet Home Alabama’’ -- you guys play and I’ll sing,’ ’’ Ryan remembers with incredulity." Ryan asked her, not... Full story »

Have you always wanted to hear Lynyrd Skynyrd's sophomore release "Second Helping" on 24 karat gold? Now you can, as the re-issue label Audio Fidelty begins selling the numbered limited edition CD October 13. According to the company's website: "The analog masters are put through our new proprietary analog to digital converter which reinforces the resolution of the original... Full story »