Known as a response record, such songs "refer directly to a previous hit and usually do it in a catty, mischievous way". ( Play and listen to a MP3 sample clip of Neil Young's "Alabama" ) ( Play and listen to a MP3 sample clip of Neil Young's "Southern Man" ) ( Play and listen to a MP3 sample clip of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" ) Well, I heard Mister Young sing about herĪ southern man don't need him around anyhow. This article came about because I've long been fascinated with Neil Young's influence on other bands ever since I heard Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" which was written in response to two of Young's anti-southern slavery songs, "Southern Man", from the album After the Gold Rush, and "Alabama", from the album Harvest. Rarely has such a widely popular hit song been so vastly misunderstood by so many for so long. As this article demonstrates, the complicated saga of "Sweet Home Alabama" is anything but sweet. The enormously popular song has an extraordinarily complex backstory involving a wide swath of groups which have laid claim to the song's message and symbols. The history of Lynyrd Skynyrd's 1974 song "Sweet Home Alabama" has a long and tortured history. Such is the duality of the southern thing. Somewhere, Ronnie is still having a good laugh at Alabama officials and Neil Young bashers. (Or even make implied death threats (note caption).) Similarly, with the State of Alabama using the phrase "Sweet Home Alabama" as an official slogan on license plates, one truly has to wonder what they were thinking the song was about. Every day, someone blogs or tweets the "Neil Young putdown" without comprehending that they've actually praised him. ![]() Thus, for those who think it's so clever to put down Neil Young using the phrase "Hope Neil Young will remember, a southern man don't need him around anyhow" little do they realize that they have the meaning backwards. Without Young's songs that were so critical of the South's segregationist and racist attitudes for inspiration, it is doubtful that the band would have produced a song with such a long lasting duration that continues to sell well 30 years after its release.īut the ultimate irony of "Sweet Home Alabama" is that for so many, the song's implied put down of Neil Young was NOT meant as criticism but as support of Young's anti-racism. Thanks to Neil Young, Lynyrd Skynyrd was inspired to write the song "Sweet Home Alabama". Please comment and add your thoughts on Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama"Ī southern man don't need him around anyhow" Regardless of whether you’re a fan of Joe Rogan or not, Young’s actions stand as one of the best examples of putting one’s money where one’s mouth is.Lynyrd Skynyrd: Neil Young's Nemesis or Ally? We hear a lot about people - especially celebs - speaking their truth - but it’s usually all talk. “I did this because I had no choice in my heart. Young issued a challenge to other artists who shared his views to make a stand against Spotify, “I sincerely hope that other artists can make a move, but I can’t really expect that to happen,” Young said. The hashtags #DeleteSpotify, #SpotifyDeleted and #cancelspotify were trending on Twitter Thursday. The brawl has spilled over to social media, of course, with fans and opponents of Young, Rogan and Spotify duking it out. “Outspoken, brave, and a true music icon, Neil Young is in a rare class of artists, and we are honored to collaborate with him to create a special audio experience for his fans,” Steve Blatter, SiriusXM senior vice president and general manager of music programming, said. “Now seems like a good time to let you know Radio is back on SiriusXM,” SiriusXM tweeted. As the Wall Street Journal reported, satellite radio giant SiriusXM Thursday announced the return of “Neil Young Radio,” a satellite and streamed channel featuring Young introducing his songs and telling stories. ![]() ![]() “I’m a (expletive) moron.”īut some in the music industry have a heart of gold. “I’m not a doctor,” Rogan said in a clip of a show from last year. ![]() Rogan gives himself an out when hit with backlash for his COVID comments. Robert Malone, the “anti-vaxxer epidemiologist” who was recently booted from Twitter for alleged dissemination of vaccine misinformation, The Post previously reported. Young stands to lose 60% of his streaming income from his stance, he said in a statement on his website.Īlthough Young did not specifically note which episodes he took issue with, Rogan did recently host Dr. “We regret Neil’s decision to remove his music from Spotify, but hope to welcome him back soon,” said a company spokesman.
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