Lynyrd Skynyrd: Classic or Dud?

I'm *still* not sure of the politics of "Sweet Home Alabama." At the least it's probably the most maddeningly ambiguous/misunderstood/complicated song of its ilk aside from "Okie from Muskogee," with which is shares a lot of DNA. Even the band was inconsistent when talking about it.

Skynyrd are playing with ZZ Top not too far from me, but the line-up now is basically Ricky Medlocke, Ronnie Van Zant's brother and a bunch of random dudes. How they get to go out playing under the name is beyond me.

“SWA” is a good sophomore year high school talent show entry, just be prepared that the bass player will be the only one in the band who remembers the F-E-D turnaround

Ronnie was in his twenties when he wrote that and came from a very backward place. That song is well beyond him and his politics now. Anyway saying the governor’s true in that situation is pretty reprehensible.

“All I can do is write about it” is his best defense of the south.

Disney Skynyrd ride when

yeah 'watergate does not bother me/does your conscience bother you' is pretty straightforward

but the Swampers

“Now watergate has got the swompers”

“Now we all did what conscience do”

I've got to admit, as a simple man, that I've never had any idea what "watergate does not bother me/does your conscience bother you (tell the truth)" was meant to convey.

I think he’s questioning whether the average citizen should feel guilty about the behavior of their elected representatives.

Or is it kind of the same idea as Randy Newman's "Rednecks"? Like, you get all righteous about misbehaving politicians, but maybe you secretly harbor similar beliefs? ("Tell the truth")

You can't read too hard into these lyrics, folks.

https://i.imgur.com/wvB32jh.jpeg

Or is it kind of the same idea as Randy Newman's "Rednecks"? Like, you get all righteous about misbehaving politicians, but maybe you secretly harbor similar beliefs? ("Tell the truth")

― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, April 18, 2024 12:19 PM (one hour ago) bookmarkflaglink

different in that Randy gets to say the n-word cuzza he's such a Smart Guy