"What song is it you wanna hear?"
In the end, it all comes down to Free Bird. There really wasn't even a doubt in mind. In fact, when I started creating the list, I put Free Bird #1 and then worked on the rest of the list. Free Bird was always going to be #1. Lynyrd Skynyrd's 1973 masterpiece off of their debut album might possibly be the best song of all time (well, after Thriller, of course). Truthfully, I shouldn't be as excited for this song as I am considering it was already on Guitar Hero II, but that was simply guitar playing, and vocals and drums are just as fun. Plus, I just friggin' miss playing this song. This is one of the few songs in history to have success on the charts for both a studio and live version of the same song, reaching #19 and #38 on the charts respectively. Guitar World magazine lists the guitar solo as the #3 best of all time. And much like the end of this list, the band almost always ended their concerts with this song.
The keyboard intro for the song was the first piece of the song conceived. Lead singer, Ronnie Van Sant, heard keyboardist Billy Powell play the intro at a high school prom and asked him to join the band based on hearing it. That intro would later become the beginning of the song. The opening line, "If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me," was said by guitarist Allen Collin to his girlfriend and he liked it so much, he wrote it down only to later put it in the song. The song would go on to become the band's biggest hit. It is such a popular song, the chant of "Free Bird!" as a request for a song has become a staple of many concerts, no matter what type of music, band, or performer is playing. I even heard it once at a Blue Man Group concert. The song, simply is the best....maybe of all time. Tomorrow, we start playing...
7 comments:
YES!!!
I have ALWAYS loved Lynyrd Skynyrd. I LOVED playing this song on GH2 and I know I will LOVE playing it on Rock Band. It's a great song all around - great lyrics, great music, great singalong song, great air guitar song. I totally agree with your #1 pick!
Out of curiosity, what were the #1 and #2 guitar solos on that Guitar World list you referenced?
I enjoyed this series of posts so much. I liked the history of the songs; I learned a lot. I liked your reasons for listing the song where you did and hearing what you were excited to play. Good work, my love!
Jess - #2 is Eruption and #1 is Stairway.
Funny... Can Eruption be considered a guitar SOLO if the ENTIRE song is just guitar? Isn't that just solo guitar? I thought a guitar solo was when the guitarist goes off in the MIDDLE of the song. Oh well, Eruption rocks anyway... I think of our wedding each time I hear it!
When I was in high school (late 70s, ahem) people WORSHIPPED this song. I think there is so much going on in it. Honest emotion, building from pretty mellow to full on frenzy. Can't think of anything better to play along with.
Enjoy you guys!
I wish this song weren't so overplayed though. It's great, but I think I've reached a saturation point with it, you know?
I was so excited to see your #1 and when I brought up the page I can't tell you how excited I was. All but one of your top 5 I knew so I wasn't sure if I was going to know it or not. I'm so excited that you have this song. Yes, it was on GH2 already but this is an incredible song! Sorry Churlita I don't think I ever get tired of hearing this song!
I, too, loved this series of posts and can't wait to see what is next! Pictures????? Or just some of Manuel's all and all good writing???
Post a Comment