1973 hit ranked best American rock song of all-time

[WildcatRick]

Free Bird

Great song. Very, very debatable.

[Jaxcat]

You'll never get consensus on 'greatest rock song'. It's a good song, for sure. If I had to nitpick, it feels like a 3 minute song with a 3+ minute guitar solo, which just bores me.

But, a lot of rock fans love that song.

[Matt Dillon]

I agree with both of you. It's not even my favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd song.

[Simple_Man]

I like Free Bird but it's also not my favorite song from Lynyrd Skynyrd. My user I'd comes from a song that I like a lot,Simple Man.The band has so many great songs,Its hard to pick a favorite.

[WildcatRick]

My nickname in the service was The Breeze. Bet you can guess my favorite LS song. lol

[Simple_Man]

Call me the Breeze was a great LS song. It's one of my favorite LS songs.

[Jaxcat]

Hot take: Allman Bros Band >>>>> Lynyrd Skynyrd.

I could listen to the ABB all day long. LS, not so much. I respect their legacy and know they had a lot of fans. But, their music never grabbed me. I've been a guitar player in bands for > 40 years off and on, and I've NEVER played Sweet Home or Free Bird in a band - ever. Absolutely refuse to do so. Simple Man is one I've probably played the most and, like the name, it's about as simple as a song can get.

[blueheretic]

It's not even the best LS song.

That was Gimme Three Steps.

The first time I actually listened to the lyrics to that song, I was driving from Loserville down to Fort Campbell. I laughed so hard, I started tearing up and nearly wrecked. I had to pull over until I stopped laughing.

[blueheretic]

Second best LS song is Simple Man.

Mama told me when I was young
"Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say
And if you do this, it'll help you some sunny day, ah, yeah
Oh, take your time, don't live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
You'll find a woman, yeah, and you'll find love
And don't forget, son, there is someone up above
And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby, be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can?
Forget your lust for the rich man's gold
All that you need is in your soul
And you can do this, oh, baby, if you try
All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied
And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby, be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can?"
Oh, yes, I will
Boy, don't you worry, you'll find yourself
Follow your heart and nothing else
And you can do this, oh, baby, if you try
All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied
And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby, be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can?
Baby, be a simple, be a simple man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby, be a simple kind of man

Free Bird is, at best, third and that's debatable. Still got Sweet Home Alabama.

[rupp876]

Hot take: Allman Bros Band >>>>> Lynyrd Skynyrd.

I could listen to the ABB all day long. LS, not so much. I respect their legacy and know they had a lot of fans. But, their music never grabbed me. I've been a guitar player in bands for > 40 years off and on, and I've NEVER played Sweet Home or Free Bird in a band - ever. Absolutely refuse to do so. Simple Man is one I've probably played the most and, like the name, it's about as simple as a song can get.

I like both bands a lot and I agree that The Allman Bros are indeed superior.

[Jaxcat]

^A man of wealth and impeccable taste.