Lynyrd Skynyrd - That Smell - 7/13/1977 - Convention Hall
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justdhf Admin
Posts : 1872 Join date : 2008-10-30 Age : 72 Location : Florida
Subject: Lynyrd Skynyrd - That Smell - 7/13/1977 - Convention Hall Sat Dec 19, 2015 9:56 am
Lynyrd Skynyrd - That Smell - 7/13/1977 - Convention Hall (Official)
When Lynyrd Skynyrd's lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Allen Collins wrote the song "That Smell," they were basically predicting the future.
"That Smell" was released in 1977 off of the band's fifth studio album Street Survivors. Although the song was never released as a single, it has an interesting story behind it that simply cannot be ignored.
Ronnie was inspired to write the song due to what he saw as an increasing amount of recklessness in the band, especially when it came to the use of drugs and alcohol. As a result, him and Allen wrote "That Smell" as a warning against such behavior.
In the book Classic Rock Stories by Tim Morse, Ronnie said he was worried about what could happen to the band if they kept up their behavior. "I had a creepy feeling things were going against us, so I thought I'd write a morbid song," he said.
The lyrics are a haunting reminder to never take a single day for granted, saying that "tomorrow might not be here for you" and the "angel of darkness is upon you."
Street Survivors was released on October 17, 1977, featuring "That Smell" as the second track on the album. Three days later on October 20, Ronnie and several of the other band members were killed in a plane crash on their way to a show in Louisiana.
With all of that in mind, "That Smell" takes on a whole new meaning as being slightly prophetic, predicting the tragedy that would strike the band days after its release.
Just months before the plane crash, the band performed the song during a concert at the Convention Hall in Asbury Park, New Jersey. You can watch that performance in the video above.
The story behind "That Smell" is certainly a dark one, but when put into context, it makes you have an even greater appreciation for the truly unforgettable song.
LYRICS BELOW
Whiskey bottles, and brand new cars Oak tree you're in my way There's too much coke and too much smoke Look what's going on inside you
Ooooh that smell Can't you smell that smell Ooooh that smell The smell of death surrounds you
Angel of darkness is upon you Stuck a needle in your arm So take another toke, have a blow for your nose One more drink fool, will drown you
Ooooh that smell Can't you smell that smell Ooooh that smell The smell of death surrounds you
Now they call you Prince Charming Can't speak a word when you're full of 'ludes Say you'll be all right come tomorrow But tomorrow might not be here for you
Ooooh that smell Can't you smell that smell Ooooh that smell The smell of death surrounds you
Hey, you're a fool you Stick them needles in your arm I know I been there before One little problem that confronts you Got a monkey on your back Just one more fix, Lord might do the trick One hell of a price for you to get your kicks
Ooooh that smell Can't you smell that smell Ooooh that smell The smell of death surrounds you Ooooh that smell Can't you smell that smell Ooooh that smell The smell of death surrounds you
Sat Dec 19, 2015 9:56 am