Free Bird is a classic rock song recorded by American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was released as a single in November 1974 and reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1975. The song is known for its lengthy guitar solo at the end, which can last over 10 minutes when played live. Free Bird is without a doubt Lynyrd Skynyrd’s most popular and famous song.
Background on Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1964 and originally went by the name The Noble Five before changing their name in 1969. The founding members included Ronnie Van Zant (lead vocals), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass) and Bob Burns (drums). Known for pioneering the Southern rock genre, Lynyrd Skynyrd became popular in the 1970s for hits like “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird”. Their music featured bluesy guitar licks and three-part harmonies.
Origins of Free Bird
Free Bird was written in 1973 by Allen Collins and Ronnie Van Zant. According to guitarist Gary Rossington, Van Zant was inspired to write the ballad portion of the song after his girlfriend at the time, Kathy, whom he later married. The song’s title came about when Van Zant asked Collins, “What’s that song that starts off slow and ends up in a fast jam at the end?…Make a song like that with a bird in it or something.” Collins then came up with the opening piano section and the first few lines referencing a free bird.
Lyrical Meaning
The lyrics of Free Bird tell a bittersweet story of love and heartbreak. The speaker pleads for the woman he loves to be like a “free bird” and wait for him even if she decides to leave. There are references to the changing of the seasons – perhaps symbolizing the stages of their relationship. The speaker reflects on the good times they shared but seems to know deep down that she will not stay.
If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on, now
‘Cause there’s too many places I’ve got to see
The free bird metaphor suggests he wants her to be free like a bird – not caged or tied down. But he longs for her to remember him and the love they had.
Ending guitar solo
After the ballad portion ends around the 5-minute mark, the song transforms into an epic guitar solo. It starts off slow and mellow as a continuation of the ballad’s melody. But then builds up speed and intensity for over 5 minutes, showcasing some of the greatest guitar work in rock history. This long, meandering solo gives the song its “free bird” feeling. The musicians seem to be jamming freely without limits.
Release and Reception
Lynyrd Skynyrd first recorded a shorter, 5-minute version of Free Bird as the closing track of their debut 1973 album (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd). They weren’t going to release it as a single, but local radio stations started playing the full 9-minute version from the album and it became highly requested. So a edited 3-minute single version was released in November 1974.
The full-length album version received widespread acclaim. It became a huge hit at concerts, where fans would hold up lighters and yell for the band to “play ‘Free Bird!'” It remains Lynyrd Skynyrd’s most popular and enduring song, still widely rock radio airplay today. Many critics and music publications have praised Free Bird’s guitar work and listed it among the best rock songs of all time.
Notable live performances
– The song was played at the band’s famous 1977 performance at Knebworth Fair in England, which had over 100,000 fans in attendance.
– After the 1977 plane crash that killed several members, the surviving members reformed in 1987 and made emotional returns to performing Free Bird on tour.
– At the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards, guitarist Slash joined the band to play Free Bird as a tribute after Van Zant’s death.
– Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker, and Kenny Chesney joined Lynyrd Skynyrd to perform Free Bird at their final show of the band’s farewell tour in 2000.
Accolades
– Ranked #195 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list
– Listed as one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll
– VH1 placed it at #3 on their 100 Greatest Rock Songs list
– The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame included the Free Bird guitar solo as one of the “50 Moments That Changed Rock and Roll”
In Pop Culture
Given its popularity and recognition factor, Free Bird has been used many times in films, TV shows, and other pop culture contexts over the years. Here are some notable examples:
Film
– School of Rock (2003) – Jack Black sings some of the lyrics before being cutoff: “If I leave here tomorrow…”
– Forrest Gump (1994) – Plays as Forrest heads across the country running and “free as a bird”
– Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) – Church massacre scene plays out as Free Bird guitar solo builds up
TV Shows
| Show | Use of Free Bird |
|---|---|
| The Office | Michael Scott sings the song at karaoke night |
| Family Guy | Peter Griffin sings his own James Dean version of the song |
| How I Met Your Mother | Marshall’s drunk voicemail singing Free Bird |
| South Park | Randy performs the song in a talent show |
Other
– A part of rock culture – Fans jokingly yell “Free Bird!” as a request at any concert, not just Lynyrd Skynyrd shows.
– Inspiration for encores – It became traditional for bands to save extended jams/solos for the encore.
– Featured in many music games like Guitar Hero, Rock Band.
– Soundtrack for pro sports – Often played at stadiums/arenas to pump up crowds.
Covers and Influence
Given its stature in rock history, Free Bird has been covered by many bands and musicians over the years:
Notable Covers
– Keith Urban – Country version on tribute album Skynyrd Frynds
– Reggie Watts – Comedic cover that switches between genres
– Dave Grohl – Live cover with The Foo Fighters
– Elton John – Performed it with other classics on a “Hits Medley”
– Jimmy Buffett – Added Free Bird to setlists on tours in the 2000s
– Tori Amos – Dramatically reinterpreted the ballad portion
– Alice Cooper – Hard rock cover played at concerts in the 80s/90s
Influence on other songs
Free Bird helped pioneer the idea of closing an album with an expansive, epic guitar jam. Other songs have followed in its footsteps:
– Hotel California by The Eagles
– Layla by Derek and the Dominos
– November Rain by Guns N’ Roses
– Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
– Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Many tributes and parodies of Free Bird have also been made, poking fun at its ubiquity and joke status as the “default” song request. Ween spoofed it as “Freebird” and Band of Horses have a song “Free Bird / Highway To Oblivion.”
Conclusion
In summary, Free Bird began simply as a ballad by Lynyrd Skynyrd but evolved into one of the most legendary rock songs of all time. Its mesmerizing long guitar solo epitomizes freedom and transcendence for generations of fans. Nearly 50 years later, calling out “Play ‘Free Bird!'” remains engrained in rock culture and the song continues inspiring new bands. For all these reasons, Free Bird deserves its reputation as the ultimate Southern rock anthem that helped define an era of American music with its bold and unbridled guitar playing.
