The 1973 rock classic ranked No. 7 on a recent list of 10 classic rock songs that never topped the chart.
Despite its place in rock history, “Free Bird” peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its long running time may have been one reason it never reached the top spot.
The song runs for nine minutes and seven seconds on Spotify, according to the supplied streaming data, and has more than 957 million streams. Its combination of Ronnie Van Zant’s vocals and the extended guitar ending helped turn it into Lynyrd Skynyrd’s signature song.
American southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1975.Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
“Free Bird” was not an ordinary radio single. The song grew from a guitar idea written by Allen Collins during the band’s early rehearsal days.
The song continued to change as Lynyrd Skynyrd performed it live.
Pianist Billy Powell later added the song’s recognizable piano introduction.
The length became a concern when the song was considered for release as a single. Record executives reportedly believed it was too long for radio and wanted it shortened. The band refused.
That decision did not stop “Free Bird” from becoming a hit.
The song became Lynyrd Skynyrd’s signature track and a regular finale at the band’s live shows. The live performances could also run much longer than the studio version, with one famous performance stretching beyond 14 minutes.
“Free Bird” also received major recognition outside the charts. The 1973 recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008. It was also included among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.
Related: 1970 Black Sabbath Rock Song, Lasting Nearly 11 Minutes, Is Still a Powerful Hit 56 Years Later
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