Forty-nine years ago, legendary rock group Lynyrd Skynyrd released "That Smell"—a song that remains a classic despite never charting on any Billboard charts.
Released on October 17, 1977 as a track from their fifth studio album, Street Survivors, "That Smell" quickly became a fan favorite. Although the song was widely recognized as a standout track among both fans and critics, it was never officially issued as a commercial single. Because of this, it never appeared on the Billboard Hot 100.
Street Survivors was a highly successful record, becoming their highest-charting album of the '70s by peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 LP chart. It has since been certified 2× Multi-Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), selling over 2 million copies in the U.S. alone.
Allen Collins, Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd perform on stage in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on October 16, 1975.Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns
Sadly, Street Survivors marked Lynyrd Skynyrd's final album with their original lineup. Only three days after its release, a plane crash tragically claimed the lives of lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and backing vocalist Cassie Gaines, bringing a sudden and devastating end to the group's legendary golden era.
The Backstory & Impact
Co-written by Van Zant and guitarist Allen Collins, "That Smell" was penned as a cautionary warning about the band's decline into dangerous, drug and alcohol-riddled lifestyles. The track's lyrical content was inspired by an incident where guitarist Gary Rossington recklessly crashed his car into an oak tree while under the influence.
In an archival interview from 1979, Rossington spoke about the song's inspiration, reflecting on the night of the crash: "I was just so high I didn't know what the hell was going on... my teeth knocked out and all this shit... [Ronnie] wrote it for that, to tell everybody to cool it a little bit."
The track's brutally honest lyricism about the dark side of drug addiction and rock-and-roll antics, alongside the band's plane crash tragedy, struck a chord in listeners. Its dark lyrics stripped drug use of its glamorous stereotype, reminding fans that life is precious and not to be throw it away.
The lyrics "One hell of a price for you to get your kicks" and "Say you'll be alright come tomorrow / But tomorrow might not be here for you" drive the point home that your life is simply not worth the temporary high of substance abuse.
Nearly five decades after its release, the song continues to resonate with listeners. The track's popularity has carried over seamlessly into the digital era. On Spotify alone, the song has garnered over 111 million streams, speaking to the importance of heavy-hitting rock songs and their ability to leave a lasting impact.
Related: 1970 Rock Classic, Resurfaced 28 Years Later, Became a Timeless Motivational Anthem
Hence then, the article about 1977 rock song with zero chart history remains a classic 49 years later was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 1977 Rock Song With Zero Chart History Remains a Classic 49 Years Later )
Also on site :
- Blue Energy Receives Strategic Investment from Constellation to Accelerate Commercialization of Novel Shipyard Manufacturing and Project Financing Model for New Nuclear
- The global rich like Peter Thiel are eyeing the exit door. Argentina wants to be a ‘serious contender’ in the migration game
- Coca-Cola suspended production at its Fairlife dairy after a ransomware attack