That Smell; Lynyrd Skynyrd

Talking about American southern rock, I couldn't omit Lynyrd Skynyrd, the best known example of this particular sound.

"Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band, formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1964. The band became prominent in the Southern United States in 1973, and rose to worldwide recognition. Three members and one road crew member died in an airplane crash in 1977; the band reformed in 1987 for a reunion tour with lead singer Ronnie Van Zant's younger brother Johnny as the frontman. Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to tour and record. Of its original members, only Gary Rossington remains with the band as of 2011. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 13, 2006."

"That Smell" is a song by the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Written by Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Allen Collins, it was released in 1977 on the album Street Survivors. At the time the song was written, the band had been drinking and doing many different drugs. Van Zant had said that he started drinking heavily to relieve the pressure of performing in front of large audiences.¹

According to Songfacts.com, "This is about Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington, who bought a new car, got drunk, and crashed it into a tree, then a house ("whiskey bottles, brand new car, oak tree you're in my way"). The band was supposed to start a tour in a few days, but had to postpone it because of Rossington." And "here is a saying among "H" users that the smell of cooking the Heroin brings you right back to shooting it. Everyone was able to kick except for Allen. After the car accident Allen's habit was worse than ever and caused him to die of pneumonia."

"That Smell" has one tiny wolf whistle right in the middle (3:48), one second and it's done... well, it worths and here it is:

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.

Ooh, ooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell?
Ooh, ooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you.

Yeah.
Angel of darkness is upon you.
Stuck a needle in your arm (you, fool, you)
So take another toke, have a blow for your nose,
one more drink, fool, would drown you. (hell, yeah)

Ooh, ooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell?
Ooh, ooh 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 alright come tomorrow, but
tomorrow might not be here for you. (yeah, you)

Ooh, ooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell?
Ooh, ooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you.

Aw, you, fool, you.
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. (hell, yeah)

Ooh, ooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell?
Ooh, ooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you.

Oh, you, fool, you
Don't stick those needles in your arm.
You're just a fool, just a fool, just a fool.