Lynyrd Skynyrd Songs Ranked
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964. The group was originally named My Backyard and comprised Ronnie Van Zant (lead vocalist), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass guitar), and Bob Burns (drums). The band spent five years touring small venues under a variety of different names and with several lineup changes before finally deciding on “Lynyrd Skynyrd” in 1969. The band released their first album in 1973, having settled on a lineup that included bassist Leon Wilkeson, keyboardist Billy Powell and guitarist Ed King. Burns would later be replaced by Artimus Pyle, and King by Steve Gaines. At the height of their fame during the 1970s, the band popularized the Southern rock genre with songs such as “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird”. Here are all of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s songs ranked.
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20. All I Can Do is Write About It (Gimme Back My Bullets, 1976)
“This is the classic that resonates with me most next to Freebird of course. Please just listen to it and you’ll see why it really should be in the top ten! Such a funky intro!
19. I Need You (Second Helping, 1974)
“One of the most overlooked songs ever. Once the chorus kicks in…Epic Ronnie. Love the guitar solo in it. My personal favorite. This song comes with the country-rock style, and with amazing riffs.”
18. One More Time (Street Survivors, 1977)
“Great song, a little more produced than most Skynyrd songs, but awesome. The guitar riff in the middle is incredible. Not just my favourite Lynyrd Skynyrd song, but possibly my favourite song of everyone.”
17. On the Hunt (Nuthin’ Fancy 1975)
“Underrated song, that doesn’t get enough air or concert play. But what do I know? All their songs should be played every day, all the time. Simply awesome! I love almost all their songs but this one really stands out.
See more: Lynyrd Skynyrd Albums Ranked
16. Comin’ Home (Southern by the Grace of God, 1988)
“This is my favorite song of all time. It displays the hardship of loss in such a beautiful way. Ronnie sings mournfully, but still with anticipation of the future. Their best song by far…”
15. I Never Dreamed (Street Survivors, 1977)
“This masterpiece is just a little display of Gaines’s incredible composing potential. Cannot listen to this without feeling goose pimples. Wonderful! Thanks, Skynyrd for everything! It is a really good song.
14. You Got that Right (Street Survivors, 1977)
“So underplayed.. This is like the anthem of any down to earth partier. This is their greatest recording. Steve Gaines was a phenom. Blown away chills the first time I heard this… And probably the same every time afterwards. Amazing underrated guitar work and singing. One of the best.”
13. I Know a Little (Street Survivors, 1977)
“This song is beautifully performed, the guitar is very well played, and this song always reminds me of sitting in a car, going along the road while its raining. Once again, this song is amazing and am surprised that this song is not number one.”
12. Still Unbroken (God & Guns 2009)
“I love that song. This song makes me something lonely. When I listen to that music, I miss someone. I don’t know who is appeared in my mind, boy or girl? I think it may be a girl. I sometimes cry when I listen to that music.”
11. The Ballad of Curtis Loew (Second Helping, 1974)
“This is absolutely their best and it’s the most amazing lyrics ever by lynyrd skynyrd!I’m sure you guys will vote after listening to this one! Just hear it once! Way better than that Sweet Home Alabama cheese..”
10. Gimme Back My Bullets (Gimme Back My Bullets, 1976)
“So difficult to choose as so many. This is distinctive Skynyrd – not just song as Ronnie so well backed up by the Honkettes, but instrumentally as well. I love Freebird and SHA but about time those yet to get fully into Skynyrd enjoyed the wider catalogue.”
9. What’s Your Name? (Street Survivors, 1977)
“Blown away chills the first time I heard this… And probably the same every time afterwards. Amazing underrated guitar work and singing. One of the best..
8. Call Me the Breeze (Second Helping, 1974)
“It may not be their best, but it is certainly my favorite. I also love Saturday Night Special. The guitar parts are the best they ever did in my opinion. JJ Cale wrote it and performed it, but Skynyrd’s version rocks it!”
7. Saturday Night Special (Nuthin’ Fancy, 1975)
“This song just evokes a different kind of emotion. You feel sad and happy at the same time. This song is a beautiful piece of art. This song is one of the good songs ever I listen. This song gives me pleasure, peace, happiness, and awesomeness.”
See more: Damn Yankees Albums Ranked
6. Gimme Three Steps ((Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd), 1973)
“Ahh… Great song, the first billion times I heard it… But, you can’t tell me there aren’t at least a dozen greater Skynyrd songs than this… If I never heard “3 Steps” again, I’ll be happy.”
5. That Smell (Street Survivors, 1977)
“The culmination of all the unique qualities that made Skynyrd special: The prominent punch of Leon’s bass with AP’s rolling drums, the genuineness of Ronnie’s lyrics, the unbelievable guitar work throughout and the girls singing for emphasis in the background make this song their greatest. The definitive Skynyrd song that NO ONE would even consider attempting to cover, much like Saturday Night Special.”
4. Tuesday’s Gone ((Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd), 1973)
“The only reason this song isn’t number one is because nobody has listened to it. A lot of their “online” fan base ( I use that word carefully ) has stumbled across the first 3 songs ( Free Bird, Sweet Home Alabama & Simple Man ). They are great songs in their own perspective but this tune… Is the good stuff.”
3. Sweet Home Alabama (Second Helping, 1974)
“Lynyrd Skynyrd’s best, must be number 1, Free Bird is great but Sweet Home Alabama takes the prize for me, seamless, fantastical and sublimely-composed are the list of three words which describe this song.”
2. Simple Man ((Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd), 1973)
“Simple Man. The song that non-superficial fans of Lynyrd Skynyrd think of when they think about the band. While “Freebird” and “Sweet Home Alabama” are good songs in and of themselves, “Simple Man” is in a league of its own. It says everything that needs to be said, and is a true pouring-out of the heart by Van Zandt. A classic.”
1. Free Bird ((Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd), 1973)
“You know that whatever is considered to be the best Lynyrd Skynyrd song of all time has got to be a great Song! This is amazing, great lyrics and the best guitar solo of all time to top it all Off! It doesn’t get any better than that! My favorite rock song of all time! It has to be #1! This is perfect for Southern rock! Just behind this on greatest rock songs of all time I would have to go with Smells like teen spirit, but we’re just talking Lynyrd Skynyrd! Besides the two songs I’ve mentioned here nothing else is even close! I don’t care if you think I’m crazy!”