70s Song Was Written As a BIG JOKE to MOCK a RIVAL Singer…Became All-Time Classic!-Professor of Rock

The alleged feud between Lynyrd Skynyrd and Neil Young has long been a topic of fascination for Rock fans and pop culture enthusiasts. What began as a lyrical exchange in the early '70s soon spiraled into a highly publicized, and often misunderstood rivalry. When Neil Young critiqued Lynyrd Skynyrd's heritage, their home state, and their people, it sparked an immediate response from them in one of the most famous anthems of the 70s, Sweet Home Alabama. They were fighting their rivalry in the lyrics of their songs…This back-and-forth between the two iconic acts was perceived by many as a deep-seated feud, but was it really as contentious as it seemed?? Let’s get into the story behind this supposed conflict and uncover the truth behind the music and the myths that have surrounded it for decades…It’s coming up NEXT… on Professor of Rock.
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It’s time to talk about one of the greatest feuds in rock history and get the real story…One afternoon in the early 70s, Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd were driving around when a familiar voice came over the radio. It was Neil Young, singing about the blatant racism in Alabama with his song "Southern Man." Ronnie turned to Gary and said, "We need to write a song that shows people what Alabama is really like." That idea sparked the creation of the classic rock anthem, "Sweet Home Alabama.” most people know this… but let’s get into what many don’t know…
"Sweet Home Alabama" may have started as a response to Neil Young's harsh critique of Alabama, but it quickly grew into what many saw as a musical showdown between Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Southern rebels, and Neil Young, the Northern Yankee from across the U.S./Canadian border. While there seemed to be some tension, Most will be shocked to know… There was actually no feud at all.
Neil Young’s “Southern Man” was an editorial calling out racism in Alabama. In the song that was included on the 1970 LP After the Gold Rush, Neil pleads for the South to atone for their sins against humanity with lyrics like: “I saw cotton and I saw black, tall white mansions and little shacks. Southern Man, when will you pay them back? The song also mentions the practice of cross-burning, referencing the KKK.
Upon finishing After the Gold Rush, Young embarked on a series of solo acoustic concerts to promote the album. Following a performance at Carnegie Hall in December 1970, Young took a break from touring and returned to his ranch. During this time, he injured his back while lifting a slab of walnut, which forced him to remain seated while performing, limiting him to acoustic music. In a 1975 interview with Cameron Crowe, Young said:
"I spent the two years between After the Gold Rush and Harvest in and out of hospitals. My muscles on one side gave out, and my discs slipped, making it impossible to hold up my guitar. That’s why I had to sit down for my entire solo tour. I couldn’t move around much, so I laid low at the ranch with little contact with the