Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Controversial “Sweet Home Alabama”

Every now and then, we get a song that becomes visual media’s theme for a certain setting or location. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole for Hawaii or tropical locations, “LaVie en Rose” by Edith Piaf for many scenes in France, or even “Sprach Zarathustra” by Richard Strauss for space settings. But none of them have been used as much as representing the south with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama”.

History    

First appearing in 1974 on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s second album, this single became the southern rock band’s highest charting single, and still continues to be used to this day. The most ironic part? None of the writers (Ed King, Gary Rossing, and Ronnie Van Zant) were from Alabama. In fact, this song is quite controversial, in both its creation and it’s writing. “Sweet Home Alabama” was written as response to two songs written by Neil Young that imply racism in the American South. These two songs were “Southern Man” (1970) and “Alabama” (1972). 

While Young was name-checked in “Sweet Home Alabama”, he has spoken about their “good-natured” feud, as they seemed to actually be mutual fans of each other. Neil Young even performed the song at the memorial to the three members of Lynyrd Skynyrd who tragically passed in a plane crash in 1977. However, this was not the only controversy the song has initiated. The other is due to the song’s reference to Birmingham and George Wallace, who was the governor of Alabama at the time of its release, as well as a notable supporter of racial segregation. During a time where massive civil rights activism was very prominent, the mention of the governor caused a huge backlash. However, Ronnie Van Zant explained that the audience had misunderstood the lyrics, as they failed to notice the “Boo! Boo! Boo!” after that particular line. There are still arguments on the political undertones of the song to this day, but the group has taken action to prove their intentions with some of their actions; such as the use and later denouncement of the confederate flag. Although the song has had several ups and downs, it continues to find life in visual media. 

 

How is it used?

Often used for scenes set in the south or on a road trip, “Sweet Home Alabama” has been used for several films, shows, and even videogames. This iconic song is most often used to let the audience know that it is taking place in the American South, or that the characters are going on a road trip. Which is exactly how it was used in the 2003 film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, directed by Marcus Nispel, where our group of southern teenagers are making out on the road. Another, possibly more obvious, use is in the 2002 film Sweet Home Alabama, directed by Andy Tennant. Not only was the film named after the song, but it also expresses the love people have for Alabama. Yet the best use, has to be in the 2002 film 8 Mile, directed by Curtis Hanson, where Eminem’s character does a freestyle rap version of the song to simply make fun of the other character on screen. Also, who could forget Forest and Jenny’s “Sweet Home Alabama” reunion in the 1994 film Forest Gump, directed by Robert Zemeckis. 

 

Some other notable uses:

• Con Air (1997) – directed by Simon West
• Mask (1985) - directed by Peter Bogdanovich
• Crimson Tide (1995) - directed by Tony Scott
• Sahara (2005) - directed by Breck Eisner
• Despicable Me (2010) - directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud
• Knight Rider “Short Notice” (S1, E22) - directed by Robert Foster
• Malcom in the Middle “Louis vs. Evil” (S1, E9) - directed by Todd Holland
• How I Met Your Mother “Woooo!” (S4, E8) - directed by Pamela Fryman
• Dark Matter “Isn’t That a Paradox?” (S3, E9) - directed by Craig David Wallace
• Nascar Thunder (2001) - Videogame

Classic or Cliché? 

 

Although the song has a controversial past, we can’t deny that people identify this song as a lyrical representation of the love they have for their home state. However, the fact that the song has most often been used to identify the setting of the scene in visual media as the American south, undermines the meaning. There are simply many other songs that have the same representation and impact of the “south” that can be used. They may not be as recognizable as “Sweet Home Alabama”, but would give a fresh musical view of the south for the audience. The song has definitely become a cliché.