Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is an open world action-adventure game released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2. It quickly became one of the most popular and best-selling video games of all time. The game is set in the fictional state of San Andreas, which is loosely based on California and Nevada. Players control Carl “CJ” Johnson, a gang member who returns home after his mother is murdered. As CJ, players explore the state while completing missions and side activities. One of the most iconic elements of the GTA series is its in-game radio stations. These radio stations play licensed music and parody talk radio programs. Fans often ask if Lynyrd Skynyrd’s classic rock anthem “Free Bird” can be heard on any of the radio stations in GTA San Andreas.
Radio Stations in GTA San Andreas
GTA San Andreas contains 11 radio stations with over 150 licensed songs. While the tracklist contains many iconic tunes from the early 1990s, “Free Bird” is not included. Here is a full list of the radio stations and their genres:
Radio Station | Genre |
---|---|
Playback FM | Classic hip hop |
K Rose | Country |
K-DST | Classic rock |
Bounce FM | Funk and disco |
SF-UR | House |
Radio Los Santos | Modern hip hop |
Radio X | Alternative rock |
CSR 103.9 | New jack swing |
K-JAH West | Reggae |
Master Sounds 98.3 | Rare groove |
WCTR | Talk radio |
K-DST is the classic rock station, but it does not include “Free Bird”. The station features artists like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Guns N’ Roses, and David Bowie. However, the omission of “Free Bird” is likely due to licensing restrictions.
The Popularity of “Free Bird”
“Free Bird” was released by Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1974 on their debut album (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd). While not initially released as a single, it gained popularity from album-oriented rock radio stations. The song is over 9 minutes long and contains a 5-minute guitar solo at the end. It has become an iconic southern rock anthem.
The song peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1975. It reached the top 10 of the Hot 100 when a live version was released as a single in 1977 after a tragic plane crash killed several members of Lynyrd Skynyrd. “Free Bird” remains immensely popular today and is often used in pop culture references. It is frequently chosen as the last song of live concerts, especially rock shows.
Why “Free Bird” Is Not in GTA San Andreas
There are a few likely reasons why “Free Bird” is not part of the radio soundtrack in GTA San Andreas:
Licensing
The makers of GTA San Andreas, Rockstar Games, likely could not obtain the license to use “Free Bird”. Licenses for well-known songs can be very expensive. The record label may have been unwilling to license it for the game.
Run Time
At over 9 minutes, “Free Bird” is considerably longer than the average 3-4 minute pop and rock song. The length could have been prohibitive, as the stations aim to mix together short songs to resemble real radio programming.
Southern Rock Genre Not Emphasized
While set in a fictional California, GTA San Andreas has a heavy focus on West Coast gang culture, hip hop, and funk. Southern rock is not a core part of the game’s setting and vibe. K-DST emphasizes classic rock from the late 1960s and 1970s.
Possible Controversy
Lynyrd Skynyrd has resisted licensing their songs when they believe it will associate them with a controversial product or subject matter. The violence and adult-themes of GTA may have been a factor.
Other Classic Rock Songs in GTA San Andreas
While it does not have “Free Bird,” the K-DST classic rock station contains other iconic tunes:
- “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses
- “Killing in the Name” by Rage Against the Machine
- “Running Down a Dream” by Tom Petty
- “Animals” by Pink Floyd
- “Mother” by Danzig
- “Rainbow in the Dark” by Dio
These songs evoke the same feel of driving through the open worlds of GTA with the windows down. The soundtrack helps capture the rebellious spirit and freedom the games provide players.
Mods Add “Free Bird” to GTA San Andreas
There are mods (modifications) made by fans that add “Free Bird” to GTA San Andreas. By hacking into the game files on PC, they can insert the song into a radio station. However, these mods only work if playing the game on a computer. Console players on PS2, Xbox, or even modern consoles cannot install the mods.
Here are some of the most popular mods that add “Free Bird” to GTA San Andreas radio:
- AxelMod
- CleanUpSA
- ENB Mod
- Ultimate Graphics Mod
These fan-made mods show the passion players have for the game. They allow superfans to customize GTA San Andreas by injecting personal favorite songs like “Free Bird.” However, the average player is unable to experience these mods.
Where You Can Hear “Free Bird” in GTA Games
While absent from radio stations, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” has appeared elsewhere in GTA games:
Grand Theft Auto V
In GTA V, a parody cover version of “Free Bird” plays during a mission titled “Freefall.” In the mission, one of the protagonists must BASE jump off a building. As he leaps off the edge, a comical acoustic version with ridiculous lyrics plays.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
In one mission, two characters go to a rooftop concert. As the mission ends, an electric guitar part similar to “Free Bird” can be heard. This seems to be a direct reference to the famous guitar solo.
Conclusion
In summary, “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd does not appear on any of the radio stations in the original version of GTA San Andreas. Licensing issues, length, and a lack of emphasis on southern rock in the game seem the likely reasons. However, fan-made mods allow enterprising PC players to insert it into the game. And parody or reference versions of the iconic guitar solo exist in other GTA titles. For the average gamer though, the only way to experience “Free Bird” in GTA San Andreas is to play it separately in the background. The absence of the southern rock anthem does not detract from the diverse soundtrack that perfectly complements exploring the virtual world of San Andreas.