Free Bird is an iconic rock song that was performed by the American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was released as a single by the band in November 1974 and was also the closing track on their album Second Helping. Free Bird is considered to be Lynyrd Skynyrd’s signature song and it helped cement their status as one of the most popular Southern Rock bands of the 1970s.
Who Wrote Free Bird?
Free Bird was written by two of the founding members of Lynyrd Skynyrd – lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Allen Collins. Though Van Zant is credited as the sole songwriter, Collins came up with the famous triple guitar solo section of the song. Free Bird was born out of jam sessions between Collins and Van Zant where they experimented with different chord progressions and guitar parts. The name “Free Bird” was coined by Van Zant who remarked that the song represented the freedom he felt being a musician and always being on the road.
When Was Free Bird Released?
Album | Release Date |
---|---|
Second Helping | April 15, 1974 |
Free Bird first appeared on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s second studio album Second Helping which was released on April 15, 1974. It was the final track on the original album, clocking in at over 9 minutes. This studio version featured the full length guitar solo by Collins, Van Zant’s impassioned vocals and organ accompaniment by Billy Powell.
As a Single
While Free Bird first gained popularity as an album track, it was also released as a single in edited form in November 1974. The single edit cut the song’s running time down to 4:59 by removing most of the extended guitar solo section. This allowed radio stations to play Free Bird without dedicating over 9 minutes to a single song. The edited single reached #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1975, giving Lynyrd Skynyrd their first major hit song.
Legendary Guitar Solos
One of the key elements that makes Free Bird so iconic and memorable is the blazing guitar solo section. It features dueling guitar parts by Allen Collins and fellow guitarist Gary Rossington. Collins handled the first two solos then Rossington takes over seamlessly for the third and final solo. Together they trade licks back and forth for over two minutes of blistering electric guitar playing. This part alone cemented Free Bird as a cornerstone of Southern rock guitar.
Some key facts about the famous Free Bird guitar solo:
- Lasts over 2 minutes from 5:08 to 7:23 in the original studio version
- Features 3 back-to-back solos, 2 by Allen Collins and 1 by Gary Rossington
- Guitars used were Gibson Les Pauls plugged into Marshall amplifiers
- Helped establish Lynyrd Skynyrd’s status as an elite guitar band
- Ranked #3 on Guitar World’s 100 Greatest Guitar Solos list
The Free Bird solo remains a rite of passage for budding Southern rock guitarists and is still considered one of the pinnacles of 70s rock guitar playing.
Lyrical Themes
Aside from the music, the lyrics of Free Bird also contribute to its enduring popularity and emotional resonance with listeners. Written solely by Ronnie Van Zant, the words tackle themes of loneliness, longing and trying to overcome challenges.
Key Lyrical Themes:
- Being trapped in an unsatisfying relationship
- Feeling like freedom is just out of reach
- “If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?”
- Wishing to fly away from problems like a free bird
The lyrics take on an even more poignant meaning after Ronnie Van Zant’s death in a plane crash in 1977 cut his life short at just 29 years old. Lines like “If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?” have added resonance considering Van Zant’s untimely passing.
Legacy and Pop Culture Impact
Since its release in 1974, Free Bird has become a true rock anthem and taken on a cultural significance far beyond just being a hit song. Here are some of the key marks it has left on pop culture over the decades:
Use in Movies/TV
- Appeared in films like Forrest Gump, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Cowboys & Aliens among others
- Infamous scene of Will Ferrell yelling “You’re my boy Blue!” in Old School features Free Bird
- Used in TV shows The Office, Family Guy, Scrubs and more
“Free Bird” Audience Requests
It became a cultural joke for audiences to yell “Free Bird!” as a request at any rock concert, regardless of the band playing. Some examples:
- Yelled at Bob Dylan shows in the 70s much to his annoyance
- Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson would mock the request at shows in the 80s
- The band Phish covered it over 200 times live as fans always requested it
Guitar Hero Game
The song was included as one of the most challenging tracks in the popular video game Guitar Hero II, introducing it to a new generation of music fans.
“The Bird” Legend
Fans speak of “The Bird” in revered terms when discussing the famous Free Bird guitar solo. It is considered a rite of passage for guitarists to attempt to play.
Conclusion
In summary, Free Bird was performed and recorded by Southern rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd. Written by Ronnie Van Zant and Allen Collins, it first appeared on their 1974 album Second Helping before being edited into a hit single version. The iconic multi-guitar solo cemented it as a legendary rock song. Over the decades, it became engrained in pop culture through movies, TV and video games while taking on an almost mythic status among guitarists and fans. Nearly 50 years later, Free Bird remains the song Lynyrd Skynyrd is most closely identified with and a bona fide rock anthem.