Talk:Sweet Home Alabama (song)

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It should be noted that Van Zant was a friend and admirer of Neil Young, and that "Sweet Home Alabama" was meant to be a good natured response ... Also, the mention of Watergate is a reference to Wallace's presidential Candidacy.

Contents 1 Bad description 2 The "Governor" Lines 3 In Agreement with the posts above 4 Natural Beauty and Muscle Shoals 5 Several Problems 6 Song Tune & Name 7 Factual Inaccuracy? 8 CMT 9 Used in soundtrack? 10 Interesting tidbit 11 Actual motivation behind lyrics 12 Clayton and King 13 Drew Daniel 14 CoJack 15 The End Of The Song Question 16 MOJO interview w/ Young

[edit] Bad description

This article seem rather inaccurate from what I have heard about Skynyrd and the song. First problem is that says the song praises George Wallace. Both from what I can hear from the song and from what I have read in interviews etc., the song is denouncing Wallace, not praising him. The line goes "In Birmingham they loved the governor", followed by a refrain of "boo boo boo", which is usually negative. The next line goes "Now we all did what we could do", which sounds like it's implying they did what they could to keep Wallace out of office.

The second problem is the claim that the song is in support of Watergate; this is even more ridiculous. Skynyrd mention Watergate in order to point out that the North isn't completely blameless itself and so perhaps Northerners should stop being so judgemental. "Watergate does not bother me, does your conscience bother you?" is there to tell Neil Young that Southerners don't go around singing songs about the Watergate scandal, so maybe Young should lay off them.

Considering Van Zant's interest in numerous African-American music artists and the complete lack of sense it would make to randomly praise the Watergate scandal in a pro-Southern song, I think this explanation of the song makes a lot more sense.--Zoso Jade 18:45, July 25, 2005 (UTC)

Interesting points. My opinion is that in the interest of verifiability, the article needs to refrain from interpreting the song at all. If we want to quote the songwriter talking about his intentions, that's great as long as it's properly sourced. It'd be great to avoid "many people claim" type of sentences if possible. Friday 19:01, 25 July 2005 (UTC)

I agree with the above writer, Friday. The article's author obviously has his/her own interpretation, which is fine. The author seems intent on slanting it one way. I think the better course is to leave the interpretation to the listener of the song.

My opinion on the interpretation is that you can't separate the 'Governor' and 'Watergate' lyrics. The whole point is not to make an outright political statement and disect what Van Zant is saying, but to cause a personal examination. Hence the last line, "Does your conscious bother you?", which ties both verses together. You have to peel the onion beyond the two political examples. The point of the verse is being careful about throwing stones: we all have our issues. Not so ironically this is EXACTLY why all of the political opinions or interpretations need to be removed from the article. Simply say that the song continues to spark debate, which is the genius of the song. [Non-registered user; 7/11/06]

[edit] The "Governor" Lines

The explanation of the "they love the governor" verse makes sense, but what about the line near the end of the song ("Where the skies are so blue / and the governor's true"). That sounds to me like a positive statement about him.

Also, I think you could read the "we all did what we could do" line differently--perhaps as a statement that they did what they could do to prevent integration. Under this interpretation, "Watergate does not bother me" could mean that Southerners are looking on with satisfaction while the Northerners who harassed them are mired in scandal. The only words that don't make any sense under this reading are "boo boo boo," unless you interpret these to be meaningless sounds.

RE "and the governor's true" - I took this as another attack on Richard Nixon Conch Shell 30 June 2005 08:04 (UTC)

I'm not sure that this line is supposed to be tied to Nixon. But if it is, then it undercuts the theory that the song is bashing Wallace, doesn't it? It seems a bit of a stretch to read the song as saying "Wallace is bad, but at least he's 'true', unlike Nixon, who is worse because he's not 'true'."

I think Van Zant is basically saying "Our Governor may be a bigot but at least he's honest, unlike your President." Conch Shell 1 July 2005 16:24 (UTC)

I second Conch's theory... it makes more sense under this explanation of the song. --Zoso Jade 18:45, July 25, 2005 (UTC)

Not sure how Nixon became a Northerner - he was from California.--Jack Upland 02:36, 8 January 2006 (UTC)

'Northern' refers to the seat of power. Conch Shell 08:59, 9 January 2006 (UTC)

Which part of the lyrics say this?--Jack Upland 02:09, 10 January 2006 (UTC)

We're talking about their interpretation. Conch Shell 10:09, 12 January 2006 (UTC)

I think you should consult Occam's razor. By the way, 'true' referring to a person doesn't mean 'honest' but 'loyal and faithful'. And we know what George 'Segregation Forever' Wallace was faithful to.--Jack Upland 02:13, 17 January 2006 (UTC)

It does in the US - checkout the Budweiser adverts. Conch Shell 09:08, 17 January 2006 (UTC)

I've removed the boo-boo lines because:

• The words aren't included in the lyrics on the band's official site
• There isn't even agreement that that's what they are singing (sounds like woo-hoo-hoo to me)

Jgm 04:40, 9 March 2006 (UTC)

It's all a little tricky, because it's "they love the governor / we all did what we could do." It's not clear if the first-person singer is saying that he himself loves the governor. - Jmabel | Talk 22:35, 17 September 2006 (UTC)

I can't even believe there is an argument. The lines are blatantly "boo boo boo", if you can't hear that in even the most casual listen to the song you need to see a doctor. As an Aussie, I didnt really understand the significance of those lines until hearing of this debate. Surely this yet another example of Yanks looking for any excuse at all to badmouth the south. Good on LS for sticking it to those hypocritical northerners.--ABVS 05:11, 20 October 2006 (UTC)

I have heard the song many times, and it sounds to me like "Boo, hoo, hoo!" and not "Boo, boo, boo!" --Revolver66 19:49, 24 October 2006 (UTC)

Again, find something citable. - Jmabel | Talk 21:28, 26 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] In Agreement with the posts above

First of all a listener would need to read and listen to the lyrics of the songs. Much like a poem it would be a wise measure to digest the directions one could interpret Sweet Home Alabama before posting something publicly.

Whomever wrote the interpretation on Wikipedia could be entirely incorrect? How would you feel as a Southerner reading Neil Young's lyrics in a time of turmoil (Vietnam, Nixon) and following civil rights movement?

If you study the economy and industrialization of Birmingham (steel, manufacturing) a small Pittsburgh, PA in some ways, Neil Young's comments seem too generalized.

Write a song about Eugene Bull Connor and his police force, or Wallace himself. Read parts of Young's songs below.

It's good to think about and healthy to discuss our history and culture in our songs. There are some other powerful songs on civil rights type themes: Dylan James Meredith, Emmet Till, Birmingham Bombing (Joan Baez, beautiful song)...

Here are some lyric samples. WIKIPEDIA, get some help!

Chorus to Neil Young's Southern Man

Southern man better keep your head Don't forget what your good book said Southern change gonna come at last Now your crosses are burning fast Southern man

I heard screamin' and bullwhips cracking How long? How long?

Lyric Samples from Neil Young Alabama

Alabama, you got the weight on your shoulders That's breaking your back. Your Cadillac has got a wheel in the ditch And a wheel on the track

Oh Alabama. Can I see you and shake your hand. Make friends down in Alabama. I'm from a new land I come to you and see all this ruin What are you doing Alabama? You got the rest of the union to help you along What's going wrong?

Strange fact: "George Wallace was the governor of Alabama when this was released. He loved this, especially the line, "In Birmingham they love the governor." He made the band honorary Lieutenant Colonels in the state militia."

There is some lively discussion at this website: http://www.songfacts.com/detail.lasso?id=1702

[edit] Natural Beauty and Muscle Shoals

Much of "Sweet Home Alabama" sings the praises of Alabama's natural beauty

The only example of this I can find in the lyrics is that the sky is blue (hardly unique to Alabama). Unless someone else can find anything else, I propose this be deleted. It's just part of the attempt to play down the political nature of this song.

Secondly, what is the significance of Muscle Shoals recording Afro-American artists? This isn't mentioned in the song, is it?

It's significant because it acknowledges the contribution of African-Americans to Alabama culture. The song doesn't mention that the governor was a segregationist either, but people have seized on this point. Conch Shell 10:59, 1 December 2005 (UTC)

All this rebel BS - but no one wants to stick to their guns!--Jack Upland 03:48, 1 December 2005 (UTC)

"The lyrics also express admiration for the music from Muscle Shoals studios, which mainly produced recordings by African-American artists."

On further investigation, this is false so I've removed it from the article. The song refers to the Swampers, a nickname for the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, who have been described as "four white boys". The fact that the studio recorded black performers is a red herring.

How many rock songs mention politicians anyway? Wallace was a world famous segregationist and I'm sure Lynyrd Skynyrd knew this.--Jack Upland 02:52, 7 December 2005 (UTC)

Which is probably why the words:

In Birmingham they love the governor

Are followed by the backing-singers singing:

Boo, Boo, Boo

Conch Shell 09:16, 7 December 2005 (UTC)

I think that's probably meaningless mouth-music. How do you explain the later line 'And the governor's true'? And why mention Wallace if the intention is to boo him? Surely this would only detract from the image of 'Sweet Home Alabama'. None of these attempts to rescue the song from its pro-Segregationist tone deal with the lyrics as a whole.--Jack Upland 02:03, 13 December 2005 (UTC)

This has already been discussed in The "Governor" Lines section. Lynyrd Skynyrd made it clear that they condemned segregation in the lyrics to Things Goin' On. Conch Shell 10:48, 12 December 2005 (UTC)

True. But you brought it up. I have demonstrated that the discussion of 'Natural Beauty' and 'Muscle Shoals' in the original article were false. In fact, much of the discussion has NOTHING to do with the actual song. And bringing up a different song is also totally irrelevant.

It's not irrelevant when the subject matter overlaps. Conch Shell 09:29, 14 December 2005 (UTC)

I think the truth is that Lynyrd and their fans - as shown in this article - have been backing away from the song ever since it was released. Doesn't change the original song.--Jack Upland 02:38, 16 December 2005 (UTC)

There's nothing to back away from - even Neil Young performed the song on stage. Conch Shell 09:14, 16 December 2005 (UTC)

I wonder if Peter Andre will record a version of the song called 'Sweet Home Cronulla'? Barnaby Wild 16:48, 16 December 2005 (UTC)

I guess Neil Young didn't think that verse referred to him...--Jack Upland 00:57, 19 December 2005 (UTC)

Or he realized that it was a good natured response Conch Shell 12:55, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

It just sounds like they attempted to reconcile later. What does "good natured" really mean? Issues like segregation and lynching hardly lend themselves to "good natured" banter. Once again there's just a state of denial about the lyrics.--Jack Upland 23:17, 3 January 2006 (UTC)

"good natured" refers to Van Zant's attitude to Young's criticisms. Are you implying Young condoned segregation and lynchings by performing the song? Conch Shell 10:12, 4 January 2006 (UTC)

As I said, it sounds like they tried to reconcile. That's got nothing to do with the content of the song.--Jack Upland 02:33, 8 January 2006 (UTC)

Whether the "Muscle Shoals" reference has anything to do with race relations or not, it's a component of the song and should be addressed. A reader of the article will at least understand what the reference means; at the present point, 08.10.06, that would not happen with the article as it stands. I'm from Alabama and I have to explain to people what the reference means, as Muscle Shoals no longer has the cachet it had in the time period in which the song debuted. Gorjus 17:19, 10 August 2006 (UTC), 10 August 2006.

Also did a few minor grammatical clean-ups and sources the Muscle Shoals reference to the Alabama Hall of Fame. Gorjus 17:19, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Several Problems

The Watergate dispute has been resolved, ok. In the song, "Boo, boo, boo" is not in the actual lyrics, but Van Zant ad-libbed that, and that obviously doesn't show support for Wallace. So it's confusing that they say "the governor's true," because that does sound like support for him. We should just say that it's unclear what they mean by that, since they seem to contradict their feelings toward Wallace in the song.--WatchHawk 18:37, 7 May 2006 (UTC)

I don't see how Watergate has been resolved. Your change of "support" to "criticism" (of Wallace) doesn't make sense so I've changed it back. The controversy has been generated by the apparent support of Wallace (whether or not this is true) and that's what the intro refers to. Anyway, the theme of the song is summed up in the title, "Sweet Home Alabama", and I fail to see why there would be repeated references to the Governor if he was considered a blemish on the state. As discussed before the "booing" is ambiguous.--Jack Upland 03:23, 8 May 2006 (UTC)

The two references to Wallace are only problematic if you assume that the song is intended only as unequivocal praise of Alabama. Many listeners do interpret the song in this way, but that's not the only reasonable interpretation. The song might have been intended to mean that Alabama is great DESPITE its flaws, like having Wallace as governor, and an attempt to point out that while "In Birmingham they love the governor" not all Alabamans support him (the booing, which I do not consider ambiguous, and "We all did what we could do"). I favor this interpretation myself. One could even read the song as being a slam at Alabama that sarcastically praises the state by mentioning that the "governor's true" when that governor is a notorious racist. I doubt this was the original intent, but I could easily imagine a modern left-wing artist singing a similar song (in America the skies are so blue and the President's true) and intending it to be both anti-Bush and a criticism of American complaceny. CKarnstein 03:53, 31 May 2006 (UTC)

The lyrics "Boo! boo! boo!" (complete with chords, F C D) after the governor reference are in the "Lynyrd Skynryd Greatest Hits" songbook for piano/vocal/guitar, published by Hal Leonard. In the songbook the song is credited as "Words and Music by RONNIE VAN ZANT, ED KING, and GARY ROSSINGTON" (capitalization theirs). The copyright date for the song is given as 1974. Note that it doesn't say "rearranged by" or "additional lyrics by". Therefore one must conclude that, even if the "Boo boo boo" line was not part of the song when first performed (unclear), it was added shortly thereafter, and is the "definitive" line now. If somebody else can provide an official (preferably printed) source showing the lyrics as "woo woo woo" or something else, I'd love to see it. 13:58, 10 May 2006 (UTC)

So how does this fit with the rest of the lyrics? Were they attempting to run away from their original song, as previously suggested?--Jack Upland 09:01, 11 May 2006 (UTC)

The "boo boo boo" interjection is not, in fact, included in the lyrics at the official Lynyrd Skynyrd website [1]. Sheet music for pop/rock songs is generated by third parties and what they chose to include should not be taken as reflecting the intent of the songwriters. In any event, the article as currently worded (. . . includes lyrics which have sometimes been interpreted as expressing support of then-Governor George Wallace and later a lengthy paragraph detailing all sides of the controversy) is completely factually accurate and does not claim to know the actual intent of the songwriters. Jgm 11:11, 11 May 2006 (UTC)

I think the fact that the album cover is of a confederate flag says it all. It has been a method of antagonation for blacks for a hundred years. This certainly was the view in the mid 1970s. The whole "the flag is a symbol of our culture" thing has never held up in argument.--Mark 2000 20:18, 13 May 2006 (UTC)

Perhaps it dosen't hold up, but many *did* and still do buy that argument and innocently use it without harboring any ill intent to other races. Perception is "reality" and therefore the use of the Confederate flag does not "say it all." - anon

The official website doesn't include the "I said excuse me" line on Gimme Three Steps either. I know Wallace was a segregationist, but think...did he do anything for the state? (I mean, he can't have spent years in Montgomery saying "keep the niggers out!") I am not racist, just a thought...

Wallace was famous for being a segregationist; this is what he was 'true' to. And this occurs in the context of the song which attacks Neil Young's portrayal of the South as racist.--Jack Upland 03:44, 31 May 2006 (UTC)

Many blacks would tell you they "prefer" a racist who is upfront rather than one who pretends to be their friend while holding racist postitions, at least in the former case you are prepared and are not subject to falling into the trap of trusting. In other words, the lyrics could simply mean at least in the South the racists are clear, while in the North you hide your racism behind a facade of tolerance and therefore cause even more damage. - anon

For what it's worth I'm not a Northerner.--Jack Upland 05:51, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Is it confirmed that the lines actually are "and the governer's true?" I always thought this line was in fact "where the skies are so blue (and the governers, too)", which if anything shows support for the democrats. Which I'll agree makes a lot less sense in the states than it does in Australia where blue is the colour of the Liberals (centre-conservatives). At any rate. Is this adlibbed line confirmed?--ABVS 05:18, 20 October 2006 (UTC)

The Red=Republicans, Blue=Democrats thing is fairly recent (I think Reagan states were shown as blue in the 84 election, at least on one channel) so since the song is from 1974 I don't expect that this is the case.—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 167.181.12.201 (talk • contribs) 22 February 2007.

[edit] Song Tune & Name

Personally i think that it's just a great song that should be appreciated and not criticized for its content, who cares if they like a governor that wants segregation, who cares about any of this, its just a great song and we should remember the dead not by saying that they are good or bad, but just by appreciating themCharliejr 17:22, 1 June 2006 (UTC)

So listen to the song and don't look it up in an encyclopedia!--Jack Upland 02:43, 2 June 2006 (UTC)

yeah, i was just looking for lyrics, but personally to me it sounds like he wrote the song while going back to Alabama in the tour bus (hence big wheels keep on turning, and the various lyrics that stated, lord I'm coming home to you, and here i come Alabama) and was just reminiscing about his home state, the Neil young line was just defending his and his states honor. as far as the governor part goes, if he was reminiscing more than likely it was a different governor in the time he remembered and therefore the lines would go smoothly. i would think if you found the years that he was living in Alabama and looked for what governor was there at the time you would find a true, honest, and very likeable man that would fit the song perfectly. but then there is the Watergate thing, to me it sounds like again he is just sticking up for his home state. as far as muscle shoals go maybe it was one of the inspirations to him to start his music, he even states that they pick him up when hes blue which coalesces with my point of them inspiring him. also in reply to your comment, i actually was listening to the song at the time.Charliejr 03:13, 2 June 2006 (UTC)

None of the individuals listed as authors of the some were from Alabama, nor did they ever live in Alabama. They were Floridians, except for Ed King, who was from California. Ed originally was in the Strawberry Alarm Clock (Incense Peppermint). This doesn't detract from their ability to write a song about Alabama, but to say that they were writing a song about returning to "their" state is erroneous.

I grew up listening to this song. It was released when I was nine years old and I have lived in Alabama all of my life. We did not view the song as a condemnation or approval of segregation/racism. We viewed the verses about Neil Young as trying to tell him (and others) to keep their noses out of the South because they needed to clean up their own house first before the came down here telling us how dirty ours was. Segregation existed everywhere in the US, only in the South it was by law (de jure) and in the North it was by common agreement (de facto) of residents. None-the-less, the outcome was the same-blacks went to one school, whites to another. To have a Northerner come down here and tell us to change our ways while the same thing was going on up north, only by different means, was galling to us. I remember well the riots by white Bostonians protesting forced busing ten years after it had been first imposed on the South. And they were supposed to be the "enlightened" ones.

Birmingham did love the Governor, as did the rest of the state, although personally I could not stand him and did not vote for him later on. George Wallace, by the early 1970's had backed away from his overt racial politics. George was a true populist-he said and did what he thought would get him elected. By 1973 (and earlier), he pretty much had realized that "standing in the schoolhouse door" would not get him elected to national office and so he had moderated his views, which were, by various accounts, pro-civil rights earlier in his life. His views supposedly changed in the 1950's when he was defeated by John Patterson for governor, who remained racist in true form most of his life.

Watergate does not bother me, especially when compared to the lie told by LBJ in 1964 to entangle us even more deeply into Vietnam. When compared to that, Watergate truly does not bother me either. I see the verse as saying that, yes, Nixon lied to the country, but "let he who is without guilt cast the first stone" and we now know that there was plenty to go around.

The Muscle Shoals verse is simply a verse about a recording studio on the Tennessee River that had session players that were friends to the group.

Best Regards,

Jeff

Sorry to be repetitive, but none of these comments properly acknowledge the content of the song. I don't see why Neil Young, a Canadian, should accept the blame for what happened in Boston. I don't see what the connection is to Watergate - or the Vietnam War. And finally I don't see why they mentioned Wallace if they didn't want to stand defiantly in favour of his politics.--Jack Upland 06:12, 4 June 2006 (UTC)

PS Why was the section "Summing Up" deleted from this page?--Jack Upland 00:05, 12 June 2006 (UTC)

Epistemologically, Jack, your statements contain an increasingly large stance of bias. You attempt through logical elimination to demonstrate that Skynyrd was expressing support of Wallace. It gives your argument a slant which demonstrates some kind of bias you wish to inject into it. In my honest opinion, I think that this whole site must be resolved fully by eliminating all sources of this bias. All references to content must be axed, and only fully referenced and accurate statements be left within its contents. Wallace, segregation and Watergate do not add to the artistic or factual value of the song or its description, and do not belong cross referenced within this article. As a responsible community of users of this public domain, we must remember that we propogate facts, NOT conspiracy. 19:20, 12 June 2006 (UTC)

No conspiracy theory, just a wish that the cultural references in the song be explained. In my opinion it is biased to "axe" any references to Wallace etc. (Incidentally, I only came upon this article when trying to find out why the song was considered racist, so in fact I had no preconceived opinions.)--Jack Upland 09:16, 14 June 2006 (UTC)

No preconceived notions? From the increasing rancor of your rhetoric it is apparant you have a anti-Southern bias, and that notion is preconceived enough that seeing a discussion about a pro-South song would bring out relevant preconcieved biases that would end up fitting despite your claimed ignorance about the song anyway. - Anon

Yes, my rancour did increase in the course of this editing process in reaction to the 'weasel words' approach of the self-proclaimed defenders of the song (who don't appear to be Southerners anyway).--Jack Upland 05:56, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Factual Inaccuracy?

Can someone list the supposed inaccuracies? It appears to be a case of fans not liking the song criticised or even analysed.--Jack Upland 00:13, 2 July 2006 (UTC)

I'd support Jack Upland's comment. The article looks fine to me - interesting, analytical, and open to different interpretations of the song. One thing, though - that "Boo, boo, boo" may not be in the official lyrics, but it's clear as day on the track. Nmg20 23:26, 14 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] CMT

CMT had this song at #1 on their countdown of greatest southern rock songs. Should that be included?--Yugioh73036 16:24, 6 July 2006 (UTC)Yugioh73036

Agreed, should be added.Zchris87v 07:18, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

I put it in.--Yugioh73036 16:21, 31 July 2006 (UTC)Yugioh73036

another problem with the factual accuracy is that none of the band members are from alabama. someone mentioned that they were returning to their home state, but since they were from jacksonvill, fl this claim is false. they had recently been in alabama to record their album, and they wrote this song to thank the great people they had met in alabama.Auburntiger 01:28, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Used in soundtrack?

Isn't Sweet Home Alabama used as the main feature song in the Nicole Kidman film To Die For?

Not to mention a series of KFC commercials- many of which feature black families.

I don't think this article can mention every use of this very popular song.--Jack Upland 05:48, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

jacksonville, fl.

[edit] Interesting tidbit

One fun fact/tidbit that this article misses is that when Neil Young is first referenced, a short snippet of his song "Southern Man" plays in the background. (Right channel, I believe.)

Was that the piano lick after "I heard ol' Neil put her down"?Zchris87v 07:18, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

Actually it occurs right after "Well, I heard Mr. Young sing about her..." It's only a short snippet, just the words "Southern Man." - anon

Just listened to it, not actually from the Neil Young song. An earlier comment was deleted that stated it was Al Kooper saying that in a mocking manner, which I believe it was. For some reason, that line of this article was deleted. I just listened to it, it's definitely there, but not an actual clip from Southern Man. It's sung differently. Zchris87v 18:46, 29 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Actual motivation behind lyrics

To be honest, people have formulated their own ideas on what the lyrics mean, but Ronnie never stated what it meant. No one knows if the Neil Young thing was 'in good fun', or if they meant to put Wallace down (they were actually awarded, I forgot with what, I think made marshalls in alabama or something by him), but the point is that these are all theories. It needs to be stated that "some theories on the lyrics are..." because that's what they are - just what we suppose the song is about. None of you are Ronnie, Allen, or Gary. So please, remember these assumptions are all YOUR INTERPRETATIONS!!! Thanks. Zchris87v 07:18, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

• Wikipedia is not the place to publish original interpretations of artistic works (See WP:NOR). So if there is to be discussion in the article about the meaning of the lyrics, reference should be made to previously-published work. We don't need a bunch of "some theories on the lyrics are..." we need things like " BusinessWeek commentator David Kiley criticized KFC's use of "Sweet Home Alabama" in an advertising campaign, saying that the song "has long been an anthem for defending the Confederacy." [2]. (I'm sure there are more authoritative analyses to be found... that's just the first thing Google came up with). --Dystopos 18:58, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Clayton and King

Remarkably, until I just edited, no one had pointed out that the background vocals on the recording are Merry Clayton and Clydie King. As it happens, both are African American, which probably deserves mention in the article, but I'll leave that to someone else. - Jmabel | Talk 22:38, 17 September 2006 (UTC)

Maybe the band had their shoes shined by African Americans. Maybe this should be researched by some other sad sack.--Jack Upland 05:06, 6 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Drew Daniel

Would anyone have access to a copy of Drew Daniel's paper/essay "How to Sing Along with 'Sweet Home Alabama'", which I heard him present at the 2006 Pop Conference at Experience Music Project? I'm not sure if it's been published, but it was very insightful, including discussion of the distinction between the Van Zant's somewhat ambiguous and ambivalent intent and the much less complex anthemic use of the song or, as Christopher Monsen puts it, "invoked versus taken meaning". [3]

The abstract of Daniel's talk is online.

By the way, the "punchline" of Daniels' talk is that you should remain silent until the line "Does your conscience bother you" and then belt that out as loudly as you can. - Jmabel | Talk 22:48, 17 September 2006 (UTC)

Well, obviously there are a number of uneasy consciences, given the intellectually dubious offerings on this page.--Jack Upland 05:09, 6 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] CoJack

It's good to see that Ronnie's spirit is alive and kicking on this page. It would seem that part of the allure of his music is the mystery within the words. First are the facts: He was from FLORIDA not Alabama. He was very proud of this. I see that some of the content on this website has deleted some things, but has not made any change to the reference to Lynyrd Skynyrd writing the song about their home. All other references about race amd the north/south thing were fodder from which Ronnie used to get people to think. Yes some of what I say is unofficial theory, but if you do some research, it becomes more than theory. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.110.7.42 (talk • contribs) 13 October 2006.

In fact, none of the three writers of the song were originally from Alabama. I've added that to the article. Thanks for mentioning it. - Jmabel | Talk 04:16, 16 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] The End Of The Song Question

I can't believe you people. Are you for real? You talked about the song, the lyrics, the this, the that. You forgot the fundamentally most important thing about this song. Namely: WHAT THE HECK IS BEING MUMBLED AT THE END OF THE SONG? This is one of the hottest debated questions in all of rock history. For example, I always thought the words were, "I'M STONED AND IT'S HAPPENING!" —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 70.118.28.15 (talk • contribs) 14 November 2006.

I can't imagine how you think this is "the fundamentally most important thing about this song", but if a significant number of other people think that it is important at all, you should be able to come up with something citable for this. - Jmabel | Talk 23:51, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] MOJO interview w/ Young

Could someone possibly track down a clean citation for what is described in the article as a 1992 interview w/ Neil Young by Nick Kent in MOJO? [4] more or less cites for the quotation (they leave out the word "shit", though), but says it was 1995 and doesn't mention Kent. I don't see anything else online that doesn't derive from us. - Jmabel | Talk 04:22, 29 November 2006 (UTC)