That Smell

Lynyrd Skynyrd

About That Smell

"That Smell" is a song by the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Written by Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Allen Collins, it was released in 1977 on the album Street Survivors. At the time the song was written, the band had been drinking and doing many different drugs. Van Zant had said that he started drinking heavily to relieve the pressure of performing in front of large audiences. Van Zant's inspiration for the song was the increasing reckless indulgences of the band members culminating in the evening when guitarist Gary Rossington got drunk and high and survived the crash of his new Ford Torino into an oak tree along Mandarin Road in Jacksonville, Florida, where the band was founded. Van Zant was thus inspired to write the song as a warning about the consequences of careless overuse of drugs and alcohol. The song earned Rossington the moniker "Prince Charming" from Van Zant. Later when asked, Van Zant said, "I had a creepy feeling things were going against us, so I thought I'd write a morbid song." The lyrics cautioned that "tomorrow might not be here for you", and that "the smell of death surrounds you". Three days after the album was released, the band was devastated by a plane crash killing several members including Van Zant. 


Year:
2006
5:50
79 
#1

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Whiskey bottles, and brand new cars 
Oak tree you're in my way 
There's too much coke and too much smoke 
Look what's going on inside you 
Ooooh that smell 
Can't you smell that smell 
Ooooh that smell 
The smell of death surrounds you 

Angel of darkness is upon you 
Stuck a needle in your arm 
So take another toke, have a blow for your nose 
One more drink fool, will drown you 
Ooooh that smell 
Can't you smell that smell 
Ooooh that smell 
The smell of death surrounds you

Now they call you Prince Charming 
Can't speak a word when you're full of 'ludes 
Say you'll be all right come tomorrow 
But tomorrow might not be here for you (yeah you)
Ooooh that smell 
Can't you smell that smell 
Ooooh that smell 
The smell of death surrounds you

Hey, you're a fool you 
Stick them needles in your arm 
I know I been there before

One little problem that confronts you 
Got a monkey on your back 
Just one more fix, Lord might do the trick 
One hell of a price for you to get your kicks 
Ooooh that smell 
Can't you smell that smell 
Ooooh that smell 
The smell of death surrounds you 
Ooooh that smell 
Can't you smell that smell 
Ooooh that smell 
The smell of death surrounds you

Hey, you're a fool you 
Stick them needles in your arm 
You're just a fool, just a fool, just a fool

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Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd (pronounced /ˌlɛnərd ˈskɪnərd/ LEN-ərd-SKIN-ərd) is an American rock band best known for popularizing the Southern hard rock genre during the 1970s. Originally formed in 1964 as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tunes "Sweet Home Alabama," and "Free Bird." At the peak of their success, three members died in an airplane crash in 1977, putting an abrupt end to the band's most popular incarnation. more »

22 fans

Written by: ALLEN COLLINS, RONNIE VAN ZANT

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Album
"That Smell" is a song by the American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. It is from their fifth studio album, "Street Survivors," which was released in 1977.
Inspiration
The song was written by Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Allen Collins as a warning to the band members about their excessive drug use.
Context
"That Smell" was written after Gary Rossington had a car accident due to drunk driving. The "smell" in the song refers to the smell of death, which symbolizes doom if the band members continue their reckless behavior.
Airplay
Despite the dark lyrics, the song was popular and regularly played on radio. It reached number 35 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
Pop Culture
It has appeared in various movies and TV shows, such as "The Wrestler" and "The Following".
Live Performances
Even after the tragic plane crash which killed several members of the band, including Ronnie Van Zant, Lynyrd Skynyrd continued to perform "That Smell" in their live shows. It remains one of their most popular songs.
Honorable Mention
Rolling Stone magazine has listed "That Smell" as one of the greatest guitar songs of all time.
Cover Versions
A number of artists have performed covers of this song, including Kid Rock and hard rock band Warrant.
Song Length
The original track length for "That Smell" is 5 minutes and 47 seconds.
Other Versions
There is an alternate version of the song, which is featured on the reissued version of the album Street Survivors and on the 2001 compilation album Thyrty: The 30th Anniversary Collection. This alternate version is slightly less than a minute longer than the original song.

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