Saturday Night Special
Lynyrd Skynyrd
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Two feet they come a creepin' Like a black cat do And two bodies are layin' naked A creeper think he got nothin' to lose So he creeps into this house, yeah And unlocks the door And as a man's reaching for his trousers Shoots him full of thirty-eight holes Mr. Saturday night special Got a barrel that's blue and cold Ain't good for nothin' But put a man six feet in a hole Big Jim's been drinkin' whiskey And playin' poker on a losin' night And pretty soon ol' Jim starts a thinkin' Somebody been cheatin' and lyin' So Big Jim commence to fightin' I wouldn't tell you no lie Big Jim done pulled his pistol Shot his friend right between the eyes Mr. Saturday night special Got a barrel that's blue and cold Ain't good for nothin' But put a man six feet in a hole Oh, it's the Saturday night special, for twenty dollars you can buy yourself one too Hand guns are made for killin' They ain't no good for nothin' else And if you like to drink your whiskey You might even shoot yourself So why don't we dump 'em people To the bottom of the sea Before some ol' fool come around here Wanna shoot either you or me Mr. Saturday night special You got a barrel that's blue and cold You ain't good for nothin' But put a man six feet in a hole Mr. the Saturday night special And I'd like to tell you what you could do with it And that's the end of the song
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Written by: Edward C. King, Ronnie Van Zant
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Creation"Saturday Night Special" was released by Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1975, appearing on their album "Nuthin' Fancy".
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InspirationThe song's title is derived from the term 'Saturday Night Special,' common slang for a cheap, small-caliber handgun. The nickname is believed to originate from the gun’s supposed popularity during Saturday night altercations.
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Lyrics MeaningThe lyrics openly speak out against gun violence, with lines such as “Handguns are made for killin'/ Ain’t no good for nothin’ else”, demonstrating a clear anti-gun stance, which is unusual for a Southern rock band.
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SongwritersThe song was written by the band's frontman Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Ed King. The lyrics, coupled with uniquely powerful music, reflects Lynyrd Skynyrd's distinctiveness as a band.
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Pop CultureThe song has been used in several films and TV series, including "The Longest Yard" (1974) and "Detroit Rock City" (1999).
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Album Success"Nuthin' Fancy," the album featuring "Saturday Night Special," reached #9 on the Billboard 200, proving its popularity despite the song's controversial stance on gun control.
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Live Performances"Saturday Night Special" is frequently performed at Lynyrd Skynyrd live shows. During live performances, the band often extends the song with jam sections.
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Unexpected StandFor a group from the Deep South where guns are part of the culture, taking a stand against handguns was both surprising and impactful.
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Tragic IronyThe song embodies a tragic irony as several years after its release, the band suffered a horrific plane crash, causing the death of several members, including song co-writer Ronnie Van Zant.
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Stamp of the 70sThe song remains a staple of 70s rock, showcasing the yearning for social commentary amidst the era's rock anthems.
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Citation
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"Saturday Night Special Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 20 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/26824491/Lynyrd+Skynyrd/Saturday+Night+Special>.
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