FIRST TIME HEARING Lynyrd Skynyrd - That Smell REACTION

They’re saying the smell of death surrounds you

The song’s about one of the band members Gary Rossington’s southern rock lifestyle , addiction to drugs, alcohol and brush with death in a car accident as stated in the opening lyrics “ whiskey, bottles, brand, new cars, Oaktree you’re in my way” . “That Smell” is referring to the smell of death that surrounded him at that time in his life. “Leonard Skinnard”was their gym teacher from high school who always haunted the kids. He would always catch them doing things they weren’t suppose to be doing like smoking weed. Things got so bad with the teacher that if they were sitting in a house alone and heard something in the next room the kids would say it’s Leonard Skinnerd. They named the band Lynyrd Skynyrd referring to him.

The smell of death is around you from doing to many drugs . That's what the song is about.

That's funny you took a little toke when he said take a little toke

This is the original cover of the album, Street Survivors, that you're showing. When the plane crashed on October 20th 1977, the album was to come out on the 23rd, so the record company freaked out and had to scramble to change the album cover as the band was surrounded by flames.

That smell is the smell of death, it;s right there in the lyrics

he says what smell in the song..the smell of DEATH..surrounds you ;)

You need to start doing lyrics as rock and metal have deep meanings and you are missing alot of what's going on in the song.

This is an anti-drug song, “The smell of death surrounds you.” One of the three guitarists, Gary Rossington had done qualudes, cocaine and was drunk and wrapped his car around an Oak tree. He caused the band to postpone their tour, and he was fined $10,000. Most of the band were in their mid-20s by this time, and were trying to clean up their lives. It was a warning to Gary that he wouldn’t live long the way he was living. Sadly, three days after this album was released, the lead singer, Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and his sister and backup singer, Cassie Gaines were killed in a plane crash.

Grew up with Lynyrd Skynyrd. That smell in those days meant so many things. You forget the times of Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll. The smell of good weed, cocaine and whiskey. Chasing the Dragon, smoking heroin. Drinking whiskey and moonshine. Not to mention LSD and Quaaludes along with other barbiturates. Times were wild and death was always a possibility. With all that said, I wouldn’t can a thing! Glad to have lived through it!😎

They wrote this terrific song with a very serious message that they were trying to convey about the excessive use of drugs and alcohol and the very possible chance of overdose or deadly accidents etc. Which could lead to death!! That Smell ( the smell of death that surrounds you) in other words Wake up, and Really Think of What You're Doing to Yourself and What It Could Cost You!!

Lol, y’all not listening to the lyrics AT ALL! He literally says in the chorus “the smell of death surrounds you” The entire song is about alcohol and drugs.

That Smell and their song The Needle and the Spoon were both 70's interventions done Skynyrd-style!

03:50 YOU ARE THE SMELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That Smell in the song means you're going to die if you keep it up. Plain and simple,,,

LYNNYRD SKYNNYRD, "THAT SMELL". Referring to the rock, and roll /drugs , and alcohol life style. With reality life style effecting certain members of the band. According to Singer Van Zant, in an interview. The Smell, was Referring to the smell of death around you. Love the guitar work in this song, and the blunt lyrics. Presented in that Van Zant style. "DON'T STICK THAT NEEDLE IN YOUR ARM". "HAVE ANOTHER TOKE, A BLOW FOR YOUR NOSE, ONE MORE DRINK WILL DROWN YOU ". "CAN'T YOU SMELL THAT SMELL"?... Hope that helps , what the song is about .

Got to love them southern boys!!!🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

Thank you for another reaction to Lynyrd Skynyrd.

@hairmetal2 16 hours ago (edited) NOTE, that album cover with the fire back ground was taking off the shelves and replaced with a black background after the plane crash.

The greatest American band in history