Lynyrd Skynyrd – Freebird ’77 – Oakland Coliseum

Lynyrd Skynyrd proves nothing mattered but the music in ’77

This is one of those videos that grabs your attention the second it starts, you can’t look away, leaving you wanting more the second it comes to an end. I think I replayed this video three times… Can you blame me?

The lyrics to this song are something everyone can relate to. They are about a man explaing to his girl why he can’t settle down, and make a commitment. The opening verse, “If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?” was inspired by a real conversation that guitarist, Allen Collins had with his girlfriend.

Johnny Van Zant– “For years Skynyrd has always closed the show with that song and the song has different meanings for different people. This kid was telling me that they used it for their graduation song and not too long ago somebody told me that they used it at a funeral. And really it’s a love song…”

After Ronnie Van Zant was killed, his brother Johnny who took his place wouldn’t sing it. The band would play it as an instrumental and the crowd would sing the words. The energy of the crowd when the band goes into the bridge in this video is incredible. They are in the moment, cheering, living for every note being played.

A definite must-see!

+Freebird lyrics below+

If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on now
‘Cause there’s too many places I’ve got to see.
But if I stayed here with you, girl,
Things just couldn’t be the same.
‘Cause I’m as free as a bird now,
And this bird you can not change, oh, oh, oh, oh.
And this bird you can not change.
And this bird you can not change.
Lord knows I can’t change.

Bye, bye, baby, it’s been a sweet love, yeah,
Though this feeling I can’t change.
But please don’t take it so badly,
‘Cause Lord knows I’m to blame.

But if I stayed here with you, girl,
Things just couldn’t be the same.
‘Cause I’m as free as a bird now,
And this bird you’ll never change, oh, oh, oh, oh.
And this bird you cannot change.
And this bird you cannot change.
Lord knows, I can’t change.
Lord, help me, I can’t change.

Lord, I can’t change.
Won’t you fly high, free bird, yeah?