WCSX Classic Cuts : That Smell
WCSX Classic Cuts
Lynyrd Skynyrd: “That Smell”
The Hook: Ronnie Van Zant’s lyrics were inspired by a car crash that guitarist Gary Rossington had while under the influence.
Album: Street Survivors
Year: 1977
Writers: Allen Collins and Ronnie Van Zant
Stats: Not released as a single in the U.S.
Background: Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington explains how he was the inspiration for the lyrics to “That Smell.”
Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington on “That Smell.” OC:…really true. :21
“Actually, I got in a car wreck. I hit a oak tree and I was kinda doing the wrong things then, y’know, about what the song’s about. So Ronnie kinda wrote it. It was kinda true and he just kinda wrote it about me, kinda. But it was about everybody, too, at that time, y’know. And it says a lot if you listen to it. And it’s really true.”
