The song by Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Sweet Home, Alabama" is a reaction to which song by Neil Young?

Neil Young, born 12 November 1945, is a Canadian born rock guitarist and songwriter. His successes as both a solo artist and in the bands Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young are many.

Neil's songs often portray societal and political causes that he feels strongly about. The song, "Southern Man" was released in 1970 on the album "After the Gold Rush."

"Southern man, better keep your head

Don't forget what your good book said

Southern change gonna come at last

Now your crosses are burning fast

Southern man

"I saw cotton and I saw flax

Tall white mansions and little shacks

Southern man, when will you pay them back?

I heard screamin' and bullwhips cracking

How long? How long? How?

"Southern man, better keep your head

Don't forget what your good book said

Southern change gonna come at last

Now your crosses are burning fast

Southern man

"Lily Belle, your hair is golden brown

I've seen your black man comin' round

Swear by God I'm gonna cut him down

I heard screamin' and bullwhips cracking

How long? How long? How?"

This song comments about systemic racism in the deep south, particularly in Alabama. Young pleadingly asks when the South will make amends for the fortunes built through slavery and move forward. Despite these claims, some want to look the other way and hope it all goes away.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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27 Comments

Rita Dee

Great song, and the little war that came around because of it, gave us two great songs.

klmilles

William Laughlin, Our Florida Governor probably has a very hostile rejection to all this "woke" ideology that might "indoctrinate" Floridians. Bet Neil Young isn't played much in Tallahassee.

elizawheeler

I believe in reparations. Why shouldn't we invest in inner city schools and job programs. When we lift up those in need, we all benefit.

Ben

I like both songs. But southerman had deep thoughts embedded in it's lyrics because they are all true as history tell us. And the guitar strumming of Neil young gives you the creeps.

Special Patrol Group

Why is "Four Dead in" added in grammatical marks to the song "Ohio"?

William Laughlin

John W Shreve, I can't imagine why Young needed to make amends. He wasn't wrong in his criticism. The song still tells the truth today. When will the South ever admit to their mistakes and acknowledge history. It doesn't have to be a judgment of the South today, unless they still believe in the bigotry and cruelty of the past.

William Laughlin

klmilles, I have no doubt that you're right. The word "indoctrination" simply means teaching people to treat one another decently, fairly, and equally, the way we would have others treat us. What's so horrible about that... unless you have a need to keep others down in order to feel better about yourself?

John W Shreve

Neil Young said Lynyrd Skynyrd's response was deserved and that he had been pretentious in writing his song.

Mic Fenst

John W Shreve, Hmmmm. I've not seen that one, though I've heard that he and the Lynyrd Skynyrd band members made amends.

Mic Fenst

Julie Domaille, I did for several years. Gone now.

Mic Fenst

William Laughlin, He's "pulled out" now.

John W Shreve

melanieraerairigh, A friend of mine wore the front page of a newspaper with the Kent State killings on his back to work and had to leave.

William Laughlin

Mic Fenst, Yes, indeed. Fascism is something we rallied against in WWII. Now we seem to be embracing it. It's a scary thing that in "The land of the free", there is an element that believes everyone should look, act, and think just as they do.

Mic Fenst

William Laughlin, Rampant fascism in our country is something I thought I would never experience in my life. It seems many insecure people find it to their liking and support these "leaders." It is scary at best.

Special Patrol Group

lls, If it is a direct quote from a newspaper headline then it is not the title of the song.

William Laughlin

klmilles, It's a sad thing and now Di Santis wants to inflict his philosophy on the whole country. I hope he never succeeds.

klmilles

William Laughlin, yeah. Kind of the current State of Florida motto--"where woke goes to die." I am so ashamed. History will judge us, only THAT won't be taught in Florida either.