Which band sang the song "That Smell"?

"That Smell" is a song by the band Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1977.

When band member Gary Rossington was drunk and high, he crashed his new car into an oak tree. He survived and lead singer Ronnie Van Zant was inspired to write the song.

The song is about careless drug use, alcohol and the consequences that often follow. It warns "tomorrow might not be here for you" and "the smell of death surrounds you". Three days after the album with the song was released, the band was in a plane crash. A few members were killed, including the lead singer Van Zant.

In 1986, band member Allen Collins crashed his car, killing his girlfriend and leaving himself permanently paralyzed from the chest down. To avoid prison for DUI manslaughter, he agreed to be wheeled out on stage every night to explain why he could no longer perform. This was usually followed by the song "That Smell".

More Info: en.m.wikipedia.org

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29 Comments

Todd Van Dell

ninakamwene, It actually only seems a strange name for a rock band, until you learn the origin story behind the name. The band member's athletic coach in high school was a gentleman named Leonard Skinner. He was not anyone's favorite teacher, but the band used a bastardized version of his name for THEIR name: Thus Leonard became Lynyrd and Skinner became Skynyrd. From Wikipedia's entry on the band: The group settled on Leonard Skinnerd, a mocking tribute to P.E. teacher Leonard Skinner at Robert E. Lee High School. Skinner was notorious for strictly enforcing the school's policy against boys having long hair. Rossington dropped out of school, tired of being hassled about his hair. The more distinctive spelling "Lynyrd Skynyrd" was being used at least as early as 1970. Despite their high school acrimony, the band developed a friendlier relationship with Skinner in later years, and invited him to introduce them at a concert in the Jacksonville Memorial Coliseum. Skinner also allowed the band to use a photo of his Leonard Skinner Realty sign for the inside of their third album." (Speaking of band names coming from bastardized names, there was an early grunge band from Seattle some years back that called itself Skin Yard, as their bastardized tribute to Skynyrd.)

Chris Braun

Great song. Addiction to drugs and alcohol is a terrible thing, such a hopeless feeling. But there is a way out, and life is much better on the sober side!

Cujo

Cujo , I won the auplause. I wrote it first.

Cujo

Cujo , copy cat

Cujo

Cujo , copy cat.

Cujo

Cujo , hey I wrote that first!

Cujo

Prophecies do come true. The crash site smell was 2 parts burning plastic to 1 part redneck BBQ. Hold your auplause.

Naked Kitty Slave

Photo cracks me up! Knew some of the back story; not as much as the write up here. Great explanation!

ftg

never knew that was the reason for the song. Makes sense given their behavior...

Donna Smith

Oh yeah..I GOT THE CORRECT ANSWER ALSO SEEN LYNYRD SKYNYRD IN CONCERT .. TRULY HEART BROKEN WHEN THEY PASSED.. RIP and THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES. FLY HIGH ,""FREE BIRD ""

Cheryl McMeekin

Got it

Dave Weaver

According to a few of the roadies, that smell was written when Lynyrd Skynyrd was waiting to perform in my hometown of Wheeling WV. The last stop on their spring 77 tour.

babolataeropro

....and the Ukraine airliner tragedy. Life is so precious.

babolataeropro

Its ashame we loose so many of our great musicians in aircraft accidents. SRV,Skynrd,Buddy Holly and Kobe Bryant from NBA; sorry but I just couldn't leave him out and his daughter & the other victims. SAD.