Free Bird

Free Bird is a song by the American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was first featured on the band's debut album (Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd) in 1973, and has been included on subsequent albums released by the band. Released as a single in late 1974, Free Bird became the band's second Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1975, where it peaked at #19. A live version of the song also reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1977, peaking at #38. It is used as a finale by Lynyrd Skynyrd during their live performances, and it is their longest song. The lyrical portion of the song was written early in the group's history. Roadie Billy Powell was discovered as a keyboardist for the band when he played the intro piece to "Free Bird" at a high school prom. Lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant noted his talent and invited him to join. "If I leave here tomorrow would you still remember me?" was asked of Allen Collins by his girlfriend. Collins jotted the question down and it eventually became the opening line of "Free Bird". "Free Bird" is included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll and at number 193 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2009, it was named the 26th best hard rock song of all time by VH1.

[Intro] [Verse 1] 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 [Pre-Chorus] But if I stay here with you, girl Things just couldn't be the same [Chorus] 'Cause I'm as free as a bird now And this bird you cannot change Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh And the bird you cannot change And this bird you cannot change Lord knows I can't change [Bridge] [Verse 2] Bye-bye, baby, it's been a sweet love, yeah-yeah Though this feeling I can't change But, please, don't take it so badly 'Cause Lord knows I'm to blame [Pre-Chorus] But, if I stay here with you, girl Things just couldn't be the same [Chorus] 'Cause I'm as free as a bird now And this bird you'll never change Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh And the bird you cannot change And this bird you cannot change Lord knows I can't change Lord, help me, I can't change [Outro] Lord, I can't change Won't you fly high, free bird, yeah [Guitar Solo]