Okay, here’s my blog post about ranking Lynyrd Skynyrd albums:
Alright, so the other day I got into this huge debate with my buddy about which Lynyrd Skynyrd album is the absolute best. We were going back and forth, and it got me thinking – I should really sit down and figure out my own personal ranking. It’s Skynyrd, man, it’s important!
So, I grabbed all my Skynyrd albums. I’ve got them all, and even a copy of the “Street Survivors” album. It took me a while to find all my favorites, but it’s worth it.
I put my headphones on, turned my phone off, and got ready for a full day of Southern rock immersion. Started with “Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd’,” of course. That opening riff of “I Ain’t the One” – chills, every single time.
First Listen Through:
- “(Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd)’ (1973):” Pure, raw energy. “Free Bird,” “Simple Man,” “Tuesday’s Gone”… it’s a classic for a reason.
- “Second Helping” (1974):” “Sweet Home Alabama” is obviously the big one, but “The Ballad of Curtis Loew” is sneaky good.
- “Nuthin’ Fancy” (1975):” “Saturday Night Special” kicks ass, and “On the Hunt” is a deep cut I love.
- “Gimme Back My Bullets” (1976):” Honestly, a little bit of a letdown after the first three, but still some solid tracks.
- “Street Survivors” (1977):” What a comeback! “What’s Your Name” and “That Smell” are amazing. The plane crash makes it even more poignant.
- “Skynyrd’s First and… Last” (1978):” Interesting to hear some of the early stuff, but not an essential album.
- “Gold & Platinum” (1979):” A great compilation, perfect for a road trip.
- “One More from the Road” (1976):” One hell of a live album! The energy is insane. The crowd screaming and the band going crazy.
- “Legend” (1987):” Another compilation, this time with more of the post-crash material.
Second Listen and Deep Dive:
Next, I had to put my headphones again and start all over again. This time, I grabbed some notes. After all, my friend and I have different opinions on which song is better. I thought I needed more detailed evidence to prove my theory.
The second time, I tried to pull together my real opinion of each album, and I took some time on each song, and thought more about the music.
I really dug into the lyrics, the guitar solos, the overall vibe of each album. Started thinking about which ones I always go back to, which ones I might skip a song or two on.
The Final Ranking (After Much Deliberation):
Here’s my list:
I had to put my final ranking. I think after the first and second listen, I should have a good view of which one I like.
- (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd)
- Street Survivors
- Second Helping
- One More from the Road
- Nuthin’ Fancy
- Gimme Back My Bullets
- Skynyrd’s First and… Last
- Gold & Platinum
- Legend
It was tough, man! Putting “Street Survivors” above “Second Helping” was a big decision, but I just think it’s such a powerful album, especially considering the circumstances. “One More from the Road” as a classic live record is incredible, capturing the energy of Skynyrd. I listen to it often. Finally, the “(Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd)” as the best album that represents the band.
Anyway, that’s my take. Now I’ve got some solid arguments for the next time this debate comes up! What do you all think? Let me know your rankings!
