The instrumental backing for this coming of age tale is a mash-up of Warren Zevon's "Werewolves Of London" and Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama." When Lynyrd Skynyrd entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, Kid Rock inducted them.
This was the official theme song for WWE's Backlash 2008. It was the second ever theme song from a WWE pay-per-view to go to #1 in the UK. Previously "Bring Me To Life" by Evanescence was the theme for No Way Out 2003.
In America this accomplished the unusual feat of reaching the Top 40 of both the Modern rock chart and the Country chart.
In Europe this proved to be a big hit topping charts in a number of countries, including Austria, Germany and Switzerland. It also reached #1 on the European Hot 100 chart.
Though some might dispute this being categorized a country song, a number of commentators have said that when this topped the UK charts in August 2008, it was the closest to a country #1 in Britain since either LeAnn Rimes' "Can't Fight The Moonlight" in 2000, or Kenny Rogers' "Coward of the County," way back in 1980.
Rock N Roll Jesus was released in October 2007, and Kid Rock's record company wanted to release this as a single that fall. Rock talked them into waiting until summer to release the song, which is a more appropriate time for the single but a long way off from the album's release. The ploy worked, as radio stations picked up the song and the album got a huge boost in sales, selling 1.3 million copies by the summer of 2008.
Like all Kid Rock songs, this was not available as a digital download when it was released, so if you wanted the song legally, you had to buy the album. You could, however, download various cover versions of the song, which was kind of like buying a fake Rolex. Once a song is released, anyone can record it by paying the statutory royalty rate, which means popular bands that refuse iTunes are likely to see all manner of bizarro versions of their songs appear on the service and capitalize on the song's success. On iTunes, you can download non-Rock versions of this song by "Hit Masters," "The Rock Heroes" and "Southern All Stars."
On October 3, 2008, Rock did make his music available for a limited time on the Rhapsody service, with the agreement that only full albums could be downloaded, something iTunes wouldn't allow.
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Suggestion credit: Bertrand - Paris, France
Rock explained to MTV News why the song has been such a success. He said: "I knew the track was solid - it's got two of the best songs of all time mashed up together ['Sweet Home Alabama' and 'Werewolves of London'], it's got great melodies, so really, my work was done. I knew people would hear it and know I wrote it. They'd know it was real, and there'd be that connection. And that's what's missing in music today. I think people don't believe half the s--t they hear some rapper or some pop girl singing about... but with me, they do. And that's why people have reacted the way they have to the song."
This won the award for Best Rock Song at the 35th People's Choice Awards, held on January 7, 2009.
In the Deaton Flanigen-directed video, Kid Rock is cruising around Tennessee's Old Hickory Lake (it wasn't hot enough to shoot in Michigan) on his cowboy boat while we're shown flashbacks of his teenage self hanging with his girlfriend and his group of friends. The clip features a group of bikini-clad girls on a double-decker pontoon boat outfitted with a stripper pole.
This is the biggest hit to mention the state of Michigan in the lyric ("it was summertime in northern Michigan").
This isn't the only song about listening to "Sweet Home Alabama." In 1980 Warren Zevon (whose "Werewolves Of London" provides the other side of this mashup) released "Play It All Night Long," where he sings:
"Sweet Home Alabama" Play that dead band's song Turn those speakers up full blast Play it all night long
Terry from Grafon, WiIs this song about a real experience Kid Rock had? It's so reminiscent of teenage years...I love it.
Nathan Ritz from Paoli, InThis is the best song of 09
Leah from Brooklyn, NyWhether this song is great or a rip-off of two others, it's been destroyed for me because it's been so vastly overplayed on both Country and Pop stations this year. You can hardly go an hour on any radio station in 2009 without this song starting up. We now automatically hit the "change station" button when we hear the opening notes. What a shame...
Al from Philadelphia, Pathis is not a real song. this is a ripped off talentless cover of two very good songs. get a life and some talent kr
Rahul from Chennai, Indiabrings a smile to my face every single time i hear it... yeah its ripped of n all but one of the best songs 2008 had to offer...
Roberta from Carleton, MiI just LOVE Michigan's own, Kid Rock!!!!
Stormy from Northport, MiI'm living in the place he's singing about ..kinda cool.
Jonathan from Paoli, InThis songs alright, but he shouldve done free bird.
Austin from Smallsville, New EnglandPersonally I stopped listining to him after Cocky. But he did what he had to do to stay current. I mean rap-metal died long ago.
Edi from Adelaide, AustraliaAnyone else notice that the guitar solo is off key?
Je from Wheelerville, PaOkay song. Kind of reminesent of a Bob Segar song/
Marissa from Akron, OhEvery time I hear this song starting, I'm like "YAY! Sweet Home Alab- aw crap it's that Kid Rock song, never mind." It's a good song though.
Kit-kat¢¾ from Somewhereurnot, Ytthis was mine and my ex's song i dislike him but not the song because of how many memories it played out while we were together:{
Clarissa from Martinsburg, WvThis is a cool song, it really shows Kid Rock's southern rock roots. Not just with the Skynyrd (w00t) references all through but the sound and everything.
Austin from Smallsville,new England, --This song is about some one rembering a girl they knew back then.
Bo Dega from Allgäu, Germanyi very simple song about being younger.... everybody of us get´s older. that´s life !
Maggie from Waynesville, OhThis song is great for a Kid Rock Song. It makes me feel good and cherish the summertime.
