Cry For The Bad Man

Album: Gimme Back My Bullets (1976)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about Alan Walden, Skynyrd's manager before they signed with Peter Rudge. Skynyrd lead singer Ronnie Van Zant was very close to Walden and even served as best man at his wedding, but he was outvoted in the decision to fire him. Walden later explained that he made efforts to keep the band financially sound and get them to be responsible with their money, but they rejected these efforts. Van Zant would later state that he regretted writing this song. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Zap - Norwalk, CT

Comments: 2

  • Zap from Norwalk, CtSorry Jeff, but you are incorrect. I know several former members of the band (and one current one, LOL), and I can say without a doubt it's about Walden. Kooper is still held in fairly high regard by the band, unlike Walden or Rudge.
  • Jeff from Panama City , FlI think the song is not about alan walden but the later manager producer al kooper...anyway it is one of my favorite skynyrd songs...it is almost a mirror image to gimme back my bullets...
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

Randy Houser

Randy HouserSongwriter Interviews

The "How Country Feels" singer talks Skynyrd and songwriting.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.

Randy Newman

Randy NewmanSongwriting Legends

Newman makes it look easy these days, but in this 1974 interview, he reveals the paranoia and pressures that made him yearn for his old 9-5 job.

Female Singers Of The 90s

Female Singers Of The 90sMusic Quiz

The ladies who ruled the '90s in this quiz.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."