Poison Whiskey by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Album: Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd (1973)

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This is about the effects of alcoholism, which is a bit ironic since Lynyrd Skynyrd played almost every concert under the influence of alcohol.
Johnny Walker, as mentioned in the lyrics, is a Scotch whiskey that comes in four types: red label (basic), black label (12 year), gold label (18 year), and blue label (very top shelf).
An acoustic version sung by Johnny Van Zant appears on their album Endangered Species. >>
Suggestion credit:
Aaron - Twin Cities, MN, for all above
This song is track three, side two, of Lynyrd Skynyrd's landmark first album. Their producer Al Kooper was initially nervous about the band name, and begged them to change it. When they wouldn't budge, he devised a clever ad campaign before the first album release, in a bid to drive the name of the band into the public's mind. He designed a skull head and a bones-styled typeface, and took out ads in music trade magazines and major-city alternative weekly newspapers, with an ad that simply said "Who is Lynyrd Skynyrd?" Each week, the size of the ad grew and held a few more details, until finally it became a huge two-page ad on the day of the album's release.
Immediately after the MCA ad campaign, Pete Townsend of The Who dropped by MCA studios looking for an opening act for the Quadrophenia tour. Who should they find but the hot, young and eager Lynyrd Skynyrd? Thanks to the lucky coincidence of their first album's ad campaign, it looked like they'd planned to tour with The Who the whole time!

Comments: 6

Alan from Rochester, NyI had always interpreted this as being about the special dangers of moonshine as much as the dangers of alcohol in general.
Alan from Rochester, NyI suppose this really would be a serious issue for good ol' boys such as the Skynyrd members. I wouldn't doubt if the writers were reflecting on practical experience.
Interesting how they juxtaposed the name of a legit brand of whiskey
Oldpink from New Castle, InGreat cautionary tale, and a nice bit of work with the keyboards and guitars synchronizing so tightly.
Rozan from San Diego, CaA hidden gem from their first album.
Chris from Milford, CtThis song very much resembles the James Gang's "Funk #49" but nevertheless is still a great skynyrd tune.
Norbert from Oaklahomacity, Orthis is an abscure Skynyrd tune but it is my favorite

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