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Lynyrd Skynyrd — That Smell
Album: Street Survivors
Avg rating:
6.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 259









Released: 1977
Length: 5:45
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Whiskey bottles and brand new cars
Oak tree you're in my way
There's too much coke and too much smoke
Look what's going on inside you

Ooh, that smell
Can't you smell that smell?
Ooh, that smell
The smell of death surrounds you

Angel of darkness is upon you
Stuck a needle in your arm (You fool, you)
So take another toke, have a blow for your nose,
One more drink fool, would drown you (Hell, yeah)

Ooh, that smell
Can't you smell that smell?
Ooh, that smell
The smell of death surrounds you

Now they call you Prince Charming
Can't speak a word when you're full of 'ludes.
Say you'll be alright come tomorrow
But tomorrow might not be here for you (Yeah, you)

Ooh, that smell
Can't you smell that smell?
Ooh, that smell
The smell of death surrounds you

Aw, you fool, you.
You stick them needles in your arm
I know I been there before

One little problem that confronts you
Got a monkey on your back
Just one more fix Lord, might do the trick
One hell of a price for you to get your kicks (Hell, yeah)

Ooh, that smell
Can't you smell that smell?
Ooh, that smell
The smell of death surrounds you

Ooh, that smell
Can't you smell that smell?
Ooh, that smell
The smell of death surrounds you

Oh, you fool, you
Don't stick those needles in your arm.
You're just a fool, just a fool, just a fool.
Comments (69)add comment
I must have rated this track in order to hear it in My Favorites since it only gets rare Main Mix play.  This album (Street Survivors) is one of my all-time favorites, in my personal top 10.   LLRP!!
Posted 1 year ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 GeorgeMWoods wrote:
Great segue! "Waiting for my Man" to "That Smell." All pale in comparison to VU's "Heroin."
 
I agree on all points.  Played this same segue again today, and I'd not heard it before.  The segue almost—almost—makes "That Smell" good.  The whole improves my rating from Acceptable to... something better.  

As long as you're going to the trouble, why not add in "Cocaine" or even "Suicide Solution" or "Casey Jones?"
Posted 8 years ago by bluejay08003    [ Reply ]
this has not aged well
Posted 8 years ago by Johnny-smooth    [ Reply ]
Didn't know RP was playing this classic rock staple.

Oak tree you're IN MY WAY!   
Posted 9 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
Very enjoyable given it's been a couple of decades since hearing it last...
Posted 9 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
I love this song!!
 
Posted 9 years ago by CathyJones    [ Reply ]
ahh I remember that smell well.
Posted 9 years ago by skyguy    [ Reply ]
Now that's the one!  (apologies to Alabama, of course)
Posted 9 years ago by dsd    [ Reply ]
Great segue! "Waiting for my Man" to "That Smell." All pale in comparison to VU's "Heroin."
Posted 9 years ago by GeorgeMWoods    [ Reply ]
This is a great sequence! First saw these guys on the Old Grey Whistle Test around 1975, bought some of their albums, and then saw them live a Knebworth in 1976. A great live band.
Posted 9 years ago by sid1950    [ Reply ]
Worst song title ever?
Posted 9 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Always liked Skynyrd but way tired of this one.
Posted 9 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
C'mon y'all. Skynyrd were an amazing, southern-fried, topical, interesting, rockin' band who passed way before their time. Kudos to Bill playing this, along with the original burning album, which I remember well from the 8th grade.
Posted 9 years ago by randyblew    [ Reply ]
alittle Lynyrd Skynyrd in the mornin' is a pleasant surprise Thank You! (cool set - Muddy Waters, Savoy Brown, Velvet Underground then LS)
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Live in Jacksonville and I would not go see LS if they were playing in my den.  Overplayed, over-worshipped, and over-rated.  Good Lord though, I am crucified for this in J'ville.
Posted 9 years ago by Chrisjea    [ Reply ]
 By_The_Bay wrote:

We had those in Virginia.  Long hair, surf shop t-shirt, Marlboro Reds, wallet on a chain, roofer.

 
{#Roflol} 
Posted 9 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
 idahoTux wrote:

This song delivers an important message that is as relevant now as it was then. And one can say the same for Saturday Night Special.

 
Yeah baby, it sure does.  If anyone wants to know how to keep their kid(s) off drugs, simply raise them on a steady, healthy diet of classic rock, blues, and jazz, then inject a light dose of "No, I never got to see Hendrix (or Joplin, or Morrison, or Drake, or Barrett, or Pastorius (indirectly overdid it), or Winehouse, or Bonham, or Moon, etc.) live, the dumbass OD'd" when the kid asks about his favorite musicians.  That said, I think the ones that really still shake him up are Ozzy and Keith, because he can see them and the ravages of their excesses are audible and visible.  Damn, it really hurts when I have to share those stories, so many of which are about such incredibly young and talented souls lost from our collective experience just as our anticipation of their upcoming greatness washes over us; much like I feel as my son grows thru his teenage years ... it's the kind of thing that keeps me worrying late into the wee hours.  Thank goodness the stories truly impress him.
Posted 9 years ago by S-curvy    [ Reply ]
 Darlington wrote:


Supposedly only those touched by the fire died in the plane crash.....

 
Those in the picture that died were Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines.
Posted 9 years ago by dingusbother    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:
This band typifies the term: "hippie redneck". It was a Southern Illinois thing. 

But this band also had some of the BEST guitar playing in the 1970s...comparable to Allmans. Little Feat, etc.

This song kicks ass!

 
We had those in Virginia.  Long hair, surf shop t-shirt, Marlboro Reds, wallet on a chain, roofer.
Posted 9 years ago by By_The_Bay    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
Sure they're not sing about themselves?

 
Actually, it was a message to some of the members' excesses. After the plane crash, the label pulled this cover—with too many surrounded by flames, and substituted just the still of the band in no space.
Posted 9 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Around our house, "that smell" is usually the dog. 
Posted 9 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 treatment_bound wrote:

Lazarus has been dodging "stake burnings" again of late, hanging around these here parts, just biding time in his "ever mushrooming cloud of churches" until this one gets another play... 
 

Now some say he's doing the obituary mambo
and some say he's hanging on the wall
perhaps this yarn's the only thing that holds this man together
some say he was never here at all
Posted 9 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]

That's what I'm talkin bout!

plus, I'm digging the VEGETARIAN T shirt teamed up w the tube sock ensemble.


Posted 9 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
This band typifies the term: "hippie redneck". It was a Southern Illinois thing. 

But this band also had some of the BEST guitar playing in the 1970s...comparable to Allmans. Little Feat, etc.

This song kicks ass!
Posted 9 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 dixiedeb wrote:
 Who says country rock is dead?  It's like Lazarus, can't be killed, no matter how many times you reload....
 
 



 
Lazarus has been dodging "stake burnings" again of late, hanging around these here parts, just biding time in his "ever mushrooming cloud of churches" until this one gets another play... 





Posted 10 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]

Who farted?  It smells good!  Oh, it must be...  never mind...

love this song...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
Angel of darkness is upon you
Stuck a needle in your arm
So take another toke, have a blow for your nose
One more drink fool, will drown you

As relevant to much of today's "celebrity" culture as it was back then.


Posted 11 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
Back to the Neil Young/Skynyrd thing.

Check out Ronnies T-Shirt on Street Survivors.

And Neil Young wrote Powderfinger for Lynyrd Skynyrd to record.

And on the Rust Never Sleeps movie the bass player is wearing a Skynrd T-Shirt. 
Posted 11 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
 kurtster wrote:


These lyrics come from first hand expeience with the subjects of the song.  Unfortunately, but not regretably, this song has real deep meaning to me.  Helped me to see things a little diferently and get to better places.
 
This song delivers an important message that is as relevant now as it was then. And one can say the same for Saturday Night Special.
Posted 11 years ago by idahoTux    [ Reply ]

You see...its quite simple. Play this kind of RNR on Friday afternoon.

This band had some pretty good guitar players; especially on this song...and did mighty fine live shows.

 


Posted 11 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:
Best version of the band—and a great album. The bass on this one cooks.
 
agreed. great band... back then.
Posted 11 years ago by kipperlayton    [ Reply ]
 d48m02h1918 wrote:
Eerie album cover in light of all that transpired, eh? {#Eyes}
 

Supposedly only those touched by the fire died in the plane crash.....
Posted 11 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
Sure they're not sing about themselves?
 
{#Whisper}
Posted 11 years ago by dwlangham    [ Reply ]
A polite 'Duh'.  But perhaps you are a young person who was not around at the time... ziakut wrote:
Sure they're not sing about themselves?
 


Posted 11 years ago by domreo    [ Reply ]

Everybody in my church loves this song...

Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
Eerie album cover in light of all that transpired, eh? {#Eyes}
Posted 11 years ago by d48m02h1918    [ Reply ]
Best version of the band—and a great album. The bass on this one cooks.
Posted 11 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Sure they're not sing about themselves?
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 lmic wrote:
Apparently the only entry missing from RP's strangely extensive Skynyrd collection...
 
To me, that's something to be thankful for - that song can be heard within 30 minutes of listening to any "classic rock" station in the U.S. if one really needs to hear it.
Posted 11 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Hey Bill, I think you should play this at least once a year!
Posted 11 years ago by Keef    [ Reply ]
 Pyro wrote:
love Skynyrd, hate these stupid lyrics
 

These lyrics come from first hand expeience with the subjects of the song.  Unfortunately, but not regretably, this song has real deep meaning to me.  Helped me to see things a little diferently and get to better places.
Posted 15 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
 Pyro wrote:
love Skynyrd, hate these stupid lyrics
 
What she said. 

Posted 15 years ago by mread    [ Reply ]
 jbtidwell wrote:

Cool - I'll have to look for that on the internets.
 
If you find it, let us know
Posted 15 years ago by MJMJ    [ Reply ]
 Papernapkin wrote:
Someone yelled out 'Freebird' at a Patti Griffin concert and she sang it a capella. It was beautiful and the crowd went wild.
 
Cool - I'll have to look for that on the internets.

Posted 15 years ago by jbtidwell    [ Reply ]
 joanot wrote:
Am i loosing , one of my best friends ?
 
Maybe you had them too tight?

Posted 15 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
 MJMJ wrote:
Freebird!
  Apparently the only entry missing from RP's strangely extensive Skynyrd collection...
Posted 15 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Am i loosing , one of my best friends ?
Posted 15 years ago by joanot    [ Reply ]
 Papernapkin wrote:
Someone yelled out 'Freebird' at a Patti Griffin concert and she sang it a capella. It was beautiful and the crowd went wild.
 
Touche' Ms. Griffin!  {#Notworthy}
Posted 15 years ago by Tim_in_N_FL    [ Reply ]
Someone yelled out 'Freebird' at a Patti Griffin concert and she sang it a capella. It was beautiful and the crowd went wild.
Posted 15 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
 rickhoran wrote:
yes. something for us rednecks too.
 

Interesting ... I think it was Queen who toured with these guys and called them exactly that.
Posted 15 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
Based on the listener comments/number of votes, this may be the first time Bill's ever played this.

I wasn't a big Skynyrd fan but I'm always happy when Bill goes deep into the RP library ...


Posted 15 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:


This really is a fantastic song...  it is such a tragedy what happened to them...
 

Yeah, I agree. My dad actually went to their last concert, I believe, before the crash. It was here in Greenville, SC (the concert, not the crash).
Posted 15 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
Well said.

 redstorm wrote:
Lynyrd Skynyrd - That Smell
Sam Bush - Stingray
The Derek Trucks Band - Down In The Flood

Who says country rock is dead? It's like Lazarus, can't be killed, no matter how many times you reload....
 


Posted 15 years ago by dixiedeb    [ Reply ]
love Skynyrd, hate these stupid lyrics
Posted 15 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
More cheesy overlong garbage.
Posted 15 years ago by tiggers    [ Reply ]
Hmmm...I expected a lot more exploding heads in here...

Remembering the controversy over this album cover when the plane went down...that was a sad day wasn't it?  For all the 70's cheese these guys were excellent.

An 8 for the memories...


Posted 15 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
Freebird!
Posted 15 years ago by MJMJ    [ Reply ]
These guys dress (and behave) like the people I went to high school with. Good to hear Skynard.
Posted 15 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
Holy Skynyrd on RP, Batman!

I know some will hate this, but I absolutely love it. My dad was a huge fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd, so this is what I grew up on. A "10" from me.

Posted 15 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
Lynyrd Skynyrd - That Smell
Sam Bush - Stingray
The Derek Trucks Band - Down In The Flood

Who says country rock is dead? It's like Lazarus, can't be killed, no matter how many times you reload....
Posted 15 years ago by redstorm    [ Reply ]
Smell? What smell? Wasn't me guv, honest.

Oh, ok, he who smelt it dealt it. Better out than in, eh? ;-)
Posted 15 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
rickhoran wrote:
yes. something for us rednecks too.

the smell of 'em surrounds me.  {#Cowboy}{#Daisy}{#Cowboy}
Posted 15 years ago by Gartholamundi    [ Reply ]
Hell Yeah!  Great song for this Friday.

{#Devil_pimp}
Posted 15 years ago by jbtidwell    [ Reply ]
{#Lol}
Posted 15 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Whoa.... quite the set change... Sam Bush => Skynyrd.... weird but it works somehow.
Posted 15 years ago by Captn_Pea    [ Reply ]
Bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Allright some Lynyrd Skynyrd may they rest in peace.

Posted 15 years ago by 25demayo    [ Reply ]
yes. something for us rednecks too.
Posted 15 years ago by rickhoran    [ Reply ]