Top 10 Best Lynyrd Skynyrd Songs

Lynyrd Skynyrd burst onto the scene in the 1970s, blazing a trail through rock and roll history with their unique blend of bluesy riffs, hard-driving beats, and rebellious Southern attitude. These Jacksonville, Florida boys crafted a sound that resonated with a generation, and they quickly became icons of the Southern rock movement.

Tragedy struck in 1977 when a plane crash took the lives of lead singer and songwriter Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and backup singer Cassie Gaines. The band went on hiatus, but their legacy was undeniable. Years later, Lynyrd Skynyrd rose again, continuing to tour and record, further solidifying their place in rock history.

Whether you're a lifelong fan or just discovering their music, there's something undeniably potent about Lynyrd Skynyrd's songs. They tell stories of heartache and hard living, of pride and passion.

What are your picks for the best Lynyrd Skynyrd songs? Do you love the iconic rebelliousness of Sweet Home Alabama? The gritty swagger of Gimme Three Steps? Or the heartbreaking beauty of Simple Man?
The Top Ten
1 Free Bird

You know that whatever is considered to be the best Lynyrd Skynyrd song of all time has got to be a great song! This is amazing, with great lyrics and the best guitar solo of all time to top it all off! It doesn't get any better than that! My favorite rock song of all time! It has to be #1! This is perfect for Southern rock!

Just behind this on the list of greatest rock songs of all time, I would have to go with Smells Like Teen Spirit, but we're just talking Lynyrd Skynyrd here! Besides the two songs I've mentioned, nothing else is even close! I don't care if you think I'm crazy!

2 Simple Man

"Simple Man" is the song that non-superficial fans of Lynyrd Skynyrd think of when they think about the band. While "Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama" are good songs in and of themselves, "Simple Man" is in a league of its own. It says everything that needs to be said and is a true pouring-out of the heart by Van Zandt. A classic.

I've loved this song since I watched Almost Famous a few years ago. In my opinion, the singer has a great voice, and I hope to enjoy it for a very long time. Sorry for my English!

A must-listen song! The lyrics are great. If you haven't listened to this song, you haven't listened to Lynyrd Skynyrd! I think it's better than Free Bird.

3 Sweet Home Alabama

Lynyrd Skynyrd's best must be number 1. Free Bird is great, but Sweet Home Alabama takes the prize for me. Seamless, fantastical, and sublimely composed are the list of three words that describe this song. Rock on, L-S!

I can't choose between Free Bird and Sweet Home Alabama! But I'm going to go with Sweet Home, because it has that classic rich American feel to it.

Best song ever. It makes my heart melt. Just listening to this song takes me to Alabama. This should be number one!

4 Tuesday's Gone

The only reason this song isn't number one is that nobody has listened to it. A lot of their "online" fan base (I use that word carefully) has stumbled across the first three songs (Free Bird, Sweet Home Alabama, and Simple Man). They are great songs in their own right, but this tune is the good stuff.

This song is beautifully performed. The guitar is very well played. This song always reminds me of sitting in a car, driving along the road while it's raining. Once again, this song is amazing, and I'm surprised that it's not number one.

5 That Smell

The culmination of all the unique qualities that made Skynyrd special: the prominent punch of Leon's bass with AP's rolling drums, the genuineness of Ronnie's lyrics, the unbelievable guitar work throughout, and the girls singing for emphasis in the background make this song their greatest. It's the definitive Skynyrd song that no one would even consider attempting to cover, much like Saturday Night Special.

It may not be their best, but it is certainly my favorite. I also love Saturday Night Special.

6 Gimme Three Steps

Great song, the first billion times I heard it. But you can't tell me there aren't at least a dozen greater Skynyrd songs than this. If I never hear "3 Steps" again, I'll be happy.

7 Call Me the Breeze

JJ Cale wrote it and performed it, but Skynyrd's version rocks it!

8 What's Your Name?

My dad used to play this song. Gotta love it.

9 Saturday Night Special
10 Gimme Back My Bullets

So difficult to choose, as there are so many. This is distinctive Skynyrd - not just a song, as Ronnie is so well backed up by the Honkettes, but also instrumentally. I love Free Bird and SHA, but it's about time those yet to get fully into Skynyrd enjoyed the wider catalog.

I got chills the first time I heard this and probably the same every time afterward. Amazing underrated guitar work and singing. One of the best.

The Contenders
11 The Ballad of Curtis Loew

Definitely top 5. Great song. Couldn't ask for more.

Way better than that Sweet Home Alabama cheese.

Great story, fun song. Most underrated song.

12 Still Unbroken

I love that song. This song makes me feel lonely. When I listen to the music, I miss someone. I don't know who appears in my mind, a boy or a girl? I think it may be a girl. I sometimes cry when I listen to the music.

Listen to this one from their album God & Guns. This is absolutely their best, and it has the most amazing lyrics ever by Lynyrd Skynyrd. I'm sure you guys will vote after listening to this one. Just hear it once!

This is the best song with Johnny Van Zant. His brother Ronnie would be proud. R.I.P.

13 Don't Ask Me No Questions

This needs to be at least somewhere between 11 and 20.

14 I Know a Little
15 You Got that Right

This is their greatest recording. Steve Gaines was a phenom.

So underplayed. This is like the anthem of any down-to-earth partier.

16 On the Hunt

Underrated song that doesn't get enough airplay or concert play. But what do I know? All their songs should be played every day, all the time. Simply awesome!

I love most of their songs, but this one really stands out.

17 I Never Dreamed

This masterpiece is just a small display of Gaines's incredible composing potential. I can't listen to this without getting goosebumps. Wonderful! Thanks, Skynyrd, for everything!

It is a really good song, yet really underrated.

18 Comin' Home
19 One More Time

Great song, a little more produced than most Skynyrd songs, but awesome. The guitar riff in the middle is incredible.

20 I Need You
21 All I Can Do is Write About It

This is the classic that resonates with me most, next to Free Bird of course.

22 Tomorrow's Goodbye

Not just my favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd song, but possibly my favorite song of all time.

23 Preacher Man
24 Mississippi Blood
25 Skynyrd Nation
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