“Sweet Home Alabama” was recorded by the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. It first appeared in 1974 on their second album, entitled “Second Helping”. Despite lots of controversy, it reached #8 on the US charts in 1974, and was the band’s second hit single.
According to the band members, “Sweet Home Alabama” was written as an answer to two songs, “Southern Man” and “Alabama” by Neil Young, which dealt with themes of racism and slavery in the American South. “We thought Neil was shooting all the ducks in order to kill one or two,” said Ronnie Van Zant at the time. Van Zant’s musical response, however, was also controversial, with references to Alabama Governor George Wallace (a noted supporter of segregation) and the Watergate scandal.
There is a semi-hidden vocal line in the second verse after the “Well, I heard Mr. Young sing about her” line. In the left channel, you can hear the phrase “Southern Man” being sung lightly (at approximately 0:55). This was producer Al Kooper doing a Neil Young impression and was just another incident of the band members messing around in the studio while being recorded. According to Leon Wilkeson, it was Al Kooper’s idea to continue and echo the lines from “Southern Man” after each of Van Zant’s lines. “Better…keep your head”…”Don’t forget what your / good book says”, etc. But Ronnie insisted that Kooper remove it not wanting to plagiarize or upset Young. Kooper left the one line barely audible in the left channel.
The lesson below is taught by Justin Sandercoe. Fortunately, I have also found a backing track for the song. Enjoy!
Sweet Home Alabama Backing Track
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25 responses so far ↓
1 iRythum // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Great Video! I can’t believe I haven’t Subscribed yet. =)
2 Anthony92841 // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
WOW they gave you six thumbs down.
3 luigiwizard // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
thanks,great lesson!
4 Ps3koolKid // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
u have the same guitar stand as me lol
5 DangerousMusicProd // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
to much distortion
6 Footprints79 // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
For anyone wondering how to replicate this tone, it’s two boss metal zone pedals into a peavey 15w. Trust me.
7 iHateyuall // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
helped me alot!
8 Qlaws612 // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
He tells you the names of the strings to play dude
9 cucohenne // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Exellent lesson but i need to see the right hand also XD
10 CobainFrusciante // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
hahaha
do you play guitar hero?
11 Feueralchemist // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Thank you for your great lesson!
12 shagger67 // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
there is a killer lesson on here. the guy is playing a white color gibson explorer..look it up. he walks u right through it. good luck man. it’s a kick ass tune to bust out when you’re jamming with your buddies! and easy to play
13 XxJoshi13xX // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
nice job but u realy play the guitarr i need your help ( need the song master of puppets – metallica ) i need your guitar lesson but the song master of puppets plizzz ok?
14 Zebbadi // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
iv always wanted to learn this song but the tabs kinda confused me so i couldnt be arsed.. but that was a brilliant lesson
andi can play the start of it perfectly 
15 crackenthing // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
love the vid and great lesson but it woulda helped to get the right hand too.
16 nicoariu // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Best teacher and great song.
17 Juliaklein93 // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
great lesson!
Thanks, helped well!
18 82SMR // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
u should try free bird,eye of the tiger and livin` on a prayer
19 gibsonguy86 // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
then dowload it smart one! lol
20 marsCubed // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
ashbann22, maybe you are not very clever so here is a clue.
use the pause button to pause the video from time to time, that way you can practice.
you honestly cannot expect 6 hours of video while you practice and learn this song.
21 Alohapoisons // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
just great
22 Faxter313 // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
great lesson!!
23 ashbann22 // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
your going to fastt!!
24 toymachine13355 // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
great song and great lesson
25 dukerox458 // May 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm
can you make a video on crash into me by dave matthews band?
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