You know that I don't review rock 'n roll very often, but here goes....

If someone brushed past me in a crowd and slipped a piece of paper into my pocket, which I discovered later that night...and it had the lyrics to this song, I think I'd be moved...maybe inspired.

Or, if I was at an outdoor rock concert, where walking...or even moving about...was no longer required because some guy walked up to me at noon and asked me if I wanted to buy some spraquna dust and my answer was "What?" and he said, "Spraquna dust!" and I said, "What's spragnut dust?" and he said "Spraquna dust! Spraquna dust!" and I said "OK" and suddenly it was dark and 1000's of people were holding up Bic lighters and swaying to this song, I would probably join in as if it were a life mission...like I was helping to save something.

Or, if Gino Vanelli sang it instead, it might have helped.

But, come on folks, this is a dirge that...with or without that pathetic vocal rendition of some pretty nice poetry...makes Volga Yeoman sound like carousel music. Add to this that it's been played to death and the ball lands on a "Gawdawful" musical experience. Dreadful.

(P.S.: My apologies to anyone who got their first blowjob while this song was playing.)

November 20, 1974:

All is dark except for the lighters that the audience are holding.


" We'd like to dedicate this one to Duane Allman and our good friend from Lafayette McLaws' division, Colonel Victor 83."

Its ok and as long as I haven't heard it beaten to death everyday for a week by the local classic rock station, I'll put it on now and then.

But ok is all it is. The way some people go on about it, you'd think it was the finest and most important human endeavor since the wheel.

I don't know that I have ever been to a big rock concert where some hilarious yahoo in the house didn't call out "Play Freebird!!!!!" when the band comes back out for their encore. It's tired Chuck, let it go.

As a song it's certainly a fine example of the 70's southern rock tendancy to start out with something thoughtful and melodically sweet and then to beat it to death with an 8 minute guitar duel.

The greates rock song ever, you've been gone 30 years and we still remember. This hotel 283 dude is an idiot.

What is it with southern rock and all of it's laboured ballads? This song is just the worst of the lot. Welfare living must inspire fatuous songwriting.

Despite the jaded vitriol expressed by my Indy-hipster comrades over the years this song really is great. I think it's better than Stairway.

best song ever

Freebird is the epic rock song that rivals stairway to Heaven as the greatest song ever.