Context

This line is from "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, from the album Second Helping (1974). Written by Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, and Edward King.

"You're a racist tool."

"Oh yeah. Well, you're a Northern jerkface. I don't blame you for Watergate so don't blame me for other folks burning crosses."

"Good point. My bad. Let's get some chicken 'n biscuits."

And off they went, Ronnie Van Zant and Neil Young—good buddies working it out… while the rest of the world was left still taking sides. "Sweet Home Alabama" was written in response to Neil Young's songs "Southern Man" and "Alabama," which voiced pretty low opinions about the Southern states. Lynyrd Skynyrd, thinking "Who needs you, anyway?" countered with "We've got better weather, Southern food, and a great music scene. That's why we're always coming home." Hence, they came up with the line, "Sweet home Alabama, Lord, I'm coming home to you" (except that their home was really Florida).

All this left fans still in one camp or the other, or just plain confused. Lynyrd Skynyrd was saying they disagreed with segregation while their stage backdrop was a confederate flag. Ronnie Van Zant was wearing Neil Young T-shirts at his concerts. It's like sending come-here/stay-away vibes in the same glance. It makes you wonder where you stand. At the end of the day, though, the song (and the line) is more about loving a place despite its serious drawbacks. Check out this clip for that Southern love.

Where you've heard it

If you've ever been to a BBQ joint, honky tonk, or downhome get-together, then odds are that you've heard this song. That opening riff is pretty unmistakable. The song's made its way out of the South and blanketed the entire country—and beyond.

Additional Notable References

• KFC Commercial
• Chevrolet Commercial
• Country Music Television
• Sweet Home Alabama

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Calling Alabama's Southern hospitality pretentious is like calling biscuits and gravy gourmet.