TTT: Name Dropping

When I started listening to rap music in the 90s it was pretty common to disrespect other rappers in songs. There were all sorts of feuds going on from coast to coast but apparently, there was beef long before that.

In this week's #threetunetuesday(concept by @ablaze) we are going to hear some serious name-dropping.

Sweet Home Alabama

As you might know, three members of Lynard Skynard were killed in a horrible plane crash in 1977 in Mississippi. Not long ago I remember reading a story about their drummer who survived the crash and went to search for help but was shot at with a shotgun by some local farmer! Damn. Talking about having a bad day.

The story that I don't know is what Neil Young said that made them mention him in one of their most famous songs - Sweet Home Alabama. I would guess it had something to do with the state of Alabama or the southern states in general.

Well I heard Mister Young sing about her
Well I heard ol' Neil put her down
Well I hope Neil Young will remember
A southern man don't need him around anyhow

I've always liked this song and have heard it on the radio for as long as I remember. It still took me a while to actually understand that they were not that pleased with Neil Young. I don't know if Young ever made any replies or did it end here but the dropping of names sure didn't.

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My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)

I've never seen Neil Young perform live even though I would have definitely wanted to. To me, he is something like David Bowie, both of their lyrics and voices have really touched me in some inexplicable way.

A really cool memory I have is from the Cannes film festival where they had set up the screen standing from the Mediterranean sea and we were on the beach watching Neil Young & Crazy Horse musical documentary by Jonathan Demme.

Anyways, seems like Mr. Young is quite a name-dropper and to me, perhaps the most surprising drop is heard on this song.

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The king is gone but he's not forgotten
This is the story of a Johnny Rotten
It's better to burn out than it is to rust
The king is gone but he's not forgotten

I don't know the story behind this statement and I think I don't even want to know. I just want to be left alone with the idea of Neil Young declaring Johnny Rotten as the king of rock n' roll.

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Pretty Vacant

Now, I'm sure Johnny Rotten mentions other musicians in his songs but I don't wanna go there cos this wouldn't probably stop and I'd have to continue this hopping between artists on future #ttt posts.

With Sex Pistols songs I'm usually not sure what they want to say and Pretty Vacant makes no exception. Still, I love that weird "not giving a fuck" -attitude and energy. I was actually gonna write something about the drummer(Paul Cook) and the guitarist(Steve Jones who you might remember from my last week's post) but then I saw this Youtube comment:

That guitar Riff. The drums, the singer, the sneer, & vicious pretending to play bass. magnificent.

I think that says it all so let's listen to the King!

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There you have it! From the Rebel flag to the Union Jack.

Until next time, thank you for reading!