Ronnie And Neil

Album: Southern Rock Opera (2001)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is a story about the friendship between Neil Young and Ronnie Van Zant. Van Zant was lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, whose song "Sweet Home Alabama" included a line about Young and his song "Southern Man." A lot of fans believed they had a feud, but that was not the case. In the end, this song describes how both Neil Young and Ronnie Van Zant were truly fans of each other and the American South is grateful for both of them.
  • The album is a 2-disc set all about Lynyrd Skynyrd. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Aaron - Twin Cities, MN, for above 2

Comments: 1

  • Ekristheh from Halath, United StatesI've sent this song to two people who despised the Skynyrd's alleged "Southern attitude" and couldn't stand to hear their music. Coincidentally, both these people were huge Neil Young fans. The juxtaposition of these elements reset their view of things considerably.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Rick Springfield

Rick SpringfieldSongwriter Interviews

Rick has a surprising dark side, a strong feminine side and, in a certain TV show, a naked backside. But he still hasn't found Jessie's Girl.

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

90s Music Quiz 1

90s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

First question: Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson appeared in videos for what artist?

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

They Might Be Giants

They Might Be GiantsSongwriter Interviews

Who writes a song about a name they found in a phone book? That's just one of the everyday things these guys find to sing about. Anything in their field of vision or general scope of knowledge is fair game. If you cross paths with them, so are you.