You Got That Right

Album: Street Survivors (1977)
Charted: 69
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this song, Skynyrd make it clear they won't be settling down anytime soon - they've got that "traveling bone" and a thirst for adventure. It's a similar sentiment to "Free Bird," but without the metaphor.
  • The title is a phrase popular in the American South as a defiant affirmation:

    "You were out drinking last night, weren't you?"

    "You got that right."
  • This was written by lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines, who joined the band in 1976. The two share lead vocals on the song, making it, along with the Gaines-sung "Ain't No Good Life" (also from Street Survivors) the only Lynyrd Skynyrd releases (not counting demos) to feature a lead vocalist other than Van Zant during his lifetime. Both Gaines and Van Zant were killed when the band's plane crashed on October 20, 1977, just three days after Street Survivors was released. Gaines' sister Cassie, a backup singer for Skynyrd, was also killed in the crash.
  • This is a great example of the contributions Steve Gaines made to the group. After replacing guitarist Ed King, he made a huge impact on their songwriting. Street Survivors was his only album with the band, but he wrote or co-wrote half the songs: "You Got That Right" and "I Never Dreamed" with Van Zant, and "Ain't No Good Life" and "I Know A Little" on his own.

    According to Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington, Gaines inspired them to up their game, as was a top-notch guitarist and writer.
  • This was released months after the plane crash that claimed the lives of Gaines and Van Zant. It peaked at #69 US (settle down, Beavis) on April 29, 1978, six months after the crash. It was the last single from Street Survivors and the last Skynyrd song to make the Hot 100.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.