In 1970, Neil Young released a work entitled 'Southern Man.’ It released a backlash of return hatred from a part of the U.S. that was still fighting a war that had ended long ago. The band Lynyrd Skynyrd (RIP) felt obligated to fire a return salvo with ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ that named Mr. Young directly. Evidently, Mr. Young did not feel obligated to respond in song. Someone else, however, did.

Warren Zevon (RIP) wrote and released a particularly cutting piece that refers to Lynyrd Skynyrd as ‘that dead band.’ Why he wished to wait until after the tragic plane crash that took those young lives I do not know. Since it is lesser known than the first two songs, I will post the lyrics here. The song is titled: ‘Play it All Night Long.’

Grandpa pissed his pants again
He don't give a damn
Brother Billy has both guns drawn
He ain't been right since Vietnam

"Sweet home Alabama"
Play that dead band's song
Turn those speakers up full blast
Play it all night long

Daddy's doing Sister Sally
Grandma's dying of cancer now
The cattle all have brucellosis
We'll get through somehow

"Sweet home Alabama"
Play that dead band's song
Turn those speakers up full blast
Play it all night long

I'm going down to the Dew Drop Inn
See if I can drink enough
There ain't much to country living
Sweat, piss, jizz and blood

"Sweet home Alabama"
Play that dead band's song
Turn those speakers up full blast
Play it all night long

Nobody picked up the gauntlet of a man so noted for his sardonic wit. An inflamed songwriter might have responded to someone else but not him. My favorite is song by Mr. Zevon is: ‘Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner.’

Excuse me, must dash home and bake my flaneur.