Lynyrd Skynyrd: That Smell Meaning

That Smell Lyrics

Whiskey bottles, and brand new cars
Oak tree you're in my way
There's too much coke and too much smoke
Look what's going on inside you
Ooooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Ooooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you
Angel of...

1. 1TOP RATED

   #1 top rated interpretation:
   physicaljerk

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   May 18th 2007 !⃝

   This is about Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington, who bought a new car, got drunk, and crashed it into a tree, then a house ("whiskey bottles, brand new car, oak tree you're in my way"). The band was supposed to start a tour in a few days, but had to postpone it because of Rossington.
2. FrostbitBlueNick

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   Oct 10th 2022 !⃝

   I think by the time they got Gaines Ronnie was wanting to get the band straight(which is obvious in the quality of S. Survivors! Maybe their best album. Problem was they were extremely hard partiers and big drinkers! Ronnie WAS THE BOSS! It was a warning to the whole band, him included to straighten up! Kills me to think what the next album would’ve been like!!! Long live Skynyrd!! They get maligned for their post crash work however It’s all very good. EDGE OF FOREVER AND VICIOUS CYCLE are fantastic!!! GOD AND GUNS is also very good!!!
3. anonymous

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   Dec 9th 2021 !⃝

   They great thing about lyrics, especially ambiguous ones, is that one can costumize them to their own personal experiences & feelings... Yet one should not confuse &/or confess them to be the truth! True to you may not be true to the writter. After all, everyone is here to hear the writers stories & meanings.
   
   That being said, Ronnie clearly states "the smell of death surrounds you". It was and is a statement mentioned for reckless people who could be close to death, or causing death(s) as a result of their actions. Albeit coke is mentioned in the song, so are other substances. There are a lot if smells associated with all of it. Simple fact: just all generalized as a flirt with death!
   
   The lyrics tell the story of their band member Gary. Their struggles to keep him clean & the accident he had which led to fining him for missed tour dates & serious ultimatums. Ultimatly leading to writting thensing as a big reminder not only to Gary, but to all that may need to hear it!
4. anonymous

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   Apr 17th 2020 !⃝

   The band admitted Ronnie did heroin. He would use matches to light his spoon, thus reeking of matches or the “smell of death” when he entered the studio. Oak tree your in my way refers to Gary’s car accident. Ronnie wrote this song, I believe he felt like the good times were over and death was immanent. The album cover released shortly before the crash shows the band engulfed in flames. Be careful what you think about... Rest easy boys.
5. anonymous

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   Mar 2nd 2020 !⃝

   The smell when Rossington crashed his car. That's what he says so I'm pretty sure HE knows!!!!
6. anonymous

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   Nov 23rd 2019 !⃝

   This song is also about the times, before MADD, when doing drugs was so widespread that it almost considered normal but doing stupid stuff wasn’t like driving wasted with your roller-skates still on your feet. When cops would throw your ass in the drunk tank for the night and come out stinking like all the other drunks you were locked up with. Even I had a lot of pot seed burns on my new shirts and jeans. Come home with mud on my hands, my gym shoes and my jeans because I was too wasted to walk to my car. Thats the way it was...
7. anonymous

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   Feb 21st 2019 !⃝

   Anyone who has used Heroin knows that when you 'cook it up" to inject it there is ALWAYS a familiar smell. When the heroin is heated you could snort that 'smoke' released and get high. A lot of people vomit when they get really high from heroin. When I "smelled that smell" I could almost vomit by the mental connection of the 'smell' with getting high. The song may not have meant that literally but if you ask anyone who's used Heroin regularly, knows that means to them. I know that several of the band members used Heroin and could possibly be referring to THAT smell! I'm sure it could be a metaphor for many different people.
8. anonymous

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   Sep 9th 2018 !⃝

   It is about death.. listen to the song. Tmrw may not be here for you...... Oak tree your in my way....
9. anonymous

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   Jul 31st 2018 !⃝

   I think it’s about the journey of addiction.
10. anonymous

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    Apr 8th 2018 !⃝

    The smell of cocaine when hits your bloodstream.
11. anonymous

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    Feb 24th 2018 !⃝

    I think it's about death.I person I know who almost died described to me a "funny smell;like rotten eggs".(no drugs involved- the shooter was 'aiming'at someone else)
12. anonymous

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    Feb 24th 2018 !⃝

    I think it's about death.I person I know who almost died described to me a "funny smell;like rotten eggs".(no drugs involved- the shooter was 'aiming'at someone else)
13. anonymous

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    Jan 5th 2018 !⃝

    Heroin yes, Oxycotin wasn't a thing back then.
14. anonymous

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    Dec 29th 2017 !⃝

    Death. It can be smelled before death. They sense the smell of death after a life of fruitless partying. Such on that sulfuric smelling egg for a second
15. anonymous

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    Dec 26th 2017 !⃝

    it simply was the smell of Jacksonville Florida you idiots
16. anonymous

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    Dec 14th 2017 !⃝

    Marijuana smoke?

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