The definitive Lynyrd Skynyrd playlist

From Skynyrd's third studio album Nuthin' Fancy (1975), this closing number is likely a deep cut to casual fans of the band. However, it's an underrated track to those hard-core Lynyrd Skynyrd supporters who tend to look past the hits. Speaking of underrated, pianist Billy Powell co-wrote this tune and subtly shines on it. There was plenty of talent on display within the realm of these Southern rockers, and Powell is certainly worth celebrating. 

One of the more interesting tunes in the Skynyrd arsenal. During the early years of the band, the track was a live concert staple that never had a home on any of its studio albums. A popular version appeared on 1976's live One More from the Road album (from the band's shows at Atlanta Fox Theatre). Then, when the reinvented band, with Ronnie Van Zant's brother, Johnny, on lead vocals, earned popularity in the 1990s, the wonders of modern technology allowed Johnny to perform a recorded duet of the tune with his late brother. That version appeared on 1997's Twenty album.

The song that kicked off the band's stellar 1973 debut album, (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd), "I Ain't the One" should be considered an appetizer for the greatness that's to be found on the rest of the album. It pretty much encompassed what all the early Skynyrd sound was about: heavy, bluesy, guitar rock underlaying Ronnie Van Zant's one-of-a-kind whiskey-fueled, Southern-fried vocals. Not to mention, more excellent piano work from Billy Powell.

The Skynyrd boys were essentially simple folk who hadn't often left their hometown area of Jacksonville, Fla., before signing a record deal and heading out on tour. "The Needle and the Spoon," from 1974's Second Helping, examines the pitfalls of hard drugs that were becoming more available the more famous the band became. They were learning on the fly when it came to substance abuse, and the lessons were often harsh. 

A bittersweet track to say the least. The song was part of Skynyrd's First and...Last, the compilation album released in 1978, following the tragic plane crash. Most of the songs on the album were written and recorded in the early 1970s. "Comin' Home" is arguably the highlight of the release. Though an uptempo number, listening to it knowing band members Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines, plus Gaines' sister Cassie, a back-up singer for the band, were gone, made the moment tough to take.

Guitarist Steve Gaines' time in Lynyrd Skynyrd was brief (joining in 1975) but left quite a mark on the band's legacy. Gaines' only studio album appearance with Skynyrd came on 1977's Street Survivors, released three days before the plane crash. "I Know a Little" was his most significant contribution to the album. Gaines wrote the track, which showcased his tremendous guitar-playing ability and what could have been going forward for the talented, young musician and the band.

The Skynyrd influences ran deeper and were far and wide. Most notably, their collective love of blues rock. The band paid homage to that specific area with its cover of J.J. Cale's "Call Me the Breeze," from Second Helping. The track has been covered countless times, but Lynyrd Skynyrd's version is arguably the most recognizable and best of the bunch — even better than Eric Clapton's recorded take from 2014.

Another strong offering from Second Helping, "Workin' for MCA" gives a condensed version of the band's initial signing with the MCA recording label. Skynyrd — singer Ronnie Van Zant, specifically — had no problem speaking their mind through lyrics.  They only knew about being honest, and doing so for the whole rock-and-roll world to listen added to the band's overall credibility and popularity. 

The early, classic Skynyrd lineup was comprised of self-proclaimed "rednecks." Yet, Ronnie Van Zant, and presumably others in the band, were proponents of gun control, which is the theme of the song. One of the band's most recognizable tunes, "Saturday Night Special," the opening track from Nuthin' Fancy, reached No. 27 on Billboard's Hot 100.

Consider this Gimme Back My Bullets' closer as Ronnie Van Zant's musical diary of traveling America and the world. An ode to his travels, and the sights and sounds he's experienced, especially the open spaces, daunting mountains and rolling countryside. No matter all the success and glory the band had earned, they were still country boys at heart, and they appreciated the simple life. 

Despite the fact that co-writers Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, and Ed King weren't from Alabama, they came together to create what's arguably the rock anthem of the South. From King's count-off into the famous opening riff to Van Zant's request to "turn it up," "Sweet Home Alabama," from Second Helping, is one of the most iconic songs in music history. It was sort of the band's answer to Neil Young's "Southern Man." It reached No. 8 on Billboard's Hot 100 and became of the title of a popular romantic comedy starring Reese Witherspoon.

No offense to "Sweet Home Alabama," but when it comes to Skynyrd's signature song, "Free Bird" is it. One can go to just about any rock concert, regardless the artist, and some drunk fan in the crowd will shout "Free Bird." The studio version from Pronounced cracked the top 20 of the Hot 100, and the live version from 1976 also charted well. Simply put, the nine-plus-minute tune is iconic. Known for its massive guitar solos and Ronnie Van Zant's sweet-sounding voice of freedom, if there's a song that truly defines "classic rock," this might be it.

One of the band's most popular tunes, but "That Smell" is also quite eerie considering the legacy of the Street Survivors album that it called home. The song chronicles the band's increased issues with alcohol and harder drugs, like cocaine and heroin. It particularly highlights guitarist Gary Rossington's car accident following a night of alcohol and drug abuse — serving a warning to the band that "tomorrow might not be here for you" and "the smell of death surrounds you."

From Second Helping, "Don't Ask Me No Questions" was never a hit for the band, but over the years earned a solid shelf life on classic rock radio. It's a tune, complete with some Skynyrd's collectively superb guitar work, about those early naysayers — critics, club owners, music executives — who shunned or dissed the group. The same doubters later came around looking to join the fun or demand time from the boys upon their initial and ultimately sustained success. 

Another special moment from Skynyrd's debut album. Along the lines of "Free Bird," the song is rather straightforward in terms of meaning. Don't necessarily be someone you're not — an approach Ronnie Van Zant took to heart, for better or worse. "Simple Man" is also a perfect example of Gary Rossington's solid guitar work. Like the title, Rossington's playing on this piece is simply solid, without drawing too much attention to itself. 

The aforementioned "I Know a Little" might be Steve Gaines' individual shining moment within Lynyrd Skynyrd, but his work with Ronnie Van Zant on this Street Survivors' classic is a special part of the band's legacy. Gaines not only co-wrote the song and stars on guitar, but also trades lead vocals with Van Zant on this upbeat number about those who just can't sit back or stand still and watch life go by. 

One of Skynyrd's most successful tracks, peaking at No. 13 on Billboard's Hot 100. Another great story song, at one point roughly detailing a hotel bar fight involving members of the band's road and stage crew. It's also one Lynyrd Skynyrd tune that truly encompasses the collective talent within the band. From Ronnie Van Zant's vocals to the overall guitar work to Billy Powell's high-level piano playing, it's pretty much what fans loved — and still cherish — about the group. 

With its memorable opening guitar riff, "Gimme Three Steps" offers some roundabout details about the true story of Ronnie Van Zant facing down the barrel of a gun from a guy whose girlfriend had been dancing with the legendary Skynyrd frontman at a Jacksonville bar. It's one of the band's most popular songs, a classic-rock radio staple and an undisputed highlight of the group's live sets — all the way back to the early days. 

There might not be a better homage to the band's love of the blues than "Curtis Loew," the Side Two opener from Second Helping. Legend has it, Curtis Loew is not actually a real person, but rather a combination of characters from Ronnie Van Zant's Jacksonville neighborhood growing up. Paced by some exceptional guitar playing, "The Ballad of Curtis Loew" is one of Lynyrd Skynyrd's most unheralded cuts, and a song that should be rightfully celebrated along with its well-known hits.

From (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd), "Tuesday's Gone" is not just any token song about taking to the road, leaving comfort and loved ones behind. It's a sweet ballad, directed at nobody in particular, that offers a pleasant element of vulnerability. The double guitar work of Gary Rossington and Allen Collins is subtly powerful, and Billy Powell's piano solo is one of the great individual musical moments within the Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy. Metallica, with Rossington in tow, recorded a stellar cover, and the song was perfectly placed within the 1993 coming-of-age classic Dazed and Confused.