Southern rock will never die, and these four anthems have become legendary tracks of the genre. If you need to bulk up your Southern rock playlist for a killer road trip, add these four jams to the mix!
1. “Ramblin’ Man” by The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band were masters of Southern rock, and “Ramblin’ Man” from 1973 is probably their most beloved piece of work. It’s an upbeat and addictive song with one of the best guitar riffs of any song in the genre. The song itself was inspired by a similar song written by Hank Williams in 1951, but this track has taken on a life of its own. “Ramblin’ Man” is a classic that will always age well.
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2. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
This would definitely not be a list of Southern rock anthems without “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. This 1974 track is an absolute classic, especially for those who were born and bred in the Heart of Dixie. It’s fallen out of favor in recent years due to the band’s use of the Confederate Flag and the fact that the song is a diss response to Neil Young’s “Southern Man”, which criticized the American South and slavery. But without that context, it’s still a pretty classic song.
3. “Long Haired Country Boy” by Charlie Daniels Band
We couldn’t forget Charlie Daniels Band on this list. “Long Haired Country Boy” is hard to pin as a Southern rock band or as a country band. When it comes down to it, Charlie Daniels Band was firmly somewhere in the middle, depending on which era you listen to. But one can’t deny the Southern rock leanings of “Long Haired Country Boy” from 1974.
4. “Sharp Dressed Man” by ZZ Top
The bearded guitarists of ZZ Top have become as synonymous with Southern rock as The Allman Brothers Band. ZZ Top released a ton of Southern rock classics during their heyday, but “Sharp Dressed Man” from 1983 is probably the most iconic anthem in the genre from the 1980s. It’s particularly well-loved in the state of Texas, where you’ll hear it on virtually any radio station in the Lone Star State.
Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns
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