"Free Bird" Lynyrd Skynyrd If I leave here tomorrow Would you still remember me? For I must be traveling on now 'Cause there's too many places I've got to see. But if I stayed here with you, girl, Things just couldn't be the same. 'Cause I'm as free as a bird now, And this bird you can not change, oh, oh, oh, oh. And this bird you can not change. And this bird you can not change. Lord knows I can't change. Bye, bye, baby, it's been a sweet love, yeah, Though this feeling I can't change. But please don't take it so badly, 'Cause Lord knows I'm to blame. But if I stayed here with you, girl, Things just couldn't be the same. 'Cause I'm as free as a bird now, And this bird you'll never change, oh, oh, oh, oh. And this bird you cannot change. And this bird you cannot change. Lord knows, I can't change. Lord, help me, I can't change. Lord, I can't change. Won't you fly high, free bird, yeah? "Free Bird",[2][3][4] or "Freebird",[5][6][7] is a power ballad by the American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. The song was first featured on the band's debut album in 1973 and has been included on subsequent albums released by the band, including the previously unreleased, unfaded-ending version of the original recording (featured on Skynyrd's Innyrds). Amazon.com music reviewer Lorry Fleming calls it "the most-requested song in the history of rock music."[8] Released as a single in November 1974, "Free Bird" bowed at No. 87 on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 23 and became the band's second Top 40 hit in early 1975, where it peaked at No. 19.[9] A live version of the song also reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1977, peaking at No. 38.[9] "Free Bird" also achieved the No. 3 spot on Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar Solos.[10] It is used as a finale by Lynyrd Skynyrd during their live performances and is their longest song, often going well over 14 minutes when played live.[citation needed] It is considered to be Lynyrd Skynyrd's signature song.[11] Ronnie Van Zant – vocals Allen Collins – lead guitar, acoustic guitar Gary Rossington – rhythm guitar, slide guitar Ed King – bass Billy Powell – piano Bob Burns – drums "Roosevelt Gook" (Producer Al Kooper) – organ, mellotron Additional personnel[edit] Steve Gaines – Addition of lead and rhythm guitar The addition of Steve Gaines returned Lynyrd Skynyrd to the formula that Ronnie Van Zant felt gave the band its first road to success with a three-headed lead guitar sound. Collins' "Free Bird" solo at the end was changed so that the two guitars were complementing and challenging each other throughout that solo. Cover versions[edit] The American dance-pop group Will to Power created a medley of this song and the 1976 Peter Frampton song "Baby, I Love Your Way" in 1988. Titled "Baby, I Love Your Way/Freebird Medley", it spent one week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[9] Molly Hatchet covered the song on their 1985 live album Double Trouble Live. It was released as a promo single.[24] It was also covered by Wynonna Judd on the 1994 tribute album Skynyrd Frynds. The song was also covered by Bronx Casket Co. on their 2005 album Hellectric in Goth style. American jam band Phish often performs an a cappella version of the song live.