When my times up, I’ll hold my own
You won’t find me in an old folks home
A great duet between Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines on the album Street Survivors. The album peaked at #5 on the Billboard Album Charts, #3 in Canada, #13 in the UK, and #36 in New Zealand in 1977-78.
In 1975 Ed King quit the band in Pittsburgh after he couldn’t take the madness anymore. That tour was called the Torture Tour because they hardly had any breaks at all. In that band alcohol and drugs were very prevalent. It’s difficult to tell what Lynyrd Skynyrd enjoyed more… consuming dangerous amounts of alcohol and drugs… or writing rock songs warning about consuming dangerous amounts of alcohol and drugs. This song isn’t about drugs but many were.
Gaines replaced Ed King as the band’s guitarist in 1976 but died in the 1977 plane crash that also claimed the lives of lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and Gaines’ sister Cassie, who was a backup singer for the group. This song provides a glimpse of songwriting and guitar talent.
Steve Gaines was a special talent. He wasn’t into drinking, drugs, or fighting like the other guys were. I personally believe he would have gone far in music outside of that band. There is guitar playing on Street Survivors which you never heard with that band before. Very sophisticated chord patterns and riffs with songs like “I Never Dreamed.”
Steve joined the band as a guitarist in 1976. Gaines had an immediate impact, writing or co-writing four of the eight songs on Street Survivors, which was released three days before the group’s plane crashed in Mississippi, killing Gaines, his sister Cassie (a backup singer with the group), and Van Zant.
On Street Survivors two songs had another person singing lead vocals…and that would be Steve Gaines. Van Zant let him sing one by himself (Ain’t No Good Life) and he shared vocals with this song for a duet. It would be the only album during the classic period that Van Zant didn’t sing lead.
You Got That Right peaked at #63 on the Billboard 100 and #69 in Canada after the crash. What’s Your Name was the first single and reached the top twenty in America and #6 in Canada.
You Got That Right
Well I’ve heard lots of people say
They’re gonna settle down
You don’t see their faces
And they don’t come around
Well I’m not that way
I got to move along
I like to drink and to dance all night
Comes to a fix not afraid to fight
You got that right
Said, you got that right
Sure got that right
Seems so long I been out on my own
Travel light and I’m always alone
Guess I was born with a travelin’ bone
When my times up, I’ll hold my own
You won’t find me in an old folks home
You got that right
Well you got that right
Said, you got that right
Sure got that right
I tried everything in my life
Things I like I try ’em twice
You got that right
Sure got that right
Travelin’ around the world, just singing my song
I got to go, Lord I can’t stay long
Here comes that ol’ travelin’ jones once again
I like to drink and to dance all night
Comes to a fix not afraid to fight
You got that right
Said, you got that right
Well you got that right
Sure got that right
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Even if the old folk’s home is impeccably clean, there are bound to be some nasty smells in there.
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Lots of stuff there I didn’t know, particularly about Gaines contributions.
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Gaines…and this is a hell of a bold statement…would have been in the SRV company….that is how good he was.
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As much as I appreciate guitar, only an analyst and player would know that stuff!
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No one will ever know truly…sadly.
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some nice guitarwork in there. Has just a little bit of that ‘What’s your name’ sound to it.
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Yea it was recorded in the same sessions. I just told Randy…and I truly believe this…he would have been up in a SRV catagory….that is how good this guy was.
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Yeah! This sounds great. I know this song but not sure from the radio, the album, or the jukebox. It seriously jams.
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I thought you would know it…we are taking off now….
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$$$$$$$$$$$$—–>YOU
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Not ones for a quiet night in catching up on sleep while on tour, judging by the lyrics.
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No…not a Canadian band! lol
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It seems like Gaines could have added much needed stability to the group. It’s a tragedy.
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He elevated them in his short time…it really is
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Been a while since I have heard this. I never noticed the two different voices.
Love the bassist with the top hat. Reminds me of Tom Petty.
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He was cool and a great under appreciated bass player….that was his thing…wearing crazy hats.
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Excellent tune with great guitar action. From “Street Survivors” I only know “What’s Your Name” and “That Smell.” This makes me want to listen to the entire album!
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It’s worth it…they put out 3 great albums and this is one of them…and 2 good albums in the classic formation.
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I like their first two albums in particular. “Street Survivors” looks great as well!
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It’s up there with the first two albums…You know more than you think…You will remember a few that I posted…like I Never Dreamed and others.
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Lovely post. I Never Dreamed was my fave track off the album.
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Thank you! Thats me also…in fact…that is my favorite song by them period. There is a sophistication to I Never Dreamed that Gaines brought….just a beautiful song.
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I didn’t realise Gaines was around for such a short time – seems very unfair.
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It was…his level of guitar playing and songwriting was up there.
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We have a new FAcebook group for 1970s songwriters: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1168425467165422
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Thanks…I’ll check it out…I just joined.
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