John Scott's Top 40 Songs from Jacksonville (Part II)

1. “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974) If you would have asked anyone in the mid-1970s, “which song do you think will be more popular throughout the years than it is now?” it is doubtful “Sweet Home Alabama” would have shown up anywhere on that list. But it is what it is. “Sweet Home Alabama” has a life of its own; from its humble beginnings as a reply to Neil Young’s “Southern Man”, it has lived on Classic Rock, classic Hits, Oldies and Country formats, not to mention the loudest sound heard during Jacksonville Jaguars games is when it is played in the stadium. It has sold millions. Its enduring popularity shows in that it is the second most downloaded song ever to be originally released in the 20th century (second only to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”). When the iconic guitar-picked intro comes on, I still cannot help but smile and of course shout along with Ronnie Van Zant, “turn it up.”

Once again, these are only charting singles. Other great songs have Jacksonville origins or connections that have no chart record. Amazing songs, anthems even. That’s for another article. Until then, keep singing.

This list is in two parts. 40 - 20 are found here.



Article by John Scott, part of Jacksonville's Big Show
on 99.1 WQIK on from 5:30AM - 10AM.