Sweet Home Alabama (Roll Tide Roll)

One of the biggest and best traditions at a University of Alabama football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium is singing along to “Sweet Home Alabama” during pregame.

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Today, I wanted to take a look at another staple for all Tide fans: “Sweet Home Alabama”.

Whether you are thinking back to the first time you heard it at Bryant-Denny before kickoff, listening to it now or going back to that memory of Forrest Gump playing for the Tide: we all know that song ties directly to our crimson roots.

I remember the first time I visited Bryant-Denny and the entire stadium erupted in synchronized harmony with our tried and true “Roll Tide Roll”.  Personally, I think the song should have been written that way from the start.  Just sounds better, don’t you think?

When the 101,821-plus (us included) get to singing that song for a moment in time, it seems as if the entire world has stopped at our request to sing that song. You can argue that during the entire game it is that way and is in most respects.

Next time you are at a game, take  a moment and really take it in.  You will see the family aspect and the extraordinary brilliance of that single gesture towards each other and our football team.

Tennessee’s head coach Butch Jones almost seemingly had a mild heart-attack when UT’s baseball stadium started playing it last year.

Needless to say, they don’t much care for “Sweet Home Alabama” on Rocky Top, but that’s okay  – we can all get our yearly dose at Bryant-Denny in the fall.  If you’re like me you probably have it on a handy playlist as well.

One thing is for sure: if you are an Alabama fan, student, or alumni, “Sweet Home Alabama” is one of only a few songs that we Bama fans hold near and dear to our hearts.

Believe it or not, it’s actually been 42 years since Lynyrd Skynyrd released this song. It is still one of the most played rock songs of all time and is tied into the hearts of not only the Crimson Tide faithful but much of the country. (Especially football in Alabama)

With a lot of speculation that the song was written to push back at Neil Young’s song “Southern Man”,  I choose to look at it for what it is: an anthem that we have turned into our pre-game, in-game and post-game morale boost.

It is safe to say that even after all these years, Lynyrd Skynyrd got it right.

“Sweet Home Alabama” will forever be tied to all UA sports predominantly Bryant-Denny and Bama football.

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I know we will be singing this tune for years to come and passing this gameday tradition on to our children and grandchildren.

Until next time, Roll Tide Roll.