Lynyrd Skynyrd was a success with their debut album, and continued to build a fan base when they opened for The Who on their Quadrophenia tour.  Many of the songs on their debut album were staples of their concerts in Jacksonville, Florida, where they had built their style over the years since the 60's.  Therefore it was not a sure thing that they would be able to sustain their success over time.  Those concerns were put to rest when they released their second album.

Second Helping, a southern colloquialism for getting more of the same thing at the dinner table, cemented Lynyrd Skynyrd as the flag bearer for the Southern Rock genre.  At a time when a number of British artists - most notably the Rolling Stones - were digging into the rock and blues music of the American South, Lynyrd Skynyrd was the real thing.  They rode the power of their triple guitar set and the wit of Ronnie Van Zandt's lyrics to a commercial success, with the album going to number 12 on the Billboard 200 chart and certified as gold by September 1974.  While contemporary critics were more lukewarm, those reviews have been revised way upward over time.  Second Helping also contains the biggest hit of the group as well, the Southern anthem "Sweet Home Alabama."

Lynyrd Skynyrd would go on to produce many more hit songs and records in the southern rock genre before tragedy took front man Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and backup singer Cassie Gaines in October 1977.  But Second Helping is the album that solidified their standing as an internationally successful band.

Wayne takes us through this album for this week's podcast, and Brian Dickhute joins us in Bruce's absence.

The Needle and the Spoon
This song would not be the only anti-drug track in the Skynyrd discography.  The lyrics describe a man coming out of rehab, and makes use of a wah wah pedal effect that was not common to most of Skynyrd's music, but fit with the heroin subject of the song.  

Swamp Music
Although not released as a single, this song got plenty of air play on FM radio, as did most of the tracks on this album.  This fast -paced track describes life in the Florida swamps.  The members of Lynyrd Skynyrd were well acquainted with outdoor life, fishing for catfish, hunting, and other "redneck" activities.

Sweet Home Alabama
Everyone knows this anthem of Southern rock.  This song was written in response to Neil Young's "Southern Man," in which the band felt like the entire Southern United States was blamed for slavery.  Between the hook of the leading riff and the catchy lyrics, this song has become a staple of classic rock. This is Skynyrd's only top 10 hit, as it went to number 8 on the US charts.  Interestingly, none of the band members are from Alabama.

Don't Ask Me No Questions
Gary Rossington and Ronnie Van Zandt wrote this song during a fishing trip.  Many think this is about a relationship, but it was a message to the record managers who were apathetic towards the band during the early days, but who turned demanding after they were a success.  

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

 Main theme from the television series, "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C."
In this sitcom spin-off from "The Andy Griffith Show," Jim Nabors plays the lovable but naive Gomer Pyle, now enlisted into the Marine Corp.  Frank Sutton, who played Sergent Carter in this series, passed away in June 1974.

STAFF PICKS:

Help Me by Joni Mitchell
Rob starts the staff picks with a single from Mitchell's sixth studio album, "Court and Spark."  This track is Mitchell's biggest single, and her only song to crack the top 10 in the US, going to  number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.  The lyrics describe a singer who knows she is falling for the wrong man, but is either powerless to stop it or doesn't want to call things off.

Dancing Machine by the Jackson 5
Brian brings us a song that hit number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 after a multi-year dry spell.  The Jackson 5 appeared on "Soul Train" performing this song, and Michael Jackson introduced the world to "the robot" dance routine.  The Jackson 5 had a Saturday morning cartoon which kept the group in the public conscious.

Waterloo by ABBA
Lynch features the song that made ABBA a household name when the Swedish group won the 1974 Eurovision Song contest singing this tune.  The lyrics compare falling in love to Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo.  The name "ABBA" comes from the first letter of each of the singers' names.

Tell Me Something Good by Rufus
Wayne presents a funky song from a group featuring Chaka Kahn as lead vocalist.  Rufus is a one-hit wonder, with this song peaking at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Stevie Wonder wrote this song about a woman looking for a deeper relationship, not just a one night stand.  It was the first hit song that utilized the vocoder. 

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Dance with the Devil by Cozy Powell
We close out with a drum instrumental based on Jimi Hendrix' "Third Stone from the Sun." 

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” 

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