The "smell" mentioned throughout the song is a metaphor for the looming presence of death. Van Zant wrote the lyrics as a "tough love" message to his bandmates, fearing that their collective substance abuse would lead to an early grave.
: Van Zant used this nickname for Rossington in the lyrics as a pointed jab at his friend's reckless behavior. 2. Metaphors of Mortality Lynyrd Skynyrd - That Smell
The song’s legacy is inextricably tied to the plane crash on October 20, 1977. Because the track was released a mere three days prior, its warnings about "tomorrow might not be here for you" took on an eerie, prophetic quality. Lynyrd Skynyrd's That Smell song analysis and guitar solos The "smell" mentioned throughout the song is a