Demo For Skynyrd’s Groovy Song ‘Junkie’ Will Have You Hooked From The Start

theweeklings.com

Lynyrd Skynyrd has graced the rock and roll world with some outstanding tracks over the years: “Free Bird,” “Simple Man,” “Poison Whiskey,” “Still Unbroken”…and the list goes on. But just like any artist, Skynyrd recorded some songs that for whatever reason, didn’t make the final cut for an album. 

That doesn’t mean that these unreleased songs are of any lower quality than the tracks that appear on Skynyrd’s studio albums. Rather, these demos offer fans a chance to hear Skynyrd in a more raw and natural form than ever before.

Fortunately for fans, they got the chance to hear some of these previously unknown demos when the box set Lynyrd Skynyrd was released in 1991. The set featured a countless number of outtakes, demos, and live recordings, including a demo for one of the band’s earliest songs, called “Junkie.”

“Junkie” was written by lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Allen Collins. The 3:48 song tells the story of a man who feels lonely and sad all the time, as he sings, “Disillusions fillin’ my head/Never happy, I wished I was dead.” Despite its mournful message, the tune has a bit of a groovy feel, which especially comes out during a large instrumental break in the middle of the song.

Those who never purchased the Lynyrd Skynyrd box set were missing out on a lot, because “Junkie” was just one of the many gems featured in the collection. If you’ve never heard this demo track before, then you’re in luck, because we found an audio clip of it online for you to enjoy below.

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd & Second Helping Live’ is available now on DVD, Blu-ray and digital formats – it’s the perfect gift for the Lynyrd Skynyrd fan in your life. Buy it here on Amazon!

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