The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Whiskey bottles, and brand new cars
Oak tree you're in my way
There's too much coke and too much smoke
Look what's going on inside you
Oh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Oh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you
Angel of darkness is upon you
Stuck a needle in your arm
So take another toke, have a blow for your nose
One more drink fool, will drown you
Oh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Oh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you
Now they call you Prince Charming
Can't speak a word when you're full of 'ludes
Say you'll be all right come tomorrow
But tomorrow might not be here for you
Oh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Oh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you
Hey, you're a fool you
Stick them needles in your arm
I know I been there before
One little problem that confronts you
Got a monkey on your back
Just one more fix, Lord might do the trick
One hell of a price for you to get your kicks
Oh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Oh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you
Oh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Oh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you
Oak tree you're in my way
There's too much coke and too much smoke
Look what's going on inside you
Oh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Oh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you
Angel of darkness is upon you
Stuck a needle in your arm
So take another toke, have a blow for your nose
One more drink fool, will drown you
Oh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Oh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you
Now they call you Prince Charming
Can't speak a word when you're full of 'ludes
Say you'll be all right come tomorrow
But tomorrow might not be here for you
Oh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Oh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you
Hey, you're a fool you
Stick them needles in your arm
I know I been there before
One little problem that confronts you
Got a monkey on your back
Just one more fix, Lord might do the trick
One hell of a price for you to get your kicks
Oh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Oh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you
Oh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Oh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
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Lynard Skynard cover live.....I like this version....it has has a crisp sound to it...and Brad was right....from a time when Rock and Roll was really Rock and Roll...
I cant decide wather i love or hate this song. Its a good song, but i dont know if i like how 3dd is covering a lynard skynard song. I mean LS is the only country band i like, but 3dd covering it?
SKETCHY
Lynyrd Skynyrd is southern rock, not country, by the way.
I think this song is just about drugs. lol.
Lynard Skynyrd is deffently not country. I like this cover, they did a good job.
kick ass cover, wish they would do a studio version of it. all about the perils of drug abuse, the classic rock n roll story we have all heard a thousand times, but the details are gritty enough that this song stands out amongst them all
3dd did a very good cover of this song.
Laxboss calls Lynyrd Skynyrd a "country band", and he can't even spell their name right. Get a clue. For $4000, Alex: what band does the longest ROCK song ever recorded?? LYNYRD SKYNYRD = Freebird!! Is that "country"?? I think not.
A bit of trivia: Ronnie Van Zant's high school gym teacher's name was "Leonard Skinner"...you do the math.
As for 3DD's cover of "That Smell", it's awesome! They definitely did it justice. xx_3DD_Fan says, "I think this song is just about drugs. lol"......what a shallow perception. Sure, it's about drugs, but more to the heart, it's about the destruction and despair caused by the excesses of drug addiction and abuse. Ever woke up in a room you don't remember ever seeing before and smelling "that smell"?? Ever smelled death before? You'll know it when you do.......... lol .........please, gimme a break.
haha if you want me to be honest, I think this song is about the smell of cooking a spoon oh my haha I'm a true r0ck sT*r