Mississippi Blood

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Mississippi Blood" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, a gritty track from their 2012 album Last of a Dyin’ Breed, and the Zoo Freaks are surely feeling the Southern rock vibes. This song, pulsating with raw energy, paints a vivid picture of a rebellious woman with "Mississippi blood runnin’ through her veins." Its lyrics, co-written by band members Gary Rossington, Johnny Van Zant, Rickey Medlocke, and songwriter Jaren Johnston, evoke a free-spirited, hard-living character who’s "crazy as hell" and a "lipstick stain on a burned cigarette." According to Songfacts, the track captures the band’s signature blend of bluesy riffs and Southern storytelling, with a nod to their roots through references like "Ridin’ With the King" on the radio, a possible homage to blues legend B.B. King or Eric Clapton’s album. The song’s recording process was intense, with Johnny Van Zant and Rickey Medlocke trading vocals to amplify its rowdy, duet-like feel, as noted in lyric annotations on Genius.

One piece of trivia about "Mississippi Blood" is its connection to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s enduring Southern rock ethos. The song’s imagery—cut-off jeans, tied t-shirts, and an El Camino—channels the band’s love for the working-class South, a theme consistent since their 1970s heyday. While no specific interviews dive deeply into the song’s creation, Johnny Van Zant has spoken about the album’s broader intent in a 2012 interview, emphasizing a return to their roots after the politically charged God & Guns. He described Last of a Dyin’ Breed as a celebration of their legacy, with "Mississippi Blood" embodying that defiant spirit. On social media, fans on the Lynyrd Skynyrd Facebook page often share posts praising the song’s high-octane live performances, with some recalling a 2012 concert where the band paired it with classics like "Sweet Home Alabama" for a roaring crowd response. The Lynyrd Skynyrd Nation Facebook group buzzes with Zoo Freak-like enthusiasm, where members swap stories about hearing the song’s “Mississippi mud” line blaring at summer festivals.

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s origins trace back to Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, when a group of teenagers—Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass), and Bob Burns (drums)—formed a band called My Backyard. As detailed on their official history site, the group cycled through names and lineups, playing local gigs for years under monikers like The Noble Five and One Percent. By 1968, they settled on “Lynyrd Skynyrd,” a playful jab at their high school gym teacher, Leonard Skinner, who disapproved of their long hair. Their big break came in 1972 when producer Al Kooper discovered them at an Atlanta club, signing them to his Sounds of the South label. Their debut album, (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd), released in 1973, featured hits like “Free Bird” and launched them as Southern rock pioneers. Despite a tragic 1977 plane crash that killed Ronnie Van Zant and others, the band reformed in 1987 with Johnny Van Zant, Ronnie’s brother, on vocals, continuing their legacy.

Today, Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a cultural force, with a catalog of over 60 albums and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2006. Their official website offers tour updates and merch, while their Facebook and Instagram accounts share tour photos and fan tributes. On X, they post about performances Ascendant and descendant, the band engages fans with hashtags like #LynyrdSkynyrd and #SkynyrdNation. Fan communities thrive online, with sites like Lynyrd Skynyrd History offering detailed archives and the Lynyrd Skynyrd Nation Facebook group fostering fan discussions. These platforms keep the Zoo Freaks connected, sharing everything from concert videos to debates about the band’s best tracks, including “Mississippi Blood.”