ROCK MOMENT – Lynyrd Skynyrd ‘Call Me The Breeze’
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Call Me the Breeze’ remains one of the most exhilarating tracks in the band’s catalog, a high-velocity boogie that showcases everything fans loved about the group—gutsy vocals, fiery guitars, and a rhythm section built for the open road. Though many listeners consider it a quintessential Skynyrd song, its roots reach back to J.J. Cale, the Oklahoma songwriter whose understated, bluesy style deeply influenced musicians like Eric Clapton and the Skynyrd boys. Cale first released the tune on his 1971 album Naturally, framing it with a relaxed shuffle and the mechanical pulse of a drum machine.
When Lynyrd Skynyrd entered the studio to record their second album, Second Helping, in late 1973, Ronnie Van Zant pushed for ‘Call Me the Breeze’ to be included. Produced by Al Kooper, the album marked a major turning point for the band. Their 1973 debut had introduced them to the world, but Second Helping would define them. Recorded mostly at Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles, the band had more confidence, more swagger, and a clearer sense of their sound.
Second Helping delivered some of Skynyrd’s most iconic songs—most famously ‘Sweet Home Alabama,‘ which became their first Top 10 hit. But the album also showcased their range, from the soulful ‘The Ballad of Curtis Loew’ to the gritty ‘Workin’ for MCA.’ ‘Call Me the Breeze’ added a jolt of speed and fun, giving the record one of its most energetic moments.
Skynyrd completely reimagined Cale’s original. Gary Rossington and Allen Collins built a twin-guitar attack that turned the song into a Southern-rock barn burner, while Billy Powell added a rollicking piano part that quickly became a fan favorite. Artimus Pyle and Leon Wilkeson kicked the tempo into high gear, giving the track a road-racing momentum that made it a staple of Skynyrd’s live shows.
Although never released as a single, ‘Call Me the Breeze’ helped solidify Second Helping as one of the defining albums of the 1970s rock era. Today, the song stands as a celebration of freedom, motion, and the band’s unstoppable energy—a perfect mix of J.J. Cale’s songwriting finesse and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Southern-rock fire.
