Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I was cutting the rug down at a place called The Jug
With a girl named Linda Lou
When in walked a man with a gun in his hand
And he was looking for you-know-who
He said, "Hey there fellow with the hair colored yellow
What you trying to prove?
'Cause that's my woman there and I'm a man who cares
And this might be all for you"
I said, "Excuse me"

[Verse 2]
I was scared and fearing for my life
I was shaking like a leaf on a tree
'Cause he was lean, and mean, and
Big and bad, Lord, a-pointing that gun at me
"Oh wait a minute, mister, I didn't even kiss her
Don't want no trouble with you
And I know you don't owe me but I wish you would let me
Ask one favor from you"

[Chorus]
"Oh won't you give me three steps, gimme three steps, mister
Gimme three steps towards the door?
Gimme three steps, gimme three steps, mister
And you'll never see-a me no more
For sure"
[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 3]
Well the crowd cleared away and I began to pray
And the water fell on the floor
And I'm telling you, son, well, it ain't no fun
Staring straight down a forty-four
Well he turned and there screamed at Linda Lou
And that's the break I was looking for
And you could hear me screaming a mile away
As I was headed out towards the door

[Chorus]
"Oh won't you give me three steps, gimme three steps, mister
Gimme three steps towards the door?
Gimme three steps, gimme three steps, mister
And you'll never see-a me no more
Show me the back door"

If you're a fan of classic rock and haven't heard of Lynyrd Skynyrd, you're missing out on some of the greatest anthems of the genre. Gimme Three Steps is one such song that you just can't miss out on. Released in 1973, the song is a classic tale of a man getting into trouble after hitting on the wrong girl.

But of course, there's more to this story than just a simple love triangle. The lyrics of Gimme Three Steps go deeper into the partying lifestyle of the band, which is described in great detail in their VH1 Behind The Music Documentary. Despite the song's popularity, not many people know the story behind it.

About Gimme Three Steps

The song begins with the protagonist trying to dance with a woman at a party. However, this woman's jealous boyfriend takes offense and gets into a physical altercation with him. The protagonist then pleads with the boyfriend to let him go and offers to leave the woman alone, asking for "three steps towards the door."

Interestingly, the song is based on a true event that happened to Lynyrd Skynyrd's lead singer, Ronnie Van Zant. While playing a gig in Jacksonville, Florida, Van Zant got into a fight with a man who accused him of dancing with his girlfriend. In real life, Van Zant had to take more than just "three steps towards the door," as the man chased him out of the venue with a gun. Luckily, Van Zant managed to escape unscathed.

The song's lyrics are incredibly catchy, with the chorus repeating the phrase "Gimme three steps, gimme three steps mister, gimme three steps towards the door." This phrase has become synonymous with the song, and it's impossible not to sing along.

As is the case with most Lynyrd Skynyrd songs, Gimme Three Steps is driven by incredible guitar riffs. The opening chords immediately capture the listener's attention, and the solo towards the end of the song is nothing short of epic. The drums and bass provide a solid foundation, making the song impossible to resist dancing to.

Overall, Gimme Three Steps is a classic rock song that perfectly captures the wild partying lifestyle of Lynyrd Skynyrd in the 1970s. It's catchy, fun, and incredibly well-written, with a backstory that only adds to its charm. The next time you're in the mood for some old-school rock and roll, make sure to give this song a listen.

• Release Date: August 13, 1973
• Artist: Lynyrd Skynyrd