Released August 13, 1973 Length 4:57 | Genre Southern rock Label MCA Records | |
Recorded Studio One, Doraville, Georgia, April 30, 1973 Writer(s) Ronnie Van Zant
Gary Rossington | ||
Things Goin' On was written in 1973 by Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington, the lead vocalist and guitarist from Lynyrd Skynyrd. It appeared on the band's first album (pronounced 'lĕh-'nérd 'skin-'nérd) and expressed concerns about social and environmental issues, with especial criticism of politicians' role in such issues. The song was distinct from other contemporary protest-songs in that it utilized the sound of Muscle Shoals, Alabama blues licks made popular by both Eric Clapton and Duane Allman's honky tonk melodies, though this was in keeping with Lynyrd Skynyrd's country-rock image.
Composition
The first verse, which expressed concern about life in the ghetto is repeated at the end of the song, thereby placing emphasis on this particular issue. It also contains the line that gives the song its title:
Well, have you ever lived down in the ghetto Have you ever felt that cold wind blow Well, if you don't know what I mean Won't you stand up and scream Cause there's things goin' on that you don't knowThe first line of the song is particularly pertinent in that it asks the listener whether he has ever lived down in the ghetto; support for segregation was still widespread in the southern United States at the time and Lynyrd Skynyrd risked alienating a large number of potential fans before the group became an established act.
The thinly veiled criticism of politicians' responsibility mentioned earlier in the song becomes more evident towards the end of the final verse:
I don't think they really care I think they just sit up there ...