Sweet Home Alabama

Amp settings (as recorded)

The recording

The track was recorded in June 1973 at Studio One in Doraville, Georgia, produced by Al Kooper and engineered by Rodney Mills. The core backing track—consisting of Ed King's lead guitar, Leon Wilkeson’s bass, and Bob Burns’ drums—was recorded as a live ensemble piece. Ed King has noted in interviews that he recorded the riff effortlessly as a first-take after a dream, struggling with the specific Stratocaster he chose because he found it difficult to play. The famous 'Turn it up' line at the start was Ronnie Van Zant requesting more volume in his headphones, not a directive to the guitarists.