"That Smell" is a song by the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Written by Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Allen Collins, it was released in 1977 on the album Street Survivors. At the time the song was written, the band had been drinking and doing many different drugs. Van Zant had said that he started drinking heavily to relieve the pressure of performing in front of large audiences.

Van Zant's inspiration for the song was the increasing reckless indulgences of the band members culminating in the evening when guitarist Gary Rossington got drunk and high and survived the crash of his new Ford Torino into an oak tree along Mandarin Road in Jacksonville, Florida, where the band was founded.

Van Zant was thus inspired to write the song as a warning about the consequences of careless overuse of drugs and alcohol. The song earned Rossington the moniker "Prince Charming" from Van Zant. Later when asked, Van Zant said, "I had a creepy feeling things were going against us, so I thought I'd write a morbid song." The lyrics cautioned that "tomorrow might not be here for you", and that "the smell of death surrounds you". Three days after the album was released, the band was devastated by a plane crash killing several members including Van Zant.

Lyrics

Whiskey bottles, and brand new cars

Oak tree you're in my way

There's too much coke and too much smoke

Look what's going on inside you

Ooooh that smell

Can't you smell that smell

Ooooh that smell

The smell of death surrounds you

Angel of darkness is upon you

Stuck a needle in your arm

So take another toke, have a blow for your nose

And one more drink fool, will drown you

Ooooh that smell

Can't you smell that smell

Ooooh that smell

The smell of death surrounds you

Now they call you Prince Charming

Can't speak a word when you're full of 'ludes

Say you'll be all right come tomorrow

But tomorrow might not be here for you

Ooooh that smell

Can't you smell that smell

Ooooh that smell

The smell of death surrounds you

Hey, you're a fool, you

Go on stick them needles in your arm

I know I been there before

One little problem that confronts you

Got a monkey on your back

Just one more fix, Lord might do the trick

One hell of a price for you to get your kicks

Ooooh that smell

Can't you smell that smell

Ooooh that smell

The smell of death surrounds you

Ooooh that smell

Can't you smell that smell

Ooooh that smell

The smell of death surrounds you

Hey, you're a fool, you

Go on stick those needles in your arm

You're just a fool, just a fool, just a fool

Songwriters: Allen Collins / Ronnie Van Zant

That Smell lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Ronnie Van Zant