Blackfoot Strikes album art, showcasing the band's name and album title, and featuring the iconic Southern rock track Highway Song.
When discussing the Mount Rushmore of Southern rock guitar epics, certain anthems immediately spring to mind. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Freebird” and The Outlaws’ “Green Grass and High Tides” often claim the top spots, undeniably iconic for their extended guitar jams. The Allman Brothers Band’s “Whipping Post” or “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed” could easily contend for a place among the legends. However, to complete this imagined monument of marathon guitar mastery, it’s time to spotlight a largely overlooked gem: “Highway Song” by Blackfoot.
While a version of Blackfoot tours even today, the band’s golden era and peak recognition occurred in the late 1970s. This period culminated in the 1979 album Blackfoot Strikes, which featured their breakthrough hit “Train Train.” Yet, nestled at the album’s end is “Highway Song,” a track that deserves far more acclaim.
Similar to “Freebird,” “Highway Song” begins with a captivating, slow vocal-led introduction, gradually building anticipation before unleashing a torrent of electrifying guitars. Echoing “Green Grass and High Tides,” the song’s chord progression provides a robust foundation for the unrestrained and passionate guitar solos that drive the song forward. Let’s be honest, it’s these breathtaking guitar extravaganzas that truly captivate us. The final three minutes of “Highway Song”, much like the climactic stretches of “Green Grass” (last 4 minutes) and “Freebird” (4½ studio version, 7½ live One More From The Road), are pure sonic bliss for any Southern rock aficionado.
So, dust off your bandannas, ignite your lighters, and prepare for some serious air-guitar shredding. Blackfoot, with “Highway Song,” is ready to strike a chord with a new generation of listeners.
