Don’t Misunderstand Me – Rossington Collins Band | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#55); 1980
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
On October 20, 1977 the members of Lynyrd Skynyrd were five dates into what they called the “Tour of the Survivors.” Except for an engine fire on the way to the previous night’s gig in Greenville, SC, things were going well.
As they boarded the 30-year-old plane for the flight to Baton Rouge, the pilots assured them that it was safe. On the final leg the plane plummeted into a swamp; killing or injuring all aboard.
After months of healing and physical therapy, guitarists Gary Rossington and Allen Collins put together the Rossington Collins Band in 1979, with one-time 38 Special back-up singer, Dale Krantz, out front.
When RCB’s first album – Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere – yielded Don’t Misunderstand Me, it seemed as if the dark times had passed. Then, tragedy struck again when Allen’s wife died suddenly, and Gary broke his foot; forcing cancellation of a pending tour. After a second album in 1981, the RSB folded.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Allen Collins
- Barry Harwood
- Gary Rossington
Lyrics Written by:
- Dale Rossington
- Barry Harwood
- Dale Krantz
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).