Things Goin' On

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“Things Goin' On”
Song by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Album	Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd
Released	September 1973
Recorded	Studio One, Doraville, Georgia
Genre	Southern Rock
Length	4:57
Label	MCA Records
Writer	Ronnie Van Zant Gary Rossington
Producer	Al Kooper
Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd track listing
"Simple Man" (4) “Things Goin' On” (5) "Mississippi Kid" (6)

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 Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd 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 a Western-style Honky Tonk melody, though this was in keeping with Lynyrd Skynyrd's country-rock image.

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 know

The 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 ...

The song's complete lyrics:

Have you ever lived down in the ghetto Have you ever felt the cold wind blow 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 know Ask them why they spend lives across the ocean Ask them why they spend millions on the moon Well, until they make things right Lots of people gonna be uptight They better make some changes pretty soon They gonna ruin the air that we breathe y'all They gonna ruin us all bye and bye Telling all you beware I don't think they really care Think they just sit up there and just get high Have you ever lived down in the ghetto Have you ever felt the cold wind blow 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 know 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 know