TikTok Musician Goes Viral Shredding A Banjo Cover Of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird”

Inject this into my veins. Though there’s been strong competition for the most iconic American songs throughout the history of music, ranging from the likes of Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” to John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” as time marches on, it feels like Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” has taken the crown over the past few years.

Hardly needing an introduction, the track is arguably the legendary southern rock band’s signature song, up there with the likes of “Simple Man” and “Sweet Home Alabama.” Appearing on their iconic 1973 debut album, Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd, “Free Bird” was released as the second and final single off the record. At the time, however, it didn’t get the love it truly deserved, peaking at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 upon its release.

Over the years, thanks in part to many on social media falling in love with the track and making some stellar edits, it has firmly placed itself into consideration as one of the greatest rock songs of all time, also getting placement among the best guitar solos and arrangements in history.

Simply put, it’s one of those tracks that nearly everyone seems to love, for good reason. In turn, we’ve seen some absolutely incredible interpretations of it over the years, ranging from Chris Stapleton’s electric cover to unique, viral videos online, like the time a TikToker performed the solo on the popular Renaissance-era instrument, a lute.

This week, another killer cover of Skynyrd’s legendary song is going viral on TikTok once again, and this time, it’s on none other than one of country music’s signature instruments: the banjo.

On Tuesday, 19-year-old musician and TikToker, Harrison Saltzman, who has gone viral in the past covering “Free Bird,” uploaded a brand-new cover of the track on a banjo, and I never would have imagined it could ever sound so good.

@harrison.saltzman Free Bird but extra yee haw #banjo #guitar #freebird #foryou ♬ original sound – Harrison

It seems like any stellar cover of “Free Bird,” especially played on a unique instrument, is bound to go viral these days. Saltzman’s cover, however, has seemingly been everywhere the past two days. In under 48 hours, the TikTok has racked up a staggering 5.2 million views, 971,000 likes, 4,870 comments, 141,000 shares and 82,600 bookmarks.

The comment section, in particular, is an absolute goldmine. Outside of the obvious praise for the performance, many of the top comments are riffing off the “Free Bird” title and replacing it with other, more country-specific bird species.

“Started off pretty good but then I was like ‘GODDAMN HE WASN’T KIDDING”

“Today I learned it’s possible to shred a banjo”

“This honestly sounds like it was meant to be on a banjo”

“cranking on a banjo is genuinely insane“

“Freedom was summoned“

“The most Lynyrd a person has ever Skynyrd”

“Doesn’t get more southern than this”

“MERICA IS COMMIN BACK!!!!”

Just in case “Free Bird” (somehow) isn’t quite your speed, the day before, Satlzman also uploaded another cover of Charlie Daniels’ “The Devil Went Down to Georgia, shredding Daniels’ iconic fiddle solo on the banjo as well. Spoiler alert: it’s also incredible.

@harrison.saltzman “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” but on banjo #banjo #guitar #foryou ♬ original sound – Harrison

I think the next logical step for Saltzman would be to shred with Billy Strings, but I digress. Before you go, fire up Skynyrd’s original for ‘ol time’s sake.

 The post TikTok Musician Goes Viral Shredding A Banjo Cover Of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.