I think that the whole lot of you are wrong. This song is about taking comfort in escapism. I will agree that the family discussed in this song are a bunch of rednecks, but they are trying to make a honest life and are genuinely struggling. The narrator is trying to find a way out, and the only way he can is through identifying with the rock music he hears on the radio. Also, through my reading it seems as if Zevon has an admiration for Skynyrd for touching people who are at odds with such strife. This song was certainly not meant as a jab at rednecks or popular music, but an observation how low art and popular culture really do help in allowing people to withstand suffering.
I think that the whole lot of you are wrong. This song is about taking comfort in escapism. I will agree that the family discussed in this song are a bunch of rednecks, but they are trying to make a honest life and are genuinely struggling. The narrator is trying to find a way out, and the only way he can is through identifying with the rock music he hears on the radio. Also, through my reading it seems as if Zevon has an admiration for Skynyrd for touching people who are at odds with such strife. This song was certainly not meant as a jab at rednecks or popular music, but an observation how low art and popular culture really do help in allowing people to withstand suffering.