dThere was no shortage of talent or personalities among the musicians in ‘70s Lynyrd Skynyrd. But unlike some other huge bands of that era, songs not people were the real stars of Skynyrd. It’s why Lynyrd Skynyrd’s current lineup, with no classic-era members, continues to bring joy to big venues full of fans.

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s one of those elite bands with enough songs “they can’t leave the stage without playing” to fill an entire setlist.

“Free Bird.” “Sweet Home Alabama.” “Gimme Three Steps.” “Tuesday’s Gone.” “The Ballad of Curtis Loew.” “Call Me The Breeze.” “Workin’ for MCA.” “That Smell.” “What’s Your Name.” “Simple Man.”

Like any great band, Skynyrd’s catalog also contains juicy deep cuts and lesser-known gems.

Below are, in my opinion, the five most underrated Lynyrd Skynyrd songs. The parameters: Tracks released during the band’s 1972 to 1977 apex, but not on 1979 Skynyrd best-of compilation “Gold & Platinum.”

Now, to quote the band’s legendary singer Ronnie Van Zant, let’s “turn it up.”

5. “The Needle and The Spoon”

Not a song about crocheting and ice cream. “The Needle and The Spoon,” penned by Van Zant and guitarist Allen Collins, is Skynyrd’s entry into the pantheon of Great Rock Songs About Heroin. (See also: Neil Young’s “The Needle and the Damage Done,” Guns N’ Roses’ “Mr. Brownstone,” John Lennon’s “Cold Turkey,” and Velvet Underground’s sneakily titled “Heroin.”) Off ‘74 sophomore album “Second Helping,” “The Needle and The Spoon” soundtracks a cautionary tale with vintage Skynyrd swagger and rattlesnake guitars.

4. “Railroad Song”

Jimmy Hall, frontman from Alabama-founded band Wet Willie, rides shotgun here. Hall’s chugging harmonica weaves around Van Zant’s vocal lines. Bassist Leon Wilkeson and drummer Artimus Pyle lay down peppery grooves. Written by Van Zant and guitarist Ed King, “Railroad Song” is from Skynyrd’s third album, “Nuthin’ Fancy,” released in 1975. Like the band’s first two, the LP was produced by Al Kooper, also known for playing keyboards on Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” and The Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”

3. “Every Mother’s Son”

“Every Mother’s Son” exudes Ronnie Van Zant’s philosophical-fishing-buddy charm. The track, written by RVZ and Collins, boasts a gorgeous piano solo by guitar-centric Skynyrd’s secret weapon: keyboardist Billy Powell. There’s also hummable guitar tangle, courtesy of Allen Collins and Gary Rossington. It’s from the band’s penultimate classic-era studio album, 1976’s “Gimme Back My Bullets.” Guitarist Steve Gaines joined Skynyrd for ‘76 live double-LP “One More from the Road” and ‘77 studio finale “Street Survivors.”

2. “All I Can Do Is Write About It”

For a guy who gave and received a few black eyes offstage, Van Zant knew his way around a heartfelt tune. On “All I Can Do Is Write About It,” Van Zant sings about the natural beauty of his beloved South being encroached: “I can see the concrete creepin’. Lord, take me and mine before that comes.” Barry Lee Harwood — who came up in the Jacksonville, Florida, scene that produced Lynyrd Skynyrd and fellow Southern rock standouts like Allman Brothers, 38 Special, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, etc. — plays mandolin and dobro on “All I Can Do Is Write About It.” Written by Van Zant and Collins, the track closes “Gimme Back My Bullets.”

1. “Am I Losin’”

Perhaps Skynyrd’s most country-sounding classic cut. “Am I Losin’,” with music written by Rossington, finds Van Zant lamenting the departure of the band’s original drummer Bob Burns. As Artimus Pyle, who replaced Burns in Skynyrd and played drums on the track, told me in 2023, “Ronnie really missed Bob, and he wrote ‘Am I Losin’’ for Bob.” The song’s a personal favorite of Pyle’s, who added, “There’s not a bad Lynyrd Skynyrd song.”