"Free Bird", also spelled as one word "Freebird", is a song by American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, written by guitarist Allen Collins and lead singer Ronnie Van Zant. The song was released on their 1973 debut studio album. Released as a single in November 1974, "Free Bird" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 on November 23 at No. 87 and became the band's second Top 40 hit in early 1975, peaking at No. 19 on January 25. A live version of the song, recorded at Atlanta's Fox Theater and included on the album One More From The Road, re-entered the charts in late 1976, eventually peaking at No. 38 in January 1977.