Band member Gary Rossington based the lyrics on a real-life experience Ronnie Van Zant had at a bar in Jacksonville, Florida, having a gun pulled on him for dancing with another man's woman.

[1][better source needed] While the narrator dances with a girl named Linda Lou at a bar called The Jug, a man (either the girl's boyfriend or husband) armed with a .44 revolver enters and catches them, angrily believing her to be cheating and threatening the narrator's life.

When the man turns to shout at Linda Lou, the narrator takes advantage of the distraction and runs out.

[2] Of the live single released in 1977, Cash Box said it is "a traditional rock and roller, featuring some tight harmony vocals and the obligatory high-distortion guitar solo.

"[3] Record World said that "the triple pronged guitar attack and Ronnie Van Zandt's vocal have never sounded better.