Nothin'
JOHN T. VAN ZANDT Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I didn't want nothin'
Just thought I would call
And say
What's up
To my number one son
If you call me back
A number that me
And mom
Dug up
Out on googles.com
I don't know if you know who Scott Rudin is
But I read that even his balls are pure gold
I don't mean to get all up into your biz
But how else you gonna get some of your writing sold?
I hear Scott's a fag
Y'all got that in common
And while I do not
Condone
Gay sex
You got that fat student loan
The lyrics in JOHN T. VAN ZANDT's song "Nothin'" are complex and layered, offering different interpretations depending upon the listener's perspective. The song is a conversation recorded on voicemail between a father and his son. The father initiates the conversation by calling his son and asking how he is doing. He further informs his son that he did not want anything, but he merely called to say hi to his number one son. The father then offers to provide his son with a phone number they found online, which could be useful to him.
The conversation shifts as the father starts talking about a certain individual named Scott Rudin, whom he refers to as someone with immense wealth. The father then goes ahead to insinuate that Scott Rudin's genitals might also be made of gold. The father brings up Scott Rudin's name because he believes his son should be more tactical in selling his writing by getting to know the right people in the industry, just like Scott Rudin. However, the father also mentions that he heard Scott was homosexual, just like the son, and they had that in common. The father concludes by informing his son that he has a student loan.
Based on the lyrics mentioned above, it is safe to say that the conversation between the father and son is complicated. The father seems to be informing his son about all the things he knows or thinks he knows about the world, while the son tries to listen and respond politely to his father's ramblings. The song also touches on delicate issues such as homophobia and the pursuit of wealth. Ultimately, the song is an emotionally charged exploration of the complex relationship between a father and his son.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey son, it's your dad
Father calling son
I didn't want nothin'
Father calls son to say 'hi' with no agenda
Just thought I would call
Father calls without a specific reason
And say
Father wants to chat
What's up
Father wants to know how his son is doing
To my number one son
Father expressing his love for his son
If you call me back
Father wants to hear from his son
I'll give you a number
Father wants to share a phone number
A number that me
Father has a phone number to share
And mom
Mother also knows the phone number
Dug up
The parents found the phone number while searching online
Out on googles.com
Website where the phone number was found
I don't know if you know who Scott Rudin is
Father asking son if he's familiar with Scott Rudin
But I read that even his balls are pure gold
Father heard that Scott Rudin is very successful
I don't mean to get all up into your biz
Father doesn't want to be too intrusive
But how else you gonna get some of your writing sold?
Father thinks Scott Rudin can help his son sell his writing
I hear Scott's a fag
Father might be prejudiced against LGBT people
Y'all got that in common
Father and son both share something in common with Scott Rudin
And while I do not
Father distancing himself from homosexuality
Condone
Father doesn't approve of homosexuality
Gay sex
Father is talking about homosexuality
You got that fat student loan
Father reminds his son of his financial situation
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Michael R. Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
William Spitzer
It's insane how under-rated Townes Van Zandt is
Jimmie MacD
Was**
William Spitzer
@Jimmie MacD well technically speaking lol but I think Townes lives on through his music so that's why I put "is"
Michael Hughes
Absolute proof that authenticity comes ONLY when you live your honest truth. Could of been famous as any other "star". But he wasn't in it to exploit it. He was just wanted someone to hear his truth . Thank goodness he got enough word of mouth to be shared among the diehards who still hope that truth actually exists.
6dogs
To me it's not that shocking because as real as his music is only the realest will be listening to it and there isn't many real people in the world what so ever
Dermot
Absolutely insane my friend I plan to play his music and let the mans word provail.....hope the stars know it's time to shine wow❤
Arnie Garcia
This song cuts deep into your soul. I never get tired of hearing it.
James Holden
Nothin was the first song I heard and it blew my mind!. It was on a DVD about Townes's life and it's called Be Here To Love Me. Anyone out there reading this should get this DVD. It's terrific! It wasn't Townes singing this song on it, It was his son JT VAN ZANDT, and he's pure brilliant! Check it out all Townes fans.
kolonel Franz
Songwriter, musician, poet, troubadour, he has it all. A hidden gem in music history, if only he knew people now and for centuries to come are still listening and feeling his work.. A true Texas legend.
Omair Sheikh
One of my favourite songs of all time. So haunting