Jonny Lang (born Jon Gordon Langseth, Jr. in Fargo, North Dakota, January 2… Read Full Bio ↴Jonny Lang (born Jon Gordon Langseth, Jr. in Fargo, North Dakota, January 29, 1981) is a Grammy Award-winning American singer and guitarist performing blues, gospel, soul, and rock music, his latest work being 2013's 'Fight For My Soul'. In 1995, at the age of 14, Lang released his first album, 'Smokin'. Performing both as himself and as as 'Kid Jonny Lang & The Big Bang', he achieved some budding success. As a result of the LP becoming a regional hit, a major-label bidding war ensued that culminated in Lang signing to A&M Records in 1996.

In 1997, at the age of 15, he released his major-label debut, 'Lie to Me'. Though it picked up mixed critical reviews, the album served as a commercial breakthrough, with single "Lie to Me" particularly receiving much airplay and earning the #12 slot on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart. That blues rock track continues to be beloved by Lang's fan-base.

Lang followed with 'Wander This World', released on October 20, 1998. Broadening his sound somewhat with influences from classic soul and modern rock, the release experienced widespread success. His singles, "Wander This World" and "Still Rainin'", did particularly well, the latter tune reaching the #8 slot on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.

Several releases and constant touring later, Lang's latest work is 'Fight For My Soul', released on September 2, 2013. The album has received critical acclaim from publications such has Allmusic, with the reviewers remarking that Lang "dives headfirst into classic soul and R&B, its elastic, funky grooves allowing the guitarist plenty of space to solo". It also hit the #20 slot on Billboard's 'Top Rock Albums' chart, selling extremely well.

Part of his success has been due to a voice that sounds somewhat like that of a 40-year-old blues veteran, containing what fans have seen as a harshness tempered by a fine falsetto that has taken prominence in his newest albums. Another part of his success is his scorching, electrifying guitar solos, which display a prodigious natural talent honed by years of practice and playing. Whatever the secret to his success, the youngster has quickly become a fixture in the blues world, drawing crowds wherever he goes.

Lang has drawn deeply from the wellspring of influences from the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Luther Allison, and Albert Collins. Many blues artists have also been encouraged to pick up the guitar from his example. As he becomes more confident in his role as a musical veteran instead of a boy wonder, one can see the possibilities he has yet to share with his fans.

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Jonny Lang Lyrics

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Lord, if you've ever been mistreated
Then you got to, you got to know just what I'm talkin' about

Yes, have you ever been mistreated?
Then you got to, you got to know just what I'm talkin' about

Lord I work five long years for one woman,
And she had the, nerve, to kick me out

I got a job at a steel mill,
I'm shucking steel just like a slave
Five long years, every Friday y'all I went straight home yeah,
I went straight home

Mistreated
Then you got to,
You got to know just what I'm talkin' about

Lord I work five long years for one woman,
And she had the nerve, to kick me out

Lord but I finally learned a lesson,
I should have known long time ago
The next woman I marry, she gotta have two jobs,
And she gotta go out and work long and bring some dough home

Lord, said I been mistreated
And you got to, you got to know just what I'm talkin' about

Lord I work five long years for one woman,
And she had the nerve, to kick me out

Have you ever been mistreated?
Then you got to,
You got to know just what I'm talkin' about

Yes, have you ever been mistreated?
Then you got to,
You got to know just what I'm talking about?

Lord I work five long years for one woman,
And she had the nerve to kick me out

I got a job at a steel mill,
I'm shucking steel just like a slave
Five long years, every Friday yes y'all I went straight home,
I went straight home with all my pay

Yes, I've been mistreated
And you got to,
You got to know just what I'm talking about

Lord I work five long years for one woman,
And she had the nerve, to kick me out

Lord,
I finally learned a lesson,
I should have known a long time ago
The next woman I marry, she gotta have two jobs,
And she gotta go out and work and bringing home some dough

I've been mistreated,
And you, you know just what I'm talking about

I work five long years for one woman,
And she had the nerves to kick me out

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jonny Lang's song "Mistreated" speak about a man's experience of being mistreated by a woman. He talks about how he worked hard for five long years for this woman only to be kicked out in the end. He then starts working at a steel mill where he is treated no better than a slave but continues to work hard and go straight home every Friday with his pay. He talks about learning a lesson and realizing that the next woman he marries must have two jobs and bring home some money too.

This song seems to be about inequality in relationships and how people can sometimes use and mistreat others for their own benefit. The singer's experience of being mistreated by a woman he devoted five years of his life to could be interpreted as a metaphor for larger societal issues such as sexism, racism, and classism. The repetition of the line "Mistreated / Then you got to know just what I'm talking about" emphasizes the importance of recognizing and acknowledging mistreatment.

Line by Line Meaning

Lord, if you've ever been mistreated
The singer is addressing the audience and asking if they have ever been mistreated in a relationship.

Then you got to, you got to know just what I'm talkin' about
If the audience has experienced mistreatment in a relationship, then they will understand the feelings and emotions being described in the song.

Yes, have you ever been mistreated?
The singer repeats the question, urging the audience to reflect on their own experiences.

Lord I work five long years for one woman,
The singer is describing a past experience where he worked tirelessly for his partner.

And she had the, nerve, to kick me out
Despite his hard work, the singer's partner ended the relationship abruptly and unceremoniously.

I got a job at a steel mill,
After the break-up, the singer had to find a new job to support himself.

I'm shucking steel just like a slave
The work at the steel mill was grueling and exhausting, making the singer feel like he was being treated like a slave.

Five long years, every Friday y'all I went straight home yeah,
Despite the long hours and hard work, the singer would always go straight home after getting paid every Friday.

Then you got to,
The singer repeats the refrain, emphasizing that only those who have been mistreated in relationships can truly understand the emotions he is conveying.

Lord but I finally learned a lesson,
After his experience working hard for his previous partner, the singer has gained some perspective and wisdom.

I should have known long time ago
The singer recognizes now that he should have been more discerning in choosing a partner.

The next woman I marry, she gotta have two jobs,
As a result of his past experience, the singer now has certain criteria for what he wants in a partner.

And she gotta go out and work long and bring some dough home
The singer wants a partner who works hard and brings in their own income.

And you, you know just what I'm talking about
The refrain is repeated a final time, inviting the audience to empathize with the singer's situation and feelings.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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