Johnny recorded as a member of the 1980's southern rock band The Johnny Van Zant Band which released albums in 1980, 1981 and 1982. The band shortened its name to Van Zant for the release of its fourth album in 1985, the eponymous Van Zant, which saw some chart success with "You've Got to Believe in Love" and "I'm a Fighter". However, this band was not the same as the current version of Van Zant and did not include brother Donnie.
Johnny released another album under his full name in 1990, but spent most of his time in that period singing for the Lynyrd Skynyrd reunion group. He joined up with Donnie, and they revived the Van Zant name to release an album in 1998, which led to a follow up album in 2001. They have also released two albums to the country music format: 2005's Get Right with the Man and 2007's My Kind of Country. Overall, the group has had two singles on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks charts (the prior incarnation of Van Zant also had two), and six on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.
11. Been there done that
Van Zant Lyrics
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Stared him straight in the eyes.
Danced in his fire on my darkest nights.
Laid in his garden an' I drank his wine.
Slept with temptation 'til I found salvation:
It almost ate me alive.
Oh, I've been there done that, had my thrill
I was the life of every party,
It nearly did me in.
I was the baddest man that you've ever seen,
Lord, I wrote the book on sin.
Yeah, I've been down that road,
I ain't goin' back again.
I've caused more damage than a hurricane.
I've broke your heart an' didn't feel a thing.
Then walked away and cursed your name in vain.
But with you as my witness,
You gave me forgiveness,
Now I've got a second chance.
Oh, I've been there done that, had my thrill:
Ain't goin' back again.
I was the life of every party,
It nearly did me in.
I was the baddest man that you've ever seen,
Lord, I wrote the book on sin.
Yeah, I've been down that road.
He's knockin' at my door,
Ain't walkin' round here no more.
Been there, done that,
Ain't goin' back again, no!
I was the baddest mother that you've ever seen,
Lord, I wrote the book on sin.
Been there, done that,
Ain't goin' back again.
I was the life of every party,
It nearly did me in.
I was the baddest man that you've ever seen,
Lord, I wrote the book on sin.
Yeah, I've been down that road.
I ain't goin' back again,
Oh, no!
Been there, done that.
I was the life of the party, yeah.
Been there, done that.
The lyrics of Van Zant's song 11, "Been There Done That" is a reflection on the singer's turbulent life and the experiences that have brought him to where he is today. The moral of the story is about redemption, and how even the most wayward and sinful life can be turned around by the power of forgiveness and second chances.
The opening lines of "I've seen the devil, stared him straight in the eyes," suggests that he has faced his inner demons head-on and has come to terms with his flaws. He continues to describe how he has been to the very edge and lived life to the fullest, but ultimately found that it was a hollow existence. The chorus, "I've been there done that, had my thrill, ain't going back again," is a declaration that he has learned from his past and is unwilling to repeat his mistakes.
The second verse reflects on the damage he has caused and how he has hurt others in his reckless pursuit of pleasure. However, through forgiveness, he has been granted a second chance at life. The final lines, "He's knockin' at my door, ain't walkin' round here no more," is a metaphor for how he feels he has finally allowed God into his life and has turned his back on his sinful past.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen the devil,
I have faced my darkest demons and challenges.
Stared him straight in the eyes.
I have confronted my fears head-on.
Danced in his fire on my darkest nights.
I have experienced the depths of despair and temptation.
Laid in his garden an' I drank his wine.
I have indulged in sinful pleasures and enjoyed their temporary highs.
Slept with temptation 'til I found salvation:
I have succumbed to temptation and struggled until I found redemption.
It almost ate me alive.
The dangers of my past nearly consumed and destroyed me.
Oh, I've been there done that, had my thrill
I have experienced the excitement and danger of a reckless life.
Ain't goin' back again.
I have learned from my mistakes and will not repeat them.
I was the life of every party,
I was the center of attention and enjoyed the wild lifestyle.
It nearly did me in.
The hedonistic lifestyle was close to destroying me.
I was the baddest man that you've ever seen,
I was the epitome of rebellion and defiance.
Lord, I wrote the book on sin.
I was an expert in immorality and wrongdoing.
I've caused more damage than a hurricane.
I have hurt and destroyed others with the force of a natural disaster.
I've broke your heart an' didn't feel a thing.
I have callously hurt someone I cared about without remorse.
Then walked away and cursed your name in vain.
I have insulted and disrespected someone I had a relationship with.
But with you as my witness,
I am acknowledging the importance of those who have seen my transformation.
You gave me forgiveness,
I have been given a second chance through the understanding and compassion of others.
Now I've got a second chance.
I have been granted an opportunity to turn my life around.
He's knockin' at my door,
Spiritual awakening or redemption is at hand.
Ain't walkin' round here no more.
I am taking a different path and leaving my old ways behind.
Been there, done that,
I have experienced it all before.
I was the baddest mother that you've ever seen,
I was the embodiment of rebellion and rule-breaking.
Been there, done that,
I have lived a life of excess and recklessness.
I was the life of every party,
I was the center of attention and the life of the party.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BLAIR DALY, DONALD N VAN ZANT, JOHNNY ROY VAN ZANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Donnie Eubank
"Get Right With The Man" is my favorite southern rock album. Awesome songwriting and musicianship. Kudos to Johnny and Donnie.
Gary Siegel
one of my favorite albums EVER!!!!!!!!!
Bill Neice
All of the songs on this album ring true. I can see my life in their songs. Threw my leg over a Harley when I was 16 years old. Rode on the East Coast as a patch holder and on the West Coast as a Free Rider. Now I'm an old man, the lifestyle I lived has taken its toll, although I wouldn't have changed a thing. These boys are telling nothing but the truth. I quit most of it some years back, except drinkin beer, Hell it's like I told my doctors, It's no fun living without at least 1 vice.
Ryan R
I have grown up in the age of Rap, Dubstep, And hip hop... but thanks to my mom, i will always choose this over all the other music types.
donnieu53
An excellent album, two great artists ! Kudos.
1ancienttraveler
They speak of what's real because they've been there and done it.
Bethany McNeal
Love this song
Arnold Taylor
Lived it. Love this song. Aint going back. God is GREAT
marie Brigitte Sevaistre
excellent +++ ! ! !
Christopher Bako
I would LOVE to hear RONNIE sing this.📸