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.
At Least I'm Free
Van Zant Lyrics
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Are you scared of what you see?
Tell me how can you stand yourself
When you've been lyin' and cheatin' me?
You took the last of all my money
Took the shirt right off my back
The one thing I know you never had
You got the best of me
You know it's alright, alright
You're the devil's company
Well it's alright, alright
Done everything I can
No way you'll ever understand
At least I'm free
Oh, at least I'm free
There's all kinds of people
Who'll do their best to eat you up
I thought that you were different
Guess I hadn't thought enough
I hope your dreams get stolen
And those you thought were your "best friends"
Turn around you lose your faith again
Well it's alright, alright
You got the best of me
You know it's alright, alright
You're the devil's company
Well it's alright, alright
Done everything I can
No way you'll ever understand
At least I'm free
At least I'm free
At least I'm free
I'm free
I'm free
So free
Well it's alright, alright
You got the best of me
You know it's alright, alright
You're the devil's company
Well it's alright, alright
Done everything I can
No way you'll ever understand
Well it's alright (right, right)
Well it's alright, alright
Done everything I can
No way you'll ever understand
At least I'm free
I'm so free!
(I'm so free, yeah)
At least I'm free
At least I'm free baby
I don't have to go back no more!
At least I'm free!
"At Least I'm Free" by Van Zant is a song about the end of a toxic relationship. The singer of the song has been cheated and lied to by their partner, who has taken advantage of them financially and emotionally. The first verse discusses the feelings of betrayal and disgust that come with realizing how badly they've been treated. The singer's partner is described as a manipulative person who has taken advantage of them in every way possible.
The second verse deals with the aftermath of ending the relationship. The singer declares that they are free of their partner's toxic influence, and exposes the fact that their partner has lost the trust of their "best friends". The chorus then repeats the sentiment that the singer may have been wronged, but they are now free from the relationship.
The bridge of the song repeats the idea that the singer has done everything they can to make the relationship work, but their partner has proven to be unredeemable. The final lines are a celebration of the singer's newfound freedom, and a declaration that they don't have to go back to the toxic relationship again.
Line by Line Meaning
Look into the mirror
Reflect on yourself
Are you scared of what you see?
Are you frightened by the reality you face?
Tell me how can you stand yourself
Indicate how you manage to live with yourself
When you've been lyin' and cheatin' me?
When you have been deceitful and unfaithful to me?
You took the last of all my money
You took all of my money
Took the shirt right off my back
You stole my clothes
The one thing I know you never had
The only thing I am sure you didn't possess
Well it's alright, alright
It is okay
You got the best of me
You outsmarted me
You know it's alright, alright
It is well
You're the devil's company
You are the devil's accomplice
Done everything I can
I have done my best
No way you'll ever understand
There's no possibility you will comprehend
At least I'm free
At least I am free from your bondages
Oh, at least I'm free
Oh, I am free from your bondages
There's all kinds of people
There are various types of people
Who'll do their best to eat you up
Who will be extra hard on you
I thought that you were different
I believed you were unique
Guess I hadn't thought enough
I suppose I was wrong
I hope your dreams get stolen
I wish your aspirations get taken from you
And those you thought were your "best friends"
And those you believed were your closest allies
Turn around you lose your faith again
Betray you, and you lose confidence again
I'm free
I am free
So free
Very free
I'm so free!
I am very free!
I don't have to go back no more!
I will never return again
At least I'm free!
At least I am free from your bondages
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing, KAREN SCHAUBEN PUBLISHING ADMINISTRATION
Written by: CHRISTOPHER PELCER, DONNIE VAN ZANT, JOHNNY VAN ZANT, ROBERT JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind