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.
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 to laugh at salvation
It almost saved 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 you've ever seen
Lord, I wrote the book on sin
Yeah, I been down that road
I ain't goin' back again.
I caused more damage than a hurricane
I broke your heart an' didn't feel a thing. (I walked.)
Then walked away and cursed your name in vain. (Cursed your name.)
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 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 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...)
Van Zant's song "Been There Done That" is a powerful rock track that delves into the singer's struggles and battles with temptation, sin, and redemption. In the song, the first verse opens with the singer acknowledging his close encounters with the devil and how he faced him directly with no fear. He then admits to dancing in the devil's fire during his darkest days and drinking his wine while sleeping in his garden. The singer also reveals that he slept with temptation and almost lost his life and salvation in the process.
The chorus echoes the powerful sentiments of the song's title, with the singer stating that he has been there and done that, partied harder than anyone, and written the book on sin. However, he has no intention of going back down that road and wants to distance himself from his past.
In the second verse, the singer acknowledges that he caused lots of damage and broken hearts, leaving a trail of destruction behind him. He admits to cursing people's names in vain, but with the help of forgiveness, he has a second chance at life.
In the final verse, the singer reveals that he is no longer afraid and is ready to face life without the burden of his prior mistakes. He asserts that he is "the baddest mother that you've ever seen" and the life of the party. The song ends with the singer proclaiming that he will never go back to his past.
Overall, "Been There Done That" is a powerful song that explores the themes of sin, redemption, forgiveness, and the courage to move on and leave your past behind.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen the devil
I have experienced evil in its purest form
Stared him straight in the eyes
I faced the devil head-on without fear
Danced in his fire on my darkest nights
I willingly immersed myself in the depths of darkness during my toughest times
Laid in his garden an' I drank his wine
I succumbed to temptation, indulged in sin, and accepted its consequences
Slept with temptation to laugh at salvation
I was so consumed by temptation that I disregarded any chance of redemption
It almost saved me alive.
Redemption was almost within reach, but I narrowly missed it
Oh, I've been there done that, had my thrill
I have experienced and indulged in my fair share of sinful and tempting activities
Ain't goin' back again
I have learned from my past and will not repeat my mistakes
I was the life of every party
I was the most entertaining and exciting person at every social gathering
It nearly did me in
My wild lifestyle and choices nearly destroyed me
I was the baddest man you've ever seen
I was the epitome of a rebellious and dangerous individual
Lord, I wrote the book on sin
I was the master of sin and had vast experience with it.
I caused more damage than a hurricane
My actions and choices had an impact that was more devastating than a natural disaster like a hurricane
I broke your heart an' didn't feel a thing. (I walked.)
I callously caused pain to someone I cared about, without remorse, and left without a second thought.
Then walked away and cursed your name in vain. (Cursed your name.)
I left in anger and frustration, blaming the other person for the failure of the relationship.
But with you as my witness
The only witness to my actions and choices is the person I hurt the most.
You gave me forgiveness
Despite my actions, the other person forgave me and provided me with a second chance.
Now I've got a second chance.
I have been given another opportunity to make better choices and live a better life.
He's knockin' at my door
Redemption is within reach and I am being given a chance to accept it.
Ain't walkin' round here no more
I have left my old life behind and am no longer the person I used to be.
I was the baddest mother that you've ever seen
I was a true force to be reckoned with, someone who commanded respect and awe.
Been there, done that
I have experienced everything there is to experience, both good and bad.
I was the life of the party, yeah
I was the person who brought energy and excitement to every social gathering and event.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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