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.
Brickyard Road
Van Zant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Three of us walkin' down that road
Grey '55 Chevy parked in the front yard
Little Melody tagged along
Those were the best days now they're gone
Oh it's been twelve years since it went down
Lord, lost my best friend now
I can still see him fishin' on that old dock
But oh Lord can't you help me find my way
Down to brickyard road
Oh, walk on down
Down to brickyard road
He's with me now
Swore I saw a Free Bird fly
Ridin' the winds of a Southern sky
When I hear that whistle blow
It carries me back
To brickyard road
Brother, do you realize what you've done?
Touched the hearts of everyone
You might've died too young
But your songs live on
I know I can't bring back yesterday
But we'll be all together again some day
Down on brickyard road
Oh, walk on down
Down to brickyard road
He's with me now
Swore I saw a Free Bird fly
Ridin' the winds of a Southern sky
When I hear that whistle blow
It carries me back
To brickyard road
I can see him standin' on the dock
His old chevy out in the front yard
Walk on down, walk on down
Momma and Daddy's doin' all right
I saw Melody last Saturday night
She's all grown up, she's such a pretty girl
Things just ain't the same since you left our world
Oh, brickyard road
Hear me now
I can see him, down on brickyard road
Swore I saw a Free Bird fly
Ridin' the winds of a Southern sky
And when I hear that whistle blow
It carries me back
To brickyard road
Oh, brickyard road
Oh, brickyard road
want to go back
To brickyard road
"Brickyard Road" is a song by Van Zant that describes the memories of the singer and his friends when they used to hang out on Brickyard Road. Melody, the sister of one of the friends, used to tag along with them. The singer tells about how they walked down the road and saw a grey '55 Chevy parked in the front yard. He also mentions that his best friend died 12 years ago. The singer visualizes his friend fishing on an old dock, but he knows he can't bring back yesterday. He asks the Lord to help him find his way, down to Brickyard Road, which is where he feels closer to his dead friend. He thinks he saw a Free Bird fly when he hears a whistle blow, which takes him back to his childhood memories on Brickyard Road.
The song goes on to say that his friend touched the hearts of every one and his songs live on, which makes the singer realize that his friend died too young. He mentions that he saw Melody, his friend's sister, and that she has grown up to be a pretty girl. He also states that things are not the same since his friend left the world. The chorus repeats, and the song ends with the singer wanting to go back to Brickyard Road.
The song is a nostalgic tribute to the childhood memories and the people who have shaped the singer's life. It's a touching tribute to a friend who died too young, and the feelings of longing and loss are palpable. The use of vivid imagery, such as the grey '55 Chevy and the old dock, creates a sense of nostalgia and transports the listener to a simpler time.
Line by Line Meaning
Doesn't seem that long ago
It doesn't feel like a long time has passed
Three of us walkin' down that road
The singer and two other people were walking on a road
Grey '55 Chevy parked in the front yard
A gray 1955 Chevrolet was parked in the front yard
Little Melody tagged along
A young girl named Melody accompanied them
Those were the best days now they're gone
Those days were the best, but they are no longer present
Oh it's been twelve years since it went down
It has been twelve years since something happened
Lord, lost my best friend now
The singer lost his best friend
I can still see him fishin' on that old dock
The singer can still picture his friend fishing on an old dock
I know I can't bring back yesterday
The singer is aware that he can't turn back time
But oh Lord can't you help me find my way
The singer is asking for help to move on
Down to brickyard road
The singer wants to go to Brickyard Road
Oh, walk on down
The singer instructs someone to walk down
He's with me now
The singer's deceased friend is with him in spirit
Swore I saw a Free Bird fly
The singer believed he saw a bird flying freely
Ridin' the winds of a Southern sky
The bird was flying in a southern sky
When I hear that whistle blow
The sound of a whistle has significance to the singer
It carries me back
The sound brings him to a different time
To brickyard road
The sound takes him to Brickyard Road
Brother, do you realize what you've done?
The singer is addressing his deceased friend
Touched the hearts of everyone
His friend's music impacted people on a deeper level
You might've died too young
The singer believes his friend passed away too soon
But your songs live on
The impact of his friend's songs remain
But we'll be all together again some day
The singer and his friend will be reunited one day
Momma and Daddy's doin' all right
The singer's parents are okay
I saw Melody last Saturday night
The singer recently saw Melody
She's all grown up, she's such a pretty girl
Melody has grown up and is attractive
Things just ain't the same since you left our world
Life has been different since his friend passed away
Hear me now
The singer is making a request or statement that needs to be heard
I can see him, down on brickyard road
The singer can picture his friend on Brickyard Road
Oh, brickyard road
The singer has strong emotions about Brickyard Road
want to go back
The singer desires to go back in time
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBERT WHITE JOHNSON, MICHAEL GERALD LUNN, JOHNNY VAN ZANT, RONNIE VAN ZANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Happy Hour
Daddy was a huge Skynard fan, and this song has become my favorite song. Lost him in a car accident when I was 11 years old. I requested Free Bird at his funeral. Funeral director and pastor tried to tell me it wasn't appropriate, but I threw a tantrum. The song was played, and it was the most emotional moment of the service. His family and friends knew it WAS appropriate for my dad. I have never listened to Free Bird since his funeral, probably never will again, but now Brickyard Road has become my comfort.
Trub67
Happy Hour Good for you! Piss on them and they’re appropriate BS! 🙏🏼
Shane Anderson
How is free bird not appropriate for a funeral? We played it at our drummers funeral
Kyle Laake
Listen to the song sir, it’ll make you have a appreciation like you never had before
Anna Lanzotti-Venrick
I'm so sorry hon. How tragic. Prayers for you even though you posted 2 years ago n I just saw this. It breaks my heart for you 😣💔😔😭
Anna Lanzotti-Venrick
It was very appropriate my dear of course. ❤👏👏👏
Matthew Gorup
This song brings tears to my eyes. Johnny’s love and respect for his brother are so clearly evident…
Bill Robbins
Ronnie has to be very proud of his younger brother and fellow band members. For keeping the music alive. We are all thankful. ♥️🕊️♥️
Sammi Vanzant
I have to take 3 metaformin
Sammi Vanzant
Ok goodnight baby