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.
HELPSOMEBODY
Van Zant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
blue collar of a man...
He came from the school
where you didn't need nothin' if you couldn't make it with your own two hands
He was backwoods, backwards, used words like:
no sir, yes ma'am, by god, be darned, hell yeah I'm American..
and all the years he walked this earth
I swear all he did was work.
so you listen to me squirt..
Don't get too high on a bottle,
and get right with the man.
Fight your fights, find your grace
and all the things that you can't change, and help somebody if you can
Now Granny said sonny
stick to your gun if you believe in something
no matter what
cause it's better to be hated for who you are
Than beloved for what you're not.
She was 5 feet of concrete
New York born and raised on a slick city street.
She'll stare you down, stand her ground,
still kickin' and screamin' at 93
I remember just how frail she looked
in that hospital bed
taking her last few breaths of life
and smiling as she said
Don't get too high on a bottle,
just a little sip every now and then,
fight your fights,
find your grace,
and all the things that you can't change
and help somebody if you can,
and get right with the man
I never let a cowboy make the coffee
yeah that's what Granny always said to my Grandad
and he'd say never tell a joke
that ain't that funny more than once
and if you want to hear God laugh,
tell Him your plans
Don't get too high on a bottle,
get right with the man, son.
fight your fights,
find your grace,
and all the things you two can't change
and help somebody if you can
and get right with the man
and get right with the man
The Van Zant song "Help Somebody" is a tribute to the wisdom and lessons of the singer's grandparents. The first verse describes the singer's grandfather as a simple, hardworking man who valued self-sufficiency and saw idleness as a gateway to temptation. The chorus echoes this sentiment, advising the listener not to rely too heavily on drugs or alcohol, but rather to seek personal growth and help others when possible. The second verse introduces the singer's grandmother as a tough, outspoken woman who encouraged her loved ones to stand up for their beliefs and be true to themselves. She also offers guidance on how to approach life's ups and downs, reminding her family to find strength in their faith and to always strive to make a positive impact on others. In the final verse, the singer remembers some playful advice his grandfather gave him about humor and humility, before returning to the chorus's central message of staying focused on productive, meaningful pursuits and serving one's community.
Overall, "Help Somebody" is an ode to traditional American values of hard work, perseverance, and compassion, as embodied by the singer's beloved grandparents. Through their words and actions, they taught the singer important lessons about navigating life's challenges with integrity and generosity. The song's lyrics strike a balance between practical advice (such as "find your grace" and "help somebody if you can") and poetic imagery (like the line "the devil dreams on an idle horse"), creating a memorable and deeply resonant message that has connected with audiences across generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Well grandaddy was a hillbilly scholar, blue collar of a man...
My grandfather wasn't what people might call a refined man, but he was smart and hardworking.
He came from the school where you didn't need nothin' if you couldn't make it with your own two hands
He grew up with the belief that if you couldn't do something by yourself then you didn't really need it.
He was backwoods, backwards, used words like: no sir, yes ma'am, by god, be darned, hell yeah I'm American..
He was from a rural area, not very sophisticated, and spoke with a lot of country slang.
and all the years he walked this earth I swear all he did was work.
He spent most of his life working hard and providing for his family.
He said the devil dreams on an idle horse so you listen to me squirt..
He believed that if you don't stay busy, the devil can lead you down the wrong path.
Don't get too high on a bottle, and get right with the man.
Don't drink too much and make sure you live your life the right way.
Fight your fights, find your grace and all the things that you can't change, and help somebody if you can
Do your best to stand up for what you believe in, accept things you can't change, and lend a helping hand when you can.
Now Granny said sonny stick to your gun if you believe in something no matter what cause it's better to be hated for who you are than beloved for what you're not.
My grandmother always believed that it's more important to be true to yourself, even if it means people won't like you.
She was 5 feet of concrete New York born and raised on a slick city street.
My grandmother was tough and grew up in an urban area.
She'll stare you down, stand her ground, still kickin' and screamin' at 93
Even in her old age, my grandmother was feisty and wouldn't back down from a fight.
I remember just how frail she looked in that hospital bed taking her last few breaths of life and smiling as she said
Even though she was close to death, my grandmother remained positive and happy.
Just a little sip every now and then,
It's okay to drink alcohol in moderation.
and all the things that you can't change
Accept the things in life that you have no control over.
I never let a cowboy make the coffee yeah that's what Granny always said to my Grandad
My grandmother had a sense of humor and would poke fun at my grandfather for being a cowboy.
and he'd say never tell a joke that ain't that funny more than once and if you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans
My grandfather had his own words of wisdom, including not repeating bad jokes and not trying to control everything in life.
get right with the man, son.
Make sure you live your life according to what is right and just.
and all the things you two can't change
Accept the things in life that you and others have no control over.
and help somebody if you can
Be kind to others and lend a helping hand when possible.
and get right with the man
Make sure you live your life according to what is right and just.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JEFFREY STEELE, KIP RAINES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kimberlyo796
Now granny said, "Sonny, stick to your guns
If you believe in something, no matter what
'Cause it's better to be hated for who you are
Than be loved for who you're not"
She was five feet of concrete
New York born an' raised on a slick city street
She'd cold-stare you down, stand her ground
Still kickin' and screamin' at 93 - I'm not 93 but that sure is me!
"Cause it's better to be hated for who you are
Than be loved for who you're not" TRUTH!
@nhlohio
I think of my great grandma(rip🥺) every time I hear this lyric
“Still kickin' and screamin' at 99
I remember just how frail she looked in that hospital bed:
Takin' her last few breaths of life, smilin' as she said:
"Don't get too high on the bottle
Just a little sip ev'ry now and then
Fight your fights, find a grace
And all the things that you can change
And help somebody if you can”
@Countryboygilmore
2023 and this song needs to be on repeat!!! On every radio station
@user-hh7xs8wb7l
Do we got a good bed babie
@sheiladaniels9552
Yes it does, especially today!
@jakedoe1302
Yup so trueb
@davidmiller2257
It's true country music with a true message. Not the Morgan or Luke Bryan b.s. I still play this song when I think of my great grand parents.
@Demonmom44
I agree this song deserves the time of day again cause not many would understand this song in this generation but us oldies love it still.
@robrichards6906
In a time when civility seems to be a thing of the past, this song gives me hope that there are still people out there who care as much about such things as I do. Be nice to everyone & always try to Help Somebody!
@88JR2Win
❤
@supernova255Jv
Amen brother Rob
@jeffdurall8353
I honestly think most of the people on this planet are exactly this way, unfortunately, the a-holes seem to get all the attention. So yes, there are lots of us that still care about the things you do!!! Keep the faith.