Van Zant is an American musical duo composed of brothers Donnie and Johnny … Read Full Bio ↴Van Zant is an American musical duo composed of brothers Donnie and Johnny Van Zant. Both are brothers of the late Ronnie Van Zant, former lead singer for the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Johnny became the lead vocalist for the reunited Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1987; Donnie is the leader and vocalist of .38 Special, also a Southern rock band.

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.

Headed South
Van Zant Lyrics

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Out on the road two hundred days a year
Blowin' smoke and grindin' gears
My bones are achin' from this northern cold

Baby's cryin' on the telephone
Momma says I've been gone too long
This whiskey I've been drinkin' along is sure gettin' old

This old highway don't seem to end
Countin' the days 'til I'm home again
Bus wheels turnin' from town to town
I wish I could set this circus down

I've had enough, I'm punchin' out
Cause this whole thing is headed south, headed south

One more night at the Eight Days Inn
I need to hold my baby again
These four damn walls are closin' in on me

Unpackin' my bags just to pack 'em again
Don't want you to see the shape I'm in
I could sure use some shade from a live oak tree

This old highway don't seem to end
Countin' the days until I'm home again
Bus wheels turnin' from town to town
I wish I could set this circus down

I've had enough, I'm punchin' out
Cause this old boy is headed south

The Sewanee River, The Mason Dixon
Her pretty face are the things I'm missin'
I'm headed south, headed south

This old highway's comin' to an end
Today's the day I'm comin' home again
Bus wheels comin' right to my town
I just set this circus down

I've had enough, I'm punchin' out
I'm comin' home, I'm headed south
Headed south, I'm headed south

I'm headed, I'm headed south
Talk to me, boys
I'm blowin' smoke, grindin' gears
Man, my bones are achin', I'm headed south

Ooh, I'm headed south, I'm headed south
Oh, I'm headed south

Overall Meaning

Van Zant's song "Headed South" is a country rock song that speaks to the struggles of a musician who is constantly on the road. The singer expresses his exhaustion from being on the road for two hundred days a year and its effects on his physical and mental health. His constant traveling has not only affected him, but his family is also impacted by his lifestyle. The singer mentions his baby crying on the telephone, and his mother telling him that he has been gone for too long. The constant drinking to cope with this lifestyle is also taking a toll on him, as he mentions that the whiskey he has been drinking is sure getting old.

The singer longs to go back to his home, and he wishes to set this circus down. He mentions that this old highway does not seem to end, and he is counting down the days until he gets to go home again. The singer has had enough, and he is punching out because the whole thing is heading south. The second verse reflects the ongoing struggle of life on the road, as the singer spends one more night at the Eight Days Inn, longing to hold his baby again. He is unpacking just to pack his bags again, and he does not want anyone to see the shape he is in. The singer wants to find some peace, and he could sure use some shade from a live oak tree.

Overall, "Headed South" by Van Zant is a song that speaks to the challenges that come with life on the road as a musician. It portrays the exhaustion and desire to be reunited with loved ones after months on the road.

Line by Line Meaning

Out on the road two hundred days a year
I spend most days of the year traveling.

Blowin' smoke and grindin' gears
I exhaust myself due to constant touring and driving.

My bones are achin' from this northern cold
The cold weather is taking a toll on my body.

Baby's cryin' on the telephone
My significant other is upset and misses me.

Momma says I've been gone too long
My mother is longing for my presence at home.

This whiskey I've been drinkin' along is sure gettin' old
Alcohol is no longer a solace for me.

This old highway don't seem to end
My touring schedule is never-ending.

Countin' the days 'til I'm home again
I'm looking forward to returning to my loved ones.

Bus wheels turnin' from town to town
I constantly travel from one place to another.

I wish I could set this circus down
I want to take a break from this lifestyle.

I've had enough, I'm punchin' out
I've reached my limit and need a break from this touring life.

Cause this whole thing is headed south, headed south
This situation is not going well, and I want out.

One more night at the Eight Days Inn
I'm tired of staying at cheap hotels for extended periods.

I need to hold my baby again
I'm yearning for the love and affection of my significant other.

These four damn walls are closin' in on me
Being confined within a room for too long is suffocating.

Unpackin' my bags just to pack 'em again
I'm tired of constantly packing and unpacking my luggage.

Don't want you to see the shape I'm in
I don't want to show my vulnerability to my loved ones.

I could sure use some shade from a live oak tree
I crave peace and tranquility after all the touring chaos.

The Sewanee River, The Mason Dixon
I long for the natural beauty found in the southern parts of America.

Her pretty face are the things I'm missin'
I'm in love and yearning for my significant other's beauty and companionship.

This old highway's comin' to an end
My touring schedule is finally over.

Today's the day I'm comin' home again
I'm finally returning to my loved ones today.

Bus wheels comin' right to my town
I'm close to arriving at my destination.

I just set this circus down
I've decided to take a break from touring.

I'm comin' home, I'm headed south
I'm returning and heading towards my southern home.

Headed south, I'm headed south
I'm en route to the southern parts of America.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRAD DOUGLAS WARREN, BRETT DANIEL WARREN, DONALD N. VAN ZANT, JOHNNY ROY VAN ZANT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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