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.
Is It For Real
Van Zant Lyrics
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Heroes, down on their knees we've deserted
Somewhere we lost the flock
Now just look what we've got
Was it worth it?
So you're a movie star
A billion dollar deal
Tell me how it feels
With the 90's rollin' in the wind
The 60's driftin' back again
How do you lose your new best friends?
Just give 'em some money
Truth adds up to how it sounds
How you look is all that counts
You'll get by on all accounts
It's not even funny
But is it for real?
That's good I have to admit
The more that you're full of _____
They will buy it
Drowing in politics
Who'd vote for any of this?
Put your head in
Danglin' from a rope
1 inch off the ground
Never been so low
It's such a long way down
Do it wrong until it's right
Whistle blind into the light
The T.V. screen's become our life
How's your reflection?
Take this world of all its dreams
Turn it all into what you need
Be careful 'cause the truth is just
An incurable infection
But tell me what is for real?
With the 90's rollin' in the wind
The 60's driftin' back again
How do you lose your new best friends?
Just give 'em some money
Truth adds up to how it sounds
How you look is all that counts
You'll get by on all accounts
It's not even funny
Oh it's not even funny
No it's not even funny
Tell me is it for real?
What is for real?
The lyrics of Van Zant's song Is It For Real are a scathing critique of modern society, particularly the way in which money and fame have come to dominate our lives. The first verse encourages listeners to take a look back and consider what has been lost along the way. The line "Heroes, down on their knees we've deserted" suggests that we have turned away from the values and principles that once made our society great, while "Somewhere we lost the flock, now just look what we've got" implies that we have become isolated and fragmented, instead of united and empowered. The chorus questions whether the success and status that so many of us chase after is really worth it, and whether we are sacrificing too much in the process.
The second verse is particularly critical of celebrities and the cult of personality that surrounds them. The lines "With all those fancy cars, tell me how it feels" and "The T.V. screen's become our life, how's your reflection?" suggest that fame and fortune might not be as fulfilling as they are often made out to be, and that many people in the public eye are living shallow and empty lives. The bridge continues this theme, noting that we are constantly bombarded with false promises and delusions, whether it be through politicians or the media. The final chorus once again asks the listener to consider what is truly important in life, and whether our society is headed in the right direction.
Overall, Van Zant's lyrics are a powerful reminder that the pursuit of wealth, status, and fame can often be misguided, and that we need to reconnect with our values and communities if we are to find true happiness and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Look back what do you see?
Reflect on your past and what you have witnessed. What do you see?
Heroes, down on their knees we've deserted
Our heroes, who we once looked up to, have fallen from grace and we have abandoned them.
Somewhere we lost the flock
At some point, we lost our sense of direction and our group unity.
Now just look what we've got
If we take a look at the current state of things, it's not exactly what we want or need.
Was it worth it?
Given our current situation, was the effort and sacrifice we put in really worth it?
So you're a movie star
You're famous and successful.
A billion dollar deal
You've signed a contract that has brought in a lot of money for you.
With all those fancy cars
You have a lot of luxurious cars.
Tell me how it feels
Describe the emotions and sensations you experience with all of these successes.
With the 90's rollin' in the wind
The present time is moving forward fast, leaving the 90s behind us.
The 60's driftin' back again
The atmosphere feels like it's going back to the rebellious 60s era.
How do you lose your new best friends?
What do you do that causes you to betray those you called your closest friends?
Just give 'em some money
Bribe them with wealth to maintain a friendship or loyalty.
Truth adds up to how it sounds
The reality of a situation is exactly how it's portrayed and perceived by others.
How you look is all that counts
In the entertainment industry, physical appearance takes priority over all else.
You'll get by on all accounts
By adhering to what is expected of you, you'll succeed and prosper.
It's not even funny
This truth is not a laughing matter, but a sad reality.
But is it for real?
Wondering if all of this is genuine or a façade.
That's good I have to admit
I acknowledge that what you said is admirable or impressive.
The more that you're full of _____
When you have more of something that is missing from this line (left to interpretation).
They will buy it
The general population will believe it or purchase it if it's presented well.
Drowning in politics
We are oversaturated and overwhelmed by political issues and conversations.
Who'd vote for any of this?
The current political candidates do not seem to be the best options or have the population's best interests in mind.
Put your head in
Choose to ignore the political chaos and focus on personal matters instead.
Dangling from a rope
Figuratively hanging by a thread or feeling like everything is about to fall apart.
1 inch off the ground
The fall from this precarious state would not be severe, but any further loss could be catastrophic.
Never been so low
This level of despair is new or at least the lowest point ever experienced.
It's such a long way down
The road to recovery seems daunting and full of obstacles.
Do it wrong until it's right
Keep trying and making mistakes until you finally succeed.
Whistle blind into the light
Taking chances and moving forward without knowing what lies ahead.
The T.V. screen's become our life
We live vicariously through fictional characters and ignore reality as presented on our screens.
How's your reflection?
How do you see yourself in the reflection shown in the T.V. or a metaphorical sense?
Take this world of all its dreams
Ensure that we take advantage of all the good things the world has to offer.
Turn it all into what you need
Use the positive aspects of the world to get what you want or need.
Be careful 'cause the truth is just
Beware of what you see or hear because the reality may be different from what is presented.
An incurable infection
The consequences of upholding the truth may cause irreversible damage to a person or society.
But tell me what is for real?
Ask for an explanation or clarification on what is truly genuine or authentic.
Oh it's not even funny
Repeated from earlier in the song to emphasize how serious and unfunny the situation is.
No it's not even funny
Repeated from earlier in the song to emphasize how serious and unfunny the situation is.
Tell me is it for real?
Desperate to know if what we see or perceive as real is truly genuine or fabricated.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DON ROBEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Flavio Renan
Banda: VAN ZANT
Origem: JACKSONVILLE (Florida/Estados Unidos)
Álbum: II
Lançamento: 06/03/2001
Produção: ROBERT WHITE JOHNSON
Composição: DONNIE VAN ZANT/JERRY MCPHERSON/ROBERT WHITE JOHNSON
Gravadora: CMC
Vocal: DONNIE VAN ZANT
Vocal: JOHNNY VAN ZANT
Violão/guitarra: JERRY MCPHERSON
Guitarra: SHANE FONTAYNE
Baixo: MIKE BRIGNARDELLO
Piano/órgão: BILL CUOMO
Bateria: TONY MORRA
ISSO É REAL
Olhe para trás, o que você vê?
Heróis, de joelhos, nós desertamos
Em algum lugar que perdemos o rebanho
Agora apenas olhe o que temos
Valeu a pena?
Então você é uma estrela de cinema
Um acordo de um bilhão de dólares
Com todos esses carros elegantes
Diga-me como é
Com os anos 90 rolando no vento
Os anos 60 voltando novamente
Como você perdeu seus novos melhores amigos?
Apenas dê a eles um pouco de dinheiro
A verdade se soma as aparências
Como você parece, é tudo o que importa
Você se sairá bem em todas as contas
Não é nem engraçado
Isso é real?
Isso é bom, eu tenho que admitir
Quanto mais você está cheio de merda ...
Eles compram
Mergulhando na política
Ninguém votaria em nada disso?
Coloque sua cabeça em uma corda
A uma polegada do chão
Nunca esteve tão baixo
É um longo caminho
Faça tudo errado até que esteja certo
Estamos tão cegos pela luz
A tela da TV se tornou nossa vida
Como está seu reflexo?
Pegue esse mundo de todos os seus sonhos
Transforme tudo no que você precisa
Tenha cuidado, porque a verdade é apenas
Uma infecção incurável
Mas me diga o que é real?
Com os anos 90 rolando no vento
Os anos 60 voltando novamente
Como você perdeu seus novos melhores amigos?
Apenas dê algum dinheiro
A verdade se soma à maneira como soa
Como você olha é tudo o que importa
Você vai se sair bem em todas as contas
Não é nem engraçado
Oh nem é engraçado
Não é nem engraçado
Diga-me, é real?
O que é real?