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.
Lonely Girls
Van Zant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you like to spin your wheels
The Night is Young
And you enjoy the hunt
You like the way the moonlight feels
But if you want someone
To come and tame your restless heart
I´ll be waiting
You´ve got to believe in love
Before you ever find it, ever find it
Cause faking it ain´t enough
To get your heart behind it
You´ve got to believe in love
Well, you can run to any stranger´s arms
Just to prove you´re not alone
And you can dance
With anyone you want
Hold him tight and let him go
No one can touch you
When you´ve forgotten how to feel
I can show you
One way to break through
You´ve got to believe in love
Before you ever find it, ever find it
Cause faking it ain´t enough
To get your heart behind it
You´ve got to believe in love
So be brave
Cause there´s no way to play it safe
What it takes is a leap of faith
Take my hand
You´ve got to believe
But if tou want someone
To come and tame your restless heart
I´ll be waiting
Stop hestating
The song "Lonely Girls" by Van Zant is ultimately about believing in love and taking chances. The opening lines suggest that the singer is a restless wanderer, driving aimlessly and enjoying the freedom that the open road provides. However, even in this moment of carefree abandon, there is an underlying loneliness that cannot be ignored. The singer is looking for someone to "tame" her restless heart, and is willing to take a leap of faith to find that person.
The verses of the song highlight the various ways in which one might seek companionship in the absence of true love. The singer sings about running to strangers' arms and dancing with anyone just to prove that she's not alone. However, these substitutes cannot replace the real thing. The chorus emphasizes that "faking it" is not enough to truly connect with someone. To find love, one must believe in it first.
The bridge of the song encourages bravery and taking risks. The line "What it takes is a leap of faith" is a powerful reminder that love requires vulnerability and trust. The singer urges her potential partner to take her hand and believe in the possibility of love. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer reiterating that she's waiting for the other person to take the plunge.
Overall, "Lonely Girls" is a poignant reflection on the challenges of seeking love and companionship. The song acknowledges that the search for love can often feel lonely and discouraging, but it also emphasizes the importance of hope and belief in oneself and in the power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you can drive to any place you want
You have the freedom to go wherever you desire.
If you like to spin your wheels
If you enjoy the thrill of adventure.
The Night is Young
There's still plenty of time to have fun and explore.
And you enjoy the hunt
You relish the excitement of chasing after something new.
You like the way the moonlight feels
You find comfort in the calm of the night.
But if you want someone
But if you crave companionship.
To come and tame your restless heart
Someone to help you calm your restless spirit.
I´ll be waiting
I'll be there to support you.
Stop hesitating
Don't hesitate to reach out to me.
You´ve got to believe in love
You must have faith in the power of love.
Before you ever find it, ever find it
Before you can experience it for yourself.
Cause faking it ain´t enough
Pretending to love someone won't suffice.
To get your heart behind it
You need to put your whole heart into it.
Well, you can run to any stranger´s arms
You could run to the arms of anyone you don't know.
Just to prove you´re not alone
In order to convince yourself that you're not lonely.
And you can dance
You can dance with anyone you choose.
With anyone you want
Whoever catches your fancy.
Hold him tight and let him go
You could hold them tight, only to let them go later.
No one can touch you
When you've numbed yourself to emotions.
When you´ve forgotten how to feel
When you've been hurt so much that you've forgotten how to love.
I can show you
I can help guide you.
One way to break through
A way to break through your emotional barriers.
So be brave
Be courageous in taking risks.
Cause there´s no way to play it safe
Playing it safe won't lead you to find true love.
What it takes is a leap of faith
It takes a risk to find love.
Take my hand
Let me help you.
You´ve got to believe
You need to have faith.
But if tou want someone
But if you still wish for companionship.
To come and tame your restless heart
To find someone to help soothe your restless soul.
I´ll be waiting
I'm here for you.
Stop hestating
Don't wait any longer to seek love.
Writer(s): EVANS DUANE ALAN, VAN-ZANT JOHNNY ROY
Contributed by Xavier O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@AK-Star007
saw you sitting at the end of the bar
With that old familiar look in your eyes
I knew that look 'cause I've seen it before
It's not easy when you say goodbay
I still remember the first time that it happened to me, to me
So baby, don't you try to hold on to a love endlessly
Can't you see
'That life could never be the same
Without you, lonely girl
And time can only heal the pain
Of your lonely world'
You're not the only girl in this lonely world
Your eyes are windows to the soul of your heart
It's too soon to trust your feelings again
We've all been hurt a hundred times before
Is there anyone who ever really wins
I know the story so well 'cause it's happened to me, to me
Oh the whole world don't revolve around no lost lover
Can't you see, can't you see
'That life could never be the same
Without you, lonely girl
And time can only heal the pain
Of your lonely world'
You're not the only girl in this lonely world
Lonely girl
It's never easy when you lose someone
Don't let the pain tear you apart
You've got so much to give to the one who wins your heart
Life could never be the same
Life could never be the same
Life could never be the same
Without you, lonely girl
And Time can only heal the pain
Of your lonely world'
Life could never be the same
Without you, lonely girl
And Time can only heal the pain
Of your lonely world'
I need you, lonely girl
Oh lonely girl
@cdkimpan
A perfect AOR song if there ever was one.
@duaneevans3795
Thanks!
@80sday36
Looking back on the 80s AOR music, realizing on how good music back then was and how bad nowadays music is.
@duaneevans3795
Yes! Thanks!
@tommyl.dayandtherunaways820
I'm 17 but I love adult oriented rock (AOR). Only in this amazing genre will you find the perfect mix of classy, romantic lyrics, beautiful melodic riffs, and ethereal harmonies. People who only listen to the popular rock like Aerosmith, guns n roses, and nirvana honestly don't know what they're missing out on.
@Albertojedi
I completely agree with you!
@GorditoCrunch343
Glad to see you're still keeping good taste alive! Keep on rocking! \m/
@InFlames1412
Rock on! btw isnt it album oriented rock ?
@adamluck6439
totally agree awesome keep loving it
@nicktomas6239
Billis Lopez