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.
Oklahoma
Van Zant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wind spins like the devil
Wraps around your home
Tears you from the roots out
Throws you like a stone
Well it...
May not be the first time
Standing in the ruins
A picture of our times
Searching through the rubble
For pieces of our lives
Well our...
Spirit won't be broken
Just take a look around
Take a look around
Come Hell or come high water
We'll stand together in the rain
Oklahoma
Where we don't forget our brothers and you won't forget
the name...
Oklahoma
Every last survivor
Seen across this land
Miracles can happen
If you leave it in God's hands
Well
Either I know heroes...
Or there's people doing what they can
Oh what they can
Come Hell or come high water
We'll stand together in the rain
Oklahoma (Oklahoma)
Where we don't forget our brothers and you won't forget
the name
Oklahoma
I'VE GOT TO BELIEVE!
I'VE GOT TO BELIEVE!
Bombs exploding when that rain will never change our ways!
Wind spins like the devil
Wraps around your home
Tears you from the roots out
But it'll always be our home
Come Hell or come high water
We'll stand together in the rain
Oklahoma (Oklahoma)
Where we don't forget our brothers and you won't forget
the name
Oklahoma (Oklahoma)
Come Hell or come high water
We'll stand together in the rain
Where we don't forget our brothers and you won't forget
the name
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
(Oklahoma)
Where the wind spins like a devil
And it throws you like a stone
Oklahoma
Where our spirits won't be broken
Oklahoma
Oh!
OKLAHOMA!
The opening lines of Van Zant's song Oklahoma paint a vivid picture of the destructive nature of wind during a storm. The wind is described as something that spins like the devil, tears homes from their foundations, and throws people around like stones. The lyrics indicate that even though this destruction may have happened before, Oklahomans are stubborn and will not be broken. In the aftermath of the storm, the people come together to piece their lives back together, relying on their faith and the support of their community to find the strength to persevere.
Throughout the song, the lyrics focus on the resilience and sense of community among Oklahomans. The chorus repeats the line, "we'll stand together in the rain," emphasizing the idea that the people of Oklahoma will help each other through any hardship that may come their way. The final lines of the song feature several repetitions of the state's name, expressing the pride and connection that Oklahomans feel towards their home state.
Line by Line Meaning
Wind spins like the devil
The wind is brutal and chaotic, with no conscience or empathy.
Wraps around your home
The wind seeks to invade and destroy a sense of safety and stability.
Tears you from the roots out
The wind can uproot and destroy one's sense of belonging and grounding.
Throws you like a stone
The wind is powerful enough to elevate, toss, and destroy a person or object.
May not be the first time
Destructive winds and disasters might not be a novel experience for Oklahoma residents.
May not be the last
There may well be more challenges and disasters to come for Oklahoma.
Standing in the ruins
The aftermath of a disaster leaves a landscape of destruction.
A picture of our times
The aftermath of a disaster is a reflection of the present state of society.
Searching through the rubble
Examining the wreckage for survivors, belongings, or signs of hope.
For pieces of our lives
Trying to recover what was lost and rebuild what matters most.
Spirit won't be broken
Despite the destruction, the human spirit endures and resists giving up.
Just take a look around
Despair is not the only thing to see in the aftermath; there are also signs of resilience and compassion.
Come Hell or come high water
Regardless of the threats, we will stand firm and united.
We'll stand together in the rain
We will endure the storms and trials of life with solidarity and hope.
Oklahoma
A state with a resilient and proud people, who look out for one another.
Where we don't forget our brothers
We care about the well-being and plight of our fellow citizens.
and you won't forget the name...
The name Oklahoma will be tied to the courage and strength of its people.
Every last survivor
Those who made it through the disaster, who have stories of resilience and survival.
Seen across this land
Their stories and example have spread throughout the nation and beyond.
Miracles can happen
Some people got lucky and survived despite the odds, and that should inspire gratitude and hope.
If you leave it in God's hands
For those who place their faith in a divine power, there is comfort and solace in trusting in a higher plan.
Either I know heroes...
Perhaps the people who survived and helped their fellow citizens are heroes or everyday people with big hearts.
Or there's people doing what they can
Those who couldn't do heroic feats still did what they could, and that matters too.
I've got to believe!
The singer reaffirms his faith in the strength of the Oklahoma spirit.
Bombs exploding when that rain will never change our ways!
Even in the toughest of circumstances, the people of Oklahoma will not be defeated or surrender their values.
But it'll always be our home
Regardless of the destruction, the love and attachment to one's homeland endures.
Where the wind spins like a devil
Oklahoma is a state where nature can be brutal and unpredictable.
And it throws you like a stone
Residents of Oklahoma are familiar with being knocked down and tested by tough conditions.
Where our spirits won't be broken
Oklahomans refuse to give up, no matter how tough things get.
Oh!
An expression of pride and hope for their resilience.
OKLAHOMA!
A call to celebrate the strength and spirit of the state and its people.
Lyrics Š Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BILL JOHNSON, JEFFREY DIMPSEY, KEVIN DRISCOLL, MATT TALBOTT, MIKE RADER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Steward
So proud to be an Okie and a survivor. This song sums it up. Viva VanZant!
ralph duke
Never been there, but it seems cool and I love this song
Darlene Nemeth
never change a good thing!! Lovin this
Laura Graves
I was in the may 3 tornado, which is what my aunt tells me this song is about. It pulled one of the walls of my house out a little bit and my neighbor had a rabbit hutch that wasn't touched on that side of the house. Good thing my Hawaiian neighbors had a cellar.
Jen Houser
This song needs More air play... Great Song.
Tristan Caldwell
I am from Oklahoma... I love it and miss it!!!... I will be back home soon
Roberta Henry
Like it!
Osprey Flyer
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James Schroder
Yes, We are Oklahoma Strong!!
P. J. H. Strangeweird
after 5.19 & 5.20.13; this should be the new STATE SONG of Oklahoma!