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.
Shes Out With a Gun
Van Zant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bullets speak louder than words.
No tears, fallin' tonight,
Oh this time she's gonna be heard.
She's done, closin' her eyes,
To a stranger that he's become.
And as he flashes into her mind,
(chorus)
She's out with a gun,
She's gonna get even this time.
It's over and done,
She's layin' it all on the line.
For so long, she was his life,
As sure as the moon and the stars.
But he turned the fire into ice,
Now there's a new face in his heart.
Love kills as sure as it blinds,
But life swallows up the soul.
And once you cross right over that line,
It's gone forever, it's gone forever.
(chorus)
She's out with a gun,
She's gonna get even this time.
It's over and done,
She's layin' it all on the line.
(Bridge)
(chorus)
(Repeat chorus)
The lyrics of Van Zant's song "She's Out With a Gun" depict a woman who has reached a breaking point in her relationship with a man. The opening lines suggest that she has become fed up with the situation and is now taking a more assertive stance. The reference to "cold steel, tucked out of sight" suggests that she is armed and ready for confrontation. The phrase "bullets speak louder than words" implies that she no longer wants to engage in verbal arguments or negotiations, but instead wants to take direct action.
The second verse reveals that the woman is closing her eyes to the stranger her partner has become. Perhaps he has changed dramatically over time, or maybe he has done something unforgivable. Regardless, he has caused her immense pain and as his image flashes in her mind, she feels the urge to take revenge. This is emphasized by the repetition of the line "she feels the trigger," indicating her determination to follow through with her plan.
The chorus reinforces her resolve to seek justice. She is "out with a gun" and is determined to make things right. It is clear that she believes her actions will bring closure to the pain and betrayal she has experienced. The verse following the chorus describes the depth of the relationship they once had, but acknowledges that he has turned the love they shared into something cold and indifferent. The lyrics suggest that there is now someone new in his heart, which adds to the woman's anger and determination.
The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the woman's commitment to take action. The song does not offer a resolution or suggest the outcome of her revenge. It leaves the listener to ponder the consequences of her choices and the power dynamics at play in the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold steel, tucked out of sight
A deadly weapon hidden away, ready to be used
Bullets speak louder than words
Violence can have a greater impact than mere words
No tears, fallin' tonight
There will be no crying or remorse in this situation
Oh this time she's gonna be heard
She is determined to make her voice and pain known
She's done, closin' her eyes
She is putting an end to their relationship
To a stranger that he's become
He has changed so much that he feels like a stranger
And as he flashes into her mind
Thoughts of him keep resurfacing in her thoughts
She feels the trigger, she feels the trigger
She senses the urge to take action and seek revenge
She's out with a gun
She has taken the weapon and is now on a mission
She's gonna get even this time
She intends to retaliate and make things right
It's over and done
Their relationship has ended, and there's no turning back
She's layin' it all on the line
She's risking everything to achieve her goal of revenge
For so long, she was his life
She used to be the center of his world for a significant period
As sure as the moon and the stars
Their love was once certain and unshakable like celestial bodies
But he turned the fire into ice
He transformed their passionate love into indifference and coldness
Now there's a new face in his heart
Someone else has captured his affection and replaced her
Love kills as sure as it blinds
Love can lead to destruction just as easily as it can blind one's judgment
But life swallows up the soul
The hardships of life can consume and affect one's spirit
And once you cross right over that line
Once a certain boundary is crossed or violated
It's gone forever, it's gone forever
What is lost or damaged cannot be recovered or restored
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chris Anderson
this whole album was a melodic masterpiece as the layerd intrumentals , vocals, lyrical content created haunting images of each piece. the musical structure allowed the space for a very flowing album that belending into each song and this song was the jewell in the crown
Vital Pharmacy
"you'got to believe in love" my No1 of the album..This is No2
anthonybay1
This is true AOR genius and should have been a million-seller worldwide hit!
Rock Melodic Radio - AOR MELODIC ROCK HARD ROCK
more amazing music on https://rockmelodic-radio.com/
Gabriel Ramos
Se você é brasileiro e curte esse som eu preciso dizer que tu é FODA e sabe o que é realmente música.
Como dizia o ditado: Clássico não é aquilo que é velho. Clássico é aquilo que é eterno...
Isso não vai morrer nunca! 2023.
Larvin might
35 years still sounds amazing
JohnRocks6368
this shows how old I am, my local Rock radio station in Dayton Ohio, WTUE, would play 'Midnight Theater' and showcase a new album at midnight. So being the cheap, on a budget guy I was, I would setup my tape recorder to start recording that station just before midnight. Little did I know what a gem I had just recorded. This entire album was great start to finish. Brings back great memories every time I hear it.
Barry Hetherington
This song IS TOTALLY 80’s ear candy! AOR from the heavens!!!
Rock Melodic Radio - AOR MELODIC ROCK HARD ROCK
more amazing music on https://rockmelodic-radio.com/
Ana Pais
4-4-2021 Still one of the best songs ever ❤️🇵🇹