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.
Train
Van Zant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Set it up, tear it down
Another show to go, another town
Another place, another face
Another crowd of people, tank of diesel
Flying J truck stop
Gotta rock, can't stop
Gonna keep on pushing through the Rockies
Nothing's gonna stop me
Feeling like a train, pulling at the strain
Always got an uphill track with the world on my back
Pouring on the coal, feel a little old
Gotta suck it up, gotta be strong
Gotta be tough, gotta move on, on, on, on
It's all I've ever known, feeling like a train, feeling like a train
Tick tock, time flies
Another year in gear passing by
Another song, another station
Back and forth across the nation
Some day, some way
Gonna jump these tracks and never look back
Gonna find me one tomorrow
With my dead hand on the throttle
Feeling like a train, pulling at the strain
Always got an uphill track with the world on my back
Pouring on the coal, feel a little old
Gotta suck it up, gotta be strong
Gotta be tough, gotta move on, on, on, on
It's all I've ever known, feeling like a train
Feeling like a train, pulling at the strain
Always got an uphill track with the world on my back
Pouring on the coal, feel a little old
Gotta suck it up, gotta be strong
Gotta be tough, gotta move on, on, on, on
It's all I've ever known, feeling like a train, feeling like a train
Feeling like a train
Feeling like a train
Feeling like a train
Feeling like a train
Van Zant's "Train" is a song about life on the road as a musician. The lyrics describe the never-ending cycle of touring, performing, and traveling to the next gig. The imagery of a train is used to represent the relentless pace of the music industry, with the musician feeling like an unstoppable force pushing through whatever obstacles come their way. It's a song about being dedicated to one's craft, despite the toll it takes on the body and mind. The lyrics also touch on the desire to break free from this cycle and start a new life, but the pull of the music is too strong.
The first verse describes the process of setting up and tearing down for a show, then moving on to the next town, where a new crowd of people awaits. The Flying J truck stop mentioned in the lyrics is likely a reference to the many stops musicians make along the road to refuel and rest. The second verse acknowledges the passage of time and the sense of being stuck in a never-ending routine. However, the singer also expresses their determination to keep pushing forward, pouring on the coal and being strong in the face of adversity. The final verse speaks of eventually finding a way to jump off the track and pursue a new life, but until then, the musician feels like a train, always moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, feel like a train
I feel powerful and unstoppable like a train.
Set it up, tear it down
I perform shows and quickly move on to the next one.
Another show to go, another town
My schedule is always full of new performances in different places.
Another place, another face
I meet new people everywhere I go.
Another crowd of people, tank of diesel
I have plenty of fuel to keep moving forward and entertaining crowds.
Flying J truck stop
I stop at this popular truck stop chain while on tour.
Thirty five guys, a rolling jukebox
My band is like a mobile jukebox, always playing music and keeping each other company while on the road.
Gotta rock, can't stop
I must continue rocking out and performing, even though I may feel tired or worn down.
Gonna keep on pushing through the Rockies
I am determined to keep moving forward, no matter how difficult the challenge may seem.
Nothing's gonna stop me
I am unstoppable and won't let anything stand in the way of my success.
Tick tock, time flies
Time seems to move quickly while I'm on tour.
Another year in gear passing by
Another year of touring has gone by.
Another song, another station
I perform different songs in various cities and venues.
Back and forth across the nation
I travel across the country frequently while on tour.
Some day, some way
One day, I hope to find a new path or career.
Gonna jump these tracks and never look back
I will take a bold step to leave my current career and pursue something new.
Gonna find me one tomorrow
I will find a new direction for my life in the near future.
With my dead hand on the throttle
I will not give up or slow down in my pursuit of a new path.
Feeling like a train, pulling at the strain
I feel powerful and unstoppable, but the strenuous lifestyle of being on tour takes a toll on me.
Always got an uphill track with the world on my back
My life is difficult and challenging, but I must persevere through it all.
Pouring on the coal, feel a little old
I give my all in every performance, but the constant travel and hard work make me feel drained and worn out.
Gotta suck it up, gotta be strong
I must push through the difficult times and be strong despite feeling tired or overwhelmed.
Gotta be tough, gotta move on, on, on, on
I must have resilience and keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles or challenges.
It's all I've ever known, feeling like a train, feeling like a train
This lifestyle is all I have ever known, and it is both exhilarating and exhausting like a train ride.
Feeling like a train
I feel powerful and unstoppable like a train.
Feeling like a train
I feel as if nothing can stand in my way, like a train on its tracks.
Feeling like a train
My life is fast-paced and intense, like a train ride with no stops.
Feeling like a train
Overall, I feel like a strong and powerful force that is always moving forward and making progress, like a train in motion.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CRAIG MICHAEL WISEMAN, DONALD N. VAN ZANT, JOHNNY ROY VAN ZANT, TONY CARL MULLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind