Van Zant is an American musical duo composed of brothers Donnie and Johnny … Read Full Bio ↴Van Zant is an American musical duo composed of brothers Donnie and Johnny Van Zant. Both are brothers of the late Ronnie Van Zant, former lead singer for the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Johnny became the lead vocalist for the reunited Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1987; Donnie is the leader and vocalist of .38 Special, also a Southern rock band.

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.

yesterday's gone
Van Zant Lyrics

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Yesterday's gone
And I'm on the road again
Well, leaving all my problems
Playing out my fantasies

If you wondered how I feel
You get by love soon

I wish I could turn back
I wish I could turn back
Start all over and over again
Oh, oh, yesterday's gone

I'm traveling down this highway
It's all an answer to it all
Never really see
Where we play, yeah, yeah

If we never come back home
I want you all to know

I wish I could turn back
I wish I could turn back
Start all over and over again
Oh, oh, yesterday's gone
Oh, and I'm all alone

On a lonesome highway
Singing my song

I wish I could turn back
I wish I could turn back
I wish I could turn back
Yesterday's gone

I wish I could turn back
I wish I could turn back
I wish I could turn back
Yesterday's gone

I wish I could turn back
I wish I could turn back

I wish I could turn back
Yesterday's gone

Overall Meaning

The song "Yesterday's Gone" by Van Zant is a reflection of a person who is on the road again, leaving behind all problems and playing out their fantasies. The lyrics indicate that the person has experienced some difficulties and wishes they could turn back time, start all over again, and maybe make different choices. The desire for a fresh start is evident in the repetition of the line "I wish I could turn back," suggesting that the person may be regretting past decisions or actions.

The song also touches on the idea of never really knowing where life will take us. The lyrics mention traveling down a highway where the answers to life's questions may lie, but where the ultimate destination is unknown. The repetition of the phrase "where we play" can be interpreted as referring to the unpredictability of life, as if we are all part of a larger game we cannot fully understand. However, despite the uncertainties, the person is willing to embrace the journey, even if they never come back home.

The final verses of the song emphasize the loneliness of the road, with the person singing their song on a lonesome highway. The repetition of the phrase "Yesterday's gone" suggests that the person is still grappling with the past and wishing for a way to change it. The song ends by repeating the desire to turn back time, creating a sense of longing and regret.

Line by Line Meaning

Yesterday's gone
The past is over and cannot be changed.

And I'm on the road again
I'm traveling again and moving forward with my life.

Well, leaving all my problems
I am leaving behind all of my issues and worries.

Playing out my fantasies
I'm chasing my dreams and living my life the way I want to.

If you wondered how I feel
If you're curious about my emotions

You get by love soon
You'll understand sooner or later.

I wish I could turn back
I wish I could go back in time and change things.

Start all over and over again
Have a chance to redo everything again from scratch.

Oh, oh, yesterday's gone
The past cannot be changed and is behind me now.

I'm traveling down this highway
I'm on a journey down this road.

It's all an answer to it all
This journey is the solution to all my problems.