Vanz Kant Danz by John Fogerty

Album: Centerfield (1985)

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The closing track on Centerfield, this was originally titled "Zanz Kant Danz" to refer to Saul Zaentz, Fogerty's former boss at Fantasy Records, who famously tried to sue Fogerty for plagiarizing himself (specifically his Creedence Clearwater Revival material, to which Zaentz held the rights) in the song "The Old Man Down The Road" from the same album. The song is about an unnamed street dancer and his sidekick, a pig trained to pick people's pockets as they watch the dancer do his stuff. The pig, originally named Zanz as a dig at Saul Zaentz, "Can't dance, but he'll steal your money - watch him or he'll rob you blind." When Zaentz threatened Fogerty with yet another lawsuit, Fogerty changed the pig's name to Vanz.
The video for this was the first ever filmed entirely in "Claymation." It was produced at Will Vinton Studio, named for the inventor of the clay animation technique. Unfortunately, unlike other groundbreaking music videos such as a-ha's "Take On Me" and Dire Straits' "Money For Nothing," this one failed to garner much public notice.
Another song from the Centerfield album, "Mr. Greed," is also thought to be a musical salvo by Fogerty in his long-running feud with Zaentz, which lasted until 2004 when Fantasy Records was bought out by Concord Records, who restored Fogerty's rights to his CCR material. Concord sold Fogerty's catalog to him in 2023. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Joshua - Twin Cities, MN. for all above

Comments: 9

Aurora from Portland, OrI know that "Oliver Twist" fits better with the lyrics than, say, Fagan or Artful Dodger. Still, it low-key irritates me that Twist is portrayed as a cunning thief.
John M Ford from Perth Wa.I had a guided tour of Zants home overlooking S.F. Bay/Bridge, Breathtaking. Zants was a morbidly obese, Ugly Bearded manipulator, with a small cock!
See you in that other Court Saul.
JOHN FOGARTY was right. So was my Hollywood Wife. He must have had some talent? He conned his way into AMADEUS.

jjmf. Oz.
Erin T. AardvarkThe street dancer is named Billy. He mentions his name twice in the song.
Matthew Mitchell from Memphis, TnI first heard this song "Vanz Kant Danz" back in the late 80"s. It resonated with me back then, and I still sings and relates to the many Vanz Danzs in my life. What about you?
Linjber from Erie, PaLaura in Seattle, AZ - did you ever see the video? It's a PIG who picks the pockets, and he has 4 legs. It doesn't have to make "logical" sense
Laura from Seattle, AzWhile all the lyrics I've seen online indicate that Vanz is a "pig", I've always heard it as "pick" as in "pick-pocket", and thought the four-legged thief was the two boys, one with a guitar who plays for the crowd while the other picks pockets. Makes a lot more sense than a pig in the song's story line - never mind the possible reference to those in the music industry who are greedy.
Mike from Matawan, NjUhhh, Jason? Your memory is extremely flawed. MTV came about in 1981. "Centerfield" was released in 1985. The more you know.....
Jason from Houston, TxIn response to the statement above that this video failed to garner much public notice:

You have to first remember that this video appeared on the scene before 'Centerfield' was released. It even predates MTV going on the air unless my memory is extremely flawed. I remember seeing it for the first time when it aired with an interview that John Fogerty did on a late night talk show. I loved it the first time I saw it and I still love playing it. (currently available on You Tube)

Had MTV or VH1 given it a fair exposure, it would have been popular. MTV, for some reason, gave props and validated videos of the artist/band singing on a stage. To me, those are not truly a music video as defined by the genre. They are merely concert videos.
Mike from Hueytown , AlThis song is hilarious hahaha This song can describe alot of people in the music industry

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