"High Road" is a song by American singer-songwriter Zach Bryan, released on November 7, 2024 alongside his song "This World's a Giant". It is the second single from his upcoming sixth studio album.
| "High Road" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Zach Bryan | ||||
| Released | November 7, 2024 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:19 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriter(s) | Zach Bryan | |||
| Producer(s) | Bryan | |||
| Zach Bryan singles chronology | ||||
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Background
editOn November 7, 2024, Zach Bryan wrote on Instagram about the situation that drove him to write the song:
After not being home for a year and a half I drove out to my mothers gravestone in the dead of night a few days back on familiar Oklahoma roads and I came to realize just like in the past, that she never would call me again
Told her I quit touring because I got accepted to get my masters in Paris next year, I told her I was back in Oklahoma, told her about all my best friends in New York and all the nights we howled with the moon, told her about the immeasurable laughter my band and me have shared these last five years, all the calluses on my finger tips, every tear shed, told her about making it on The Rolling Stone and most importantly told her about porch swinging with my beautiful sister.
I wrote the chorus for this song a month or two back and finished it when I realized I was blessed with all these things.[1]
The song was also released amid his highly-publicized breakup with Internet personality Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia and her allegations of emotional abuse against him.[2][3][4][5]
Composition and lyrics
editThe song features electric guitar in the instrumental[3] and backing vocals performed by Heaven Schmitt, leader of the New York indie band Grumpy.[2][3] In the opening verse, Zach Bryan laments the failure of a recent relationship, a drug-fueled imagination that he was in love with his partner and a past romantic encounter with her ("Adderall and white-lace bras that makes you fall in love / You left your blue jeans in my pickup truck"), before expressing frustration that his friends in New York City lack "self-control and empathy" and waste their time drinking in the bar but admitting he misses the city more than his home.[3] He ends the verse singing, "Everyone is tellin' me that I need help or therapy / But all I need is to be left alone".[3][5] In the chorus, Bryan addresses the death of his mother ("I'vе waited by the telеphone all fuckin' night / For someone that ain't ever gonna call"),[3][4][5] which he reflects upon with memories of spending time with her in the second verse.[3][4]
Charts
edit| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[6] | 28 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[7] | 74 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[8] | 29 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[9] | 2 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[10] | 66 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[11] | 29 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[12] | 6 |
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[13] | 6 |
References
edit- ^ "Instagram". Instagram. November 7, 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ a b Chelosky, Danielle (November 7, 2024). "Zach Bryan Shares Another New Song "High Road" As Ex-Girlfriend Discusses Alleged $12M NDA". Stereogum. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Mower, Maxim (November 8, 2024). "'High Road' by Zach Bryan - Lyrics & Meaning". Holler. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ a b c Blanchet, Brenton (November 8, 2024). "Zach Bryan Shares New Song 'High Road' amid Ex-Girlfriend Brianna LaPaglia's Allegations of Emotional Abuse". People. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ a b c Liptak, Carena (November 11, 2024). "Is Zach Bryan's New Music a Response to His Brianna Chickenfry Breakup?". Taste of Country. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ "Zach Bryan Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ "Zach Bryan Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Zach Bryan". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 15, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ "Zach Bryan Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ "Zach Bryan Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ "Zach Bryan Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2024.