When someone puts out as much music as Zach Bryan, there’s bound to be killer songs that never get the spotlight they deserve.
2022 alone brought us the record-setting 34-song album American Heartbreak, a 9-song Summertime Blues EP, and 4 other singles, including “Burn Burn Burn”, which is the namesake of his upcoming tour.
Oh yeah, plus he dropped a live album on Christmas Day…
So yeah, it just makes sense that there’s a few killer songs that would be a smash hit if they didn’t get drowned out in a sea of other incredible songs.
To me, the most overlooked song Zach put out last year is easily “Sober Side Of Sorry”.
We first heard this one when Zach dropped a live version in August of 2021 and then got a studio version as the 20th track on American Heartbreak.
The opening lines always get me, knowing full well that I’ve been in this very same situation quite a few times in my life…
“Dark haired girl
Too much Jack Daniels
I’ll be honest right now I am too drunk too handle…”
The whole song speaks of knowing full well you’re out of control, making lots of life choices that you regret (personified in a tattooed, crop top wearing girl), wanting to change it up but not quite knowing how to break that patterns you’ve fallen into.
“The sober side of sorry ain’t a safe place to be
There’s a cigarette rolling through the tips of clenched teeth
I don’t need much just somewhere to sleep
Someone please remind me who the hell I used to be…”
It was also one of the first examples of a real sonic change for Zach, less of the folksy singer/songwriter style that gave rise to his career, and more of the reckless, almost rock side that was featured prominently on American Heartbreak and Summertime Blues.
A hell of a song that’s easily one of my favorites.
Crank this baby up today.
