In a world that often sidelines art for gossip, Zach Bryan takes the “high road”—letting his music speak louder than any headline.
High Road, released on November 8, 2024, landed alongside This World’s A Giant, confirming Bryan’s skill in turning personal stories into universal experiences.
As rumours swirled around his breakup with Brianna LaPaglia, Bryan’s song arrived like a lightning bolt, capturing both pain and resilience.
A Bit of History: Bryan’s Journey So Far
Zach Bryan has built his reputation as an authentic voice in country music, turning personal stories into poetic, resonant narratives.
Songs like Sweet DeAnn and Quiet, Heavy Dreams highlight his knack for blending everyday imagery with profound themes of loss, family, and resilience.
With High Road, Bryan continues this journey, but here, he dives even deeper, peeling back the layers of his public and private self.
This song marks a shift in Bryan’s career, aligning with his decision to step away from touring and pursue a master’s degree in Paris.
For an artist who’s always kept a foot in the simplicity of Oklahoma life, this move is a profound “high road” moment—a choice to prioritise growth over fame.
Who is Grumpy on High Road? Exploring the Ethereal Collaboration
One of the highlights of High Road is the haunting harmony created by New York indie-pop artist Grumpy, a.k.a. Heaven Schmitt.
Grumpy’s ethereal voice isn’t just a feature; it’s like a ghostly presence that complements Bryan’s raw emotion.
Having previously lent her voice to This World’s A Giant, Grumpy’s haunting tones feel like they belong to the same universe.
The shared cover art from their secret New York show in December 2021 hints at a bigger narrative connecting these tracks, almost like chapters in a book about longing and loss.
The contrast between Bryan’s country roots and Grumpy’s indie-pop background brings an intriguing tension to the song.
Her voice drifts through the track, adding layers that feel both comforting and eerie—a sound that perfectly underscores the song’s themes of memory and haunting.
A Lyrical Journey through High Road
Bryan’s lyrics in High Road offer a delicate blend of introspection and storytelling. He opens with lines that feel deceptively simple:
“Adderall and white-lace bras that make you fall in love
You left your blue jeans in my pickup truck”
At first glance, it feels like the setting of a familiar love story, but Bryan’s words take us to darker places.
He describes the unsettling experience of being out of sync with his surroundings, like a fish out of water in New York City:
“New York this time of year ain’t good for me
’Cause all my friends lack self-control and empathy”
In a world of indulgence and disconnect, Bryan’s longing for home and stability emerges.
It’s a subtle but powerful contrast between city chaos and rural peace, creating a poignant sense of displacement.
New York becomes more than just a place; it’s a symbol of Bryan’s inner conflict, torn between fame’s demands and his grounding in Oklahoma.
The Personal Side of High Road: A Tribute to His Mother
The heart of High Road lies in Bryan’s tribute to his late mother, Annette DeAnn.
In an emotional Instagram post the night before the release, Bryan shared his visit to her grave after being away for over a year and a half.
He described the bittersweet ritual of updating her on his life, from his acceptance to a master’s program in Paris to memories of nights spent laughing with friends.
This depth comes through in lines like:
“Remember tellin’ me I was gonna hit the big time
You died, guess you told God it was true”
Bryan’s lyrics capture a conversation with his mother that is both real and imagined, a cathartic release of the stories he never got to share with her.
It’s a powerful, almost sacred moment—a mother’s legacy preserved in song.
The Power of Symbolism: Ghosts, Memories, and Regret
Bryan’s verses shift between past relationships and family memories, with each line carrying layers of meaning.
The imagery of “ghosts in the windows and walls” evokes more than just the passing of time; it’s a reminder of the memories that haunt him, of the people he’s lost but feels close to every day.
These lines resonate deeply with anyone who has lost a loved one, encapsulating the eerie sense of presence that can linger in familiar places.
In the chorus, Bryan lays bare the heartbreak of waiting for a call that will never come:
“I’ve waited by the telephone all fuckin’ night
For someone that ain’t ever gonna call”
These lyrics strike at the heart of grief—Bryan’s acknowledgment that some connections, no matter how deeply yearned for, can never be rekindled.
Comparing High Road and This World’s A Giant
The release of High Road alongside This World’s A Giant offers a unique window into Bryan’s duality as an artist.
While High Road is a deeply personal ode to his late mother and the ghosts of the past, This World’s A Giant has a broader scope, touching on themes of fame, friendship, and the unpredictability of life on the road.
Together, these songs form a narrative of Bryan at a crossroads, balancing the responsibilities of public life with a yearning for personal peace.
The Sound of High Road: A Musical Evolution
Musically, High Road is a step forward for Bryan, exploring a sparse, atmospheric sound that matches the lyrical weight.
Grumpy’s voice floats like a distant echo, adding an otherworldly depth to the track, while the electric guitar cuts through like a late-night confession.
The melody feels cyclical, almost trance-like, as if it’s echoing down familiar Oklahoma roads Bryan describes.
The production captures a space between the living and the dead, embodying the conversation Bryan imagines with his mother.
Why High Road Matters in Zach Bryan’s Discography
High Road isn’t just another song; it’s a defining moment in Bryan’s journey.
It marks his ability to channel deeply personal experiences into music that resonates universally.
The song arrived at a critical time, as Bryan steps away from touring to pursue a master’s degree in Paris.
This decision feels like Bryan’s own “high road”—a commitment to growth over fame.
When he sings, “Seems that all these Quiet Dreams have gotten much too heavy, but I’m home now and I’ll hold you through the pain,” Bryan isn’t just talking about his own journey.
He’s speaking to anyone who’s had to find peace in a world that’s constantly moving.
In true Zach Bryan fashion, he turns personal pain into a shared experience, making High Road a testament to resilience.
Why High Road Resonates
In High Road, Zach Bryan takes a painful, personal journey and transforms it into a universally relatable story.
It’s a reminder that sometimes, taking the high road means reconnecting with your roots, even if those roots are shadowed by loss and memory.
As he finds his way back to Oklahoma, he leaves us with a song that’s not just about leaving, but about coming home.
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Zach Bryan High Road Lyrics
Verse 1
Adderall and white-lace bras that makes you fall in love
You left your blue jeans in my pickup truck
New York this time of year ain’t good for me
’Cause all my friends lack self-control and empathy
All the boys are crawlin’ in some shithole in the wall again
I missed this place more than I missed my home
Everyone is tellin’ me that I need help or therapy
But all I need is to be left alone
Chorus
She’s bound to come back and haunt you forever
There’s ghosts in the windows and walls
I’vе waited by the telеphone all fuckin’ night
For someone that ain’t ever gonna call
Verse 2
Remember tellin’ me I was gonna hit the big time
You died, guess you told God it was true
Remember sittin’ on your porch, you talked about your old regrets
In Tulsa while the bad things took your brain
It seems the quiet dreams have gotten much too heavy
But I’m home now and I’ll hold you through the pain
Chorus
She’s bound to come back and haunt you forever
There’s ghosts in the windows and walls
I’ve waited by the telephone all fuckin’ night
For someone that ain’t ever gonna call
Chorus
She’s bound to come back and haunt you forever
There’s ghosts in the windows and walls
I’m waitin’ by the telephone all fuckin’ night
Someone that ain’t ever gonna call
Outro
Adderall and white-lace bras that’ll makes you fall in love
You left your blue jeans in my pickup truck
New York this time of year ain’t good for me
‘Cause all my friends lack self-control and empathy
