Zach Bryan managed to touch a soft spot in all of us with his new song “I Remember Everything” featuring Kacey Musgraves. As much as we want to forget someone or something from the past, we almost never can do so fully. In this song, Zach Bryan reminisces good and not-so-good memories from a past relationship.
Zach Bryan released his self-titled third studio album on August 25, 2023. The 16-track album has been receiving quite positive feedback from critics since its release. This is Zach Bryan’s follow-up project to his highly successful album ‘American Heartbreak’ from 2022.
“I Remember Everything” is no simple heartbreak anthem. Zach dives a little deeper into the concept from the POV of an Oklahoma man–where grown men don’t cry and whiskey solves a majority of problems of the heart.
Listen to “I Remember Everything” by Zach Bryan
Zach Bryan “I Remember Everything” Lyrics Meaning and Song Review
The song starts with Zach Bryan drowning his thoughts in rot gut whiskey–the kind of cheap quality whiskey that hits you hard in the guts. It’s the kind that overpowers your usual whiskey tolerance because you don’t want to think straight. However, memories from the past still seep in…
The beach was frequented by Zach and his partner from some time back. The Sun sets over the horizon and she is leaning over his shoulder. Nothing felt sweeter than this moment right then. Grown men don’t cry. Maybe it was the sand that flew into his eyes with the wind.
Even more personal stories start to bubble up in his mind. He remembers her talking about his dad and his ’88 Ford. He remembers her mother running off and pawning her wedding ring–likely tells us a story of a broken home. Their basement couch was another favorite spot they frequented. It has heard so many of these stories and witnessed many cries and words of affirmation.
Strangе words come on out
Of a grown man’s mouth when his mind’s broke
It is difficult to guess what words Zach would label as strange for a grown man to utter, however, a close call would be words describing his feelings. Or it could be the polar opposite being that he never knows the right thing when his head is so high and his heart is so concrete.
In the second verse of the song, Kacey Musgraves gives life to Zach’s partner’s POV. She sees this man drinking his mind off as they approach the inevitable. Are they going to talk it through? Zach is not much of a wordsmith when it comes to real life. She has grown tired of waiting for him to become the man he swore to become many many moons ago.
Memories are fickle subjects. Sometimes they serve well. Other times they cut us deep. Remembering to forget what needs to be forgotten is a special skill.
Let us hear what you think about this song in the comments below. Read the complete lyrics to the song on Genius.
