From a family with a long history of military service, Bryan was born in Okinawa, Japan, in 1996, while his family was deployed overseas. Growing up in the small town of Oologah, Oklahoma, Bryan started playing music at 14, when his father and grandfather bought him a Takamine guitar for his birthday. After learning to play and write lyrics, Bryan began to create his own unique sound.
Bryan describes authenticity as essential to his music: “I’ll always tell the truth in whatever I’m playing or singing.Whether it’s one of the hopeless love songs I sing or a story I wanted to put into a tune, just know at one point in time I was putting all my heart and all my thought into how my feelings and thoughts might be understood by other people.”
Highway Boys
Zach Bryan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got a gig out at the Ryman
Finally learned the hard way that
All good things take time, friend
I heard they'll pay a lost soul
Sing his songs true
That make a southern boy cry or
And I awoke with a fever
Sweating oceans again
There's mirrors in hotel rooms
But I do not recognize them
Maybe it's the feelin' that I get in my sleep
That all the memories in my mind
Are only mine to keep
I wanna ride that K-10 to way back when
Sleep next to the river, hear it rushin' again
Get my no good soul back to where it belongs
And do my best to keep truth in songs
And do my best to keep truth in songs
And all of my old friends miss having me around, but
Highways work both ways
And I can't stand the liars in town
If you need me you can find me
Slightly out of control
'Cause Highway boys don't rest
And don't hang hats 'til they're home
Highway boys on the road tonight
Got a gig out at the Ryman
They finally found out the hard way
That this sound I got is mine, man
So, if you need me call
If you're in love, fall
Just know that highway boys
Don't stick around at all
I wanna ride that K-10 to way back when
Sleep next to the river, hear it rushin' again
Get my no good soul back to where it belongs
And do my best to keep truth in songs
And do my best to keep truth in songs
Highway boys on the road tonight
Got a gig out at the Ryman
They finally found out the hard way
That this sound I got is mine, man
The song "Highway Boys" by Zach Bryan is a story of his experience as a musician who's always on the road and never gets a chance to stay in one place for long. The lyric captures the longing of Bryan to go back to where he belongs, where he can be himself and keep the truth in his songs.
The song starts with Bryan talking about his fellow musicians who are also on the road, and they are heading to their next gig at the Ryman. They have learned the hard way that good things take time, and they are pursuing their dreams no matter what it takes. Bryan also mentioned that they pay lost souls to sing true songs that could make a southern boy cry or a northeast man confused.
The next stanza sees Bryan alone in a hotel room, feeling feverish and sweating oceans. He reflects on the memories in his mind and how they are his to keep. He yearns to go back to the way things were, to hear the river rushing, and be where his no-good soul belongs.
In the last stanza, Bryan talks about how he can be found if needed, by calling him, but he will always be on the move. He values the truth in his songs and is committed to keeping that value alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Highway boys on the road tonight
The singer talks about himself and his bandmates, who are traveling on the highway for their show tonight.
Got a gig out at the Ryman
The band has a performance scheduled at the Ryman Auditorium, which is a prestigious and well-known venue in Nashville, Tennessee.
Finally learned the hard way that
All good things take time, friend
The singer has realized that success doesn't come overnight and it takes time and effort to achieve one's goals.
I heard they'll pay a lost soul
Sing his songs true
The singer heard that the Ryman will pay a musician who sings from the heart and shares his own experiences through his songs, even if he's struggling and lost.
That make a southern boy cry or
Turn a northeast man confused
The singer's songs are meant to evoke strong emotions in his listeners, both in the South and the Northeast of the United States.
And I awoke with a fever
Sweating oceans again
There's mirrors in hotel rooms
But I do not recognize them
The singer is experiencing a fever and is sweating profusely. He is staying in hotel rooms while on tour, but he's feeling disconnected from his surroundings and doesn't recognize himself in the mirrors.
Maybe it's the feelin' that I get in my sleep
That all the memories in my mind
Are only mine to keep
The singer thinks that his memories are his own and nobody else can truly understand or relate to them.
I wanna ride that K-10 to way back when
Sleep next to the river, hear it rushin' again
Get my no good soul back to where it belongs
And do my best to keep truth in songs
And do my best to keep truth in songs
The singer wants to go back in time and find peace by sleeping next to a river. He also wants to reconnect with his true self and inspires himself to tell honest and truthful stories through his music.
And all of my old friends miss having me around, but
Highways work both ways
And I can't stand the liars in town
The singer's old friends miss him, but he can't stay in town because he doesn't like the dishonest people there. He reminds the listener that highways work both ways, and he may come back someday.
If you need me you can find me
Slightly out of control
'Cause Highway boys don't rest
And don't hang hats 'til they're home
The singer can always be reached, but he may be a little wild and unpredictable because of life on the road. He also emphasizes that his band doesn't rest until they complete their journey and make it back home.
They finally found out the hard way
That this sound I got is mine, man
The singer's bandmates have realized that the sound they produce is unique and special. This is something the singer has always known and he's happy that his brothers-in-arms are on the same page now.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Zachary Lane Bryan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mn_outdoors_fishing
This man helped drag me out some dark times. Don’t give a crap I play his songs on repeat. Never gets old
Much love ZB
Best time of my life traveling to Snowmass Aspen to see yah play. Lost my mother next day on Labor Day 2022
Been stuck in a time warp with your music since.
Keep killing it brother
@GradySmith
"Do my best to keep truth in songs" is a beautiful mission. Thanks for your work, Zach.
@zachbryan1067
Love you brother. Hope to see you soon!
@tonycox8746
@@zachbryan1067 come back to Kentucky soon man. We missed you last time you played.
@tonycox8746
They broke the mold after Zach was made, Grady. He filled that void of well written songs we've been missing.
@colerhea4182
@@tonycox8746 he’s performing in Ashland, June 18
@tonycox8746
@@colerhea4182 thanks. I'll try to make that one.
@elisather8029
Dads in prison, moms a 4 time felon living in a different state still lost in life, and my sister got murdered 4-4-2020. I feel like I don’t have a place in life and I’m struggling but music like this keeps me going. Thank you Zach Bryan writing real music and helping us through the tough times.
@Yourmom-ww1sp
Keep your life straight and make a name for yourself and you’ll be set man. Keep your head up and know that youre your own person
@sdk2265
Parents are like cars. Some people drive Ferraris, others VW vans. Some people have cars that you have to have to push more than you get to ride. Honestly, parents core purpose is to get you here. Sounds like your ride was bumpy. Don't worry about it and claim your piece of sky, it is infinite and there is always room on top. Honor yourself by giving yourself the ability to help others. Be creative. Define alchemy.
@brigsmith949
Chin up chest out brother