Released: 2022
Zach Bryan’s ‘Fifth of May’ is a poignant country ballad that paints a vivid picture of heartbreak, longing, and the struggle of getting by. The song takes us on a journey through the artist’s memories, marked by his own personal pain and the longing for a love that’s no longer there.
In the opening verse, Bryan sets the scene with a snapshot of his mother on a humid day in Western Kentucky. The image of her ‘gripping on her hip’ suggests a sense of unease or tension, likely due to his father’s departure ‘on a motorbike out to East L.A’. The phrase ‘It’s such a fine line between broken and lucky’ encapsulates the bittersweet nature of life, highlighting the thin line between happiness and sorrow.
The chorus of the song speaks to the challenges of life. ‘Getting high’s easy, getting drunk’s fine, it’s the getting by that’ll get a soul down’ – this line is a raw admission of the struggles Bryan faces. The ease of escaping reality through substances is contrasted with the difficulty of simply getting by in life.
In the second verse, Bryan shares more about the love he lost. The line ‘I can feel when your body ain’t in this bed’ is a powerful expression of his loneliness and longing. The ‘little notes’ left behind in ‘coat pockets and cabinetry’ serve as painful reminders of a love that once was.
The repeated chorus underscores the ongoing struggle Bryan faces. His pain is palpable as he sings ‘So if you need me, know that I’m bleeding, somewhere alone in some coastal town’. This line reveals his vulnerability and the depth of his heartache.
The song ends as it began, with the image of his mother in Western Kentucky. This cyclical structure emphasizes the enduring nature of his pain and the struggle of moving forward. ‘Fifth of May’ is a powerful exploration of heartbreak, longing, and the harsh realities of life, delivered with raw honesty and emotional depth.
