Released: 2024
Zach Bryan’s ‘Like Ida’ is a heartfelt country ballad about love, separation, and the gritty realities of life on the road. It’s a song that speaks to the challenges of maintaining a relationship amidst the chaotic lifestyle of a touring musician, with the central character, Ida, symbolizing home, comfort, and authenticity.
The opening lines paint a picture of the singer waking up alone, ‘halfway to Dallas’ and ‘stoned out my mind.’ This sets the tone for the song, suggesting a life of constant movement and emotional turmoil, especially since his partner left him ‘last August.’
When he says, ‘When you make it to Nashville, you can tell by one hat tilt, That, that shit just ain’t my scene,’ he’s expressing his disdain for the pretentiousness of the mainstream music scene. The ‘hat tilt’ is a nod to the stereotypical image of a country singer, which he rejects.
The line ‘I like out-of-tune guitars and takin’ jokes too far’ is a testament to his preference for authenticity over perfection. The ‘bartender’s extra damn mean’ is a symbol of the rough-and-tumble, no-nonsense world he feels more at home in.
The chorus, ‘So roll where you’re rollin’…’ is a message to his partner, encouraging her to keep going and stay true to herself. The phrase ‘they’ll eat and they’ll spit you’ is a stark warning about the harsh realities of the world, while ‘They don’t know you like Ida’ suggests a deep, personal connection between the singer and Ida.
The line ‘I miss your silhouette, catchin’ coastal sunsets’ is a nostalgic reference to happier times, while ‘the sound of that rusty door hinge’ symbolizes the familiarity and comfort of home.
The final lines, ‘And that bullshit you see on the late-night TV, Is a long way from our beatin’ hearts’ is a critique of the superficiality of popular culture, contrasting it with the authenticity and depth of their relationship.
Overall, ‘Like Ida’ is a poignant exploration of love, longing, and the struggle to stay true to oneself in a world that often values image over substance.
