Released: 2022
Bryan Martin’s ‘More Than The Shine’ is a raw and honest depiction of the struggle and sacrifice involved in chasing dreams. It’s a tale of resilience, ambition, and the harsh realities of life on the road, particularly in the world of rodeo.
The song kicks off with a universal sentiment – everyone’s got their eye on the prize, aiming for the top. But Martin quickly dispels the illusion of glamour, asserting that success isn’t just about ‘denim and pearls’ – a country metaphor for material wealth.
He uses rodeo jargon to further illustrate his point. ‘Grip tighter and you get a deep seat’ and ‘Turn out your feet’ are instructions for a successful rodeo ride. But they also symbolize the need for determination and adaptability in life.
‘Eight seconds is a long damn time’ refers to the length of a successful bull ride in rodeo. But it’s also a metaphor for how brief moments can feel like an eternity when you’re in the thick of struggle.
The chorus, ‘It’s more than the shine in the buckle, Broken hearts, busted knuckles’ is a stark reminder of the price paid for success. The ‘shine in the buckle’ represents the glory and recognition, while ‘broken hearts, busted knuckles’ signify the physical and emotional toll.
‘You know you gotta hustle, You’re sifting through the rubble to find, Your soul’s on the line, and you’re runnin’ behind’ – this line underscores the relentless pursuit, the search for meaning amidst chaos, and the pressure of time.
The verses ‘Sometimes you land on your feet or accept defeat, Pick yourself up, get back on again’ encapsulate the cycle of failure and perseverance. It’s a nod to the resilience required to keep chasing dreams, despite the setbacks.
The line ‘Most nights you lie awake as your body aches, Knowing you’ve lost more than you’ll win’ is a brutal acknowledgment of the harsh realities of this pursuit. But it’s followed by a plea for divine guidance, suggesting a sense of hope amidst despair.
The song ends as it began, with the universal desire for success. But now, we understand that it’s ‘more than the shine’. It’s about the journey, the struggle, and the grit it takes to keep going.
