Released: 2023
Morgan Wallen’s “One Thing At A Time” is a hearty portrayal of a man grappling with letting go of a love while simultaneously dealing with the pull of his vices. It’s a raw, open-book confessional that highlights the struggles of moving on, using a country rock rhythm to tell a story of heartache, dependency, and the human condition’s complex layers. The song walks through the internal battle of choosing which part of oneself to heal first in the wake of a breakup, with Wallen’s gravelly voice bringing depth to every word.
The opening lines, “Somebody hand me a cigarette / I know I ain’t had one in over a week,” throw us directly into the thick of Wallen’s struggles. The cigarette symbolizes a fallback, a crutch he’s avoided but now seeks in times of emotional turmoil. This imagery is powerful, suggesting that despite progress (“over a week”), the pain of heartbreak can bring back old habits. The song then dives deeper, contrasting the idea of healing (“getting better by the day”) with the relapse triggered by memories of a past lover (“but tonight I drink”).
Wallen explores the theme of choice and prioritization in the chorus. “I can either burn the bar down / Or I can take your number out my phone” presents a vivid dichotomy between self-destructive behavior and taking steps towards moving on. Here, “burn the bar down” metaphorically suggests indulging in habits that numb the pain, while “take your number out my phone” signifies a concrete action towards healing. The crux of the song, however, lies in Wallen’s declaration, “I’m only quittin’ one thing at a time,” underscoring the challenge of overcoming multiple dependencies, whether on a person or a substance.
The song veers into a description of the vices Wallen is battling – whiskey, Grizzly (a brand of chewing tobacco), nicotine, and amphetamines – highlighting the complexity of addiction and the often intertwined struggle of addiction with emotional pain. The choice Wallen presents, between quitting these substances or quitting the memory of his love, speaks volumes about the difficulty of facing and healing from loss. It’s not just about the physical act of moving on but also the mental and emotional strength it requires.
Wallen’s assertion, “I ain’t no Superman, I’m just the way I am,” presents a moment of self-acceptance and realization. It acknowledges his imperfections and limitations, a raw admission that true change is a slow and often piecemeal process. The song closes on a note that balances resignation with a glimmer of hope, a reflection of the human spirit’s resilience despite its flaws.
Ultimately, “One Thing At A Time” is a story of human complexity, beautifully weaving themes of love, loss, addiction, and the painstaking journey of healing. It’s about the harsh reality that sometimes, we can’t fix everything at once, and that’s okay. Morgan Wallen’s song is a testament to the power of country music to articulate the deepest of human emotions, showing that within the specificity of personal experience lies a universal truth.
