Released: 2020
Zach Bryan’s ‘Washington Lilacs’ is a heartfelt song about redemption, love, and the promise of a fresh start. It’s a tale of a man who’s been through some rough patches, acknowledging his past mistakes, and promising to do better for the woman he loves.
The opening lines ‘You look like you’ve been through hell / But came back clean on the other side’ sets the tone of the song. Bryan acknowledges the struggles his love interest has been through, likely due to his own actions, but also recognizes her resilience.
‘Lord knows that I didn’t treat you well / But you’ll be treated like a queen tonight’ is Bryan’s admission of guilt. He didn’t treat her right in the past, but he’s promising to make amends.
The line ‘So darlin’, won’t you lie back / And just let an old flame warm you?’ is a plea for a second chance. He’s asking her to let him back into her life, to rekindle their old love.
‘I know I’m not the same me / And Lord knows you’re not the old you’ is an acknowledgment of change. Both of them have changed, hopefully for the better, and he’s ready to embrace this new version of them.
‘So babe, just pack your things and I / Swear that we won’t come back’ suggests a fresh start. He’s asking her to leave everything behind and start anew with him.
‘You’re about as pretty as those Washington Lilacs’ is a sweet compliment. Washington Lilacs are known for their beauty, and he’s comparing her to them, emphasizing her attractiveness and charm.
The lines ‘I roll up with a killer in my hand / And I’ll never claim to be better than I am’ is a confession of his flaws. He’s not perfect, and he won’t pretend to be. He’s honest about his shortcomings.
‘You look like a killer in that dress / So I guess my aim is to be your man’ shows his desire to be with her. She looks stunning, and he wants to be the man by her side.
Overall, ‘Washington Lilacs’ is a song of redemption and love. It’s about acknowledging past mistakes, promising to do better, and hoping for a second chance. It’s a beautiful testament to the power of love and the promise of a fresh start.
