Rock And A Hard Place

Album

Leave the Light On (EP)

Label

Warner Music Nashville

Genre

Country rock

Composer(s)

Bailey Zimmerman;Heath Warren;Jacob Hackworth;Jet Harvey

Entered Chart

Jun 25, 2022

Peak Date

Apr 1, 2023

Released

June 10, 2022

Recorded

Unknown

Catalog #

Warner Nashville

The phrase between a rock and a hard place refers to a dilemma where the choice is of two equally difficult or unpleasant alternatives. The expression has a biblical ring but is of modern American origin. Here, Bailey Zimmerman chronicles a relationship that started out strong but became badly damaged. Does he try to ride out the difficult period and continue with the pain and tears or cut his losses and endure the heartbreak of breaking up? Zimmerman hinted he wrote the song after difficulties in a relationship motivated him to rethink his alcohol consumption. He first referred to "Rock And A Hard Place" in a May 2022 Instagram post where he sang the first four lines, then said, "You all ask me why I quit drinking – I realized that drinking my life away wasn't going to ever bring you back." Zimmerman released "Rock and a Hard Place" on June 10, 2022 in response to its popularity on social media. It immediately debuted at #24 on the Hot 100. Heath Warren, Jacob Hackworth and Jet Harvey originally wrote "Rock And A Hard Place." Zimmerman recorded the song after hearing Heath Warren perform it on his Instagram page. "When I listen to outside cuts, I'm listening for the very first line. If it doesn't grab me, I'm like, 'No.' But as soon as I heard that on Heath's Instagram, and I heard the line, 'Like swinging and missing,' I knew that I wanted to cut it," Zimmerman told Billboard. It was perfect key and everything." Canadian singer-songwriter Austin Shawn produced and engineered the track. He also played the drums. The other musicians are: Electric and acoustic guitar: Tim Galloway Bass: Michael Rinne Pedal steel guitar: Kurt Ozan Fiddle: Jim Van Cleve The Rolling Stones recorded a song with the same name for their 1989 Steel Wheels album. Their title referenced problems in the band after Mick Jagger and Keith Richards released solo albums.

We've been swingin' and missin'
It ain't broke yet, but damn, it needs fixin'
Been a while since your kiss felt like kissin'
It's just different

We've been talkin' 'bout forever since we've been together
Somethin' 'bout a ring makes you think we're better off with
All this but we're caught in

Between a rock and a hard place
Red wine and mistakes
Tears rollin' down your face
When I walked out that door
And that's when I lost it
A midnight in Austin
Damn, I'm exhausted
What the hell's this all for?
Is this where it mends or it breaks?
Between a rock and a hard place

For the record, shit
Throwin' in the towel takes some effort
So I'd rather ride it out for better weather
Together

Between a rock and a hard place
Red wine and mistakes
Tears rollin' down your face
When I walked out that door
And that's when I lost it
A midnight in Austin
Damn, I'm exhausted
What the hell's this all for?
Is this where it mends or it breaks?
Between a rock and a hard place

We've been talkin' 'bout forever since we've been together
Something 'bout a ring makes you think we're better off with
All this but we're caught in

Between a rock and a hard place
Tears rollin' down your face
As I walked out that door
And that's when I lost it
Midnight in Austin
Damn, I'm exhausted
What the hell's this all for?
Is this where it mends or it breaks?
How much more of this can we take?