Stick Season

Album

Stick Season

Label

Mercury Records

Genre

Dance-pop

Duration

2:00

Composer(s)

Noah Kahan

Entered Chart

Oct 14, 2023

Peak Date

May 11, 2024

Released

October 14, 2022

Here, Noah Kahan sings about a long-distance relationship that didn't work out. He feels isolated from the rest of the world in Vermont, especially with the pandemic situation. Being in a rural area, he refers to it as "the sticks." This makes him ponder what could have been in a different place or time. The term "stick season" is commonly used to describe the period in late autumn or early winter after the leaves have fallen from the trees but before the snow has started to accumulate on the ground. During this time, the trees appear "stick-like" without their leaves, and the landscape can seem barren and desolate. The term is often used in regions with deciduous forests, such as the northeastern United States and Canada. The expression "stick season" applies to the song as Kahan moves from having a special someone in his life to losing them, leaving him feeling like the world around him is now bleak and barren. "Stick Season" is the title track of Noah Kahan's third album. During the pandemic, Kahan returned to his hometown in Vermont and composed Stick Season. The album has a stronger folk genre influence than Kahan's previous pop-sounding works because he wanted to honor the folk musicians he listened to during his childhood. Kahan wrote "Stick Season" himself and co-produced it with Gabe Simon. Songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Gabe Simon has produced and/or written songs for Lana Del Rey ("Blue Banisters"), James Bay ("Give Me The Reason") and Jessie Murph ("Pray"). After a teaser of "Stick Season" went viral on TikTok, Kahan released the full version to streaming platforms on July 8, 2022. It became a hit, reaching #12 on Billboard's Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. Stick Season debuted at #14 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in late 2022. It reached a new level on the listing dated June 24, 2023, soaring from the 100th spot to #3. Several factors contributed to this achievement. Firstly, the release of the deluxe edition Stick Season (We'll All Be Here Forever) earlier in June played a crucial role. This expanded version features seven fresh tracks, including the highly anticipated "Dial Drunk," which had been generating buzz on TikTok. Moreover, the long-awaited release of the album on vinyl on the same day fueled robust sales numbers. Fans eagerly embraced the opportunity to own a physical copy of Stick Season, further propelling it up the charts.

As you promised me that I was more than all the miles combined
You must have had yourself a change of heart, like halfway through the drive
Because your voice trailed off exactly as you passed my exit sign
Kept on driving straight and left our future to the right
Now I am stuck between my anger and the blame that I can't face
Memories are somethin' even smoking weed does not replace
And I am terrified of weather 'cause I see you when it rains
Doc told me to travel, but there's COVID on the planes

And I love Vermont, but it's the season of the sticks
And I saw your mom, she forgot that I existed
And it's half my fault but I just like to play the victim
I'll drink alcohol 'til my friends come home for Christmas
And I'll dream each night of some version of you
That I might not have but I did not lose
Now you're tire tracks and one pair of shoes
And I'm split in half, but that'll have to do

So I thought that if I piled something good on all my bad
That I could cancel out the darkness I inherited from dad
No, I am no longer funny 'cause I miss the way you laugh
You once called me forever, now you still can't call me back

And I love Vermont, but it's the season of the sticks
And I saw your mom, she forgot that I existed
And it's half my fault but I just like to play the victim
I'll drink alcohol 'til my friends come home for Christmas
And I'll dream each night of some version of you
That I might not have but I did not lose
Now you're tire tracks and one pair of shoes
And I'm split in half, but that'll have to do

Oh, that'll have to do
My other half was you
I hope this pain's just passin' through
But I doubt it

And I love Vermont, but it's the season of the sticks
And I saw your mom, she forgot that I existed
And it's half my fault but I just like to play the victim
I'll drink alcohol 'til my friends come home for Christmas
And I'll dream each night of some version of you
That I might not have but I did not lose
Now you're tire tracks and one pair of shoes
And I'm split in half, but that'll have to do
Have to do