28

Album

Great American Bar Scene,The

Label

Warner Records

Genre

Country

Composer(s)

Zachary Lane Bryan

Entered Chart

Jul 20, 2024

Peak Date

Jul 20, 2024

"28" is full of that signature Zach Bryan melancholic vibe, but with a surprising little jig in its step thanks to some rat-a-tat percussion and a lonesome fiddle that wouldn't sound out of place in an Irish pub. He recorded the song for The Great American Bar Scene, his fifth album, released on July 4, 2024. "28" feels like a personal revelation for Bryan. He takes us along as his girlfriend whisks him away to her childhood stomping grounds in Boston – a visit that feels loaded with meaning. The lyrics hint at a rough road for Zach in the past. I always felt like I's in between somethin' Like home and somewhere far away But this trip seems to be a turning point. With his girlfriend by his side, especially on his 28th birthday, he finally feels like he belongs. Took 28 years of blood I was lost in To feel loved on my own birthday This is a bittersweet kind of song. "28" acknowledges the bumps and bruises of life but celebrates the joy of finding that special someone who makes you feel whole. There's even a head-scratcher of an image thrown in: smoke seeping from his girlfriend's teeth. Maybe it's a metaphor for past struggles, or maybe it's just a detail that adds a touch of grit to the picture. Zach Bryan first started dating Barstool Sports podcast host Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia in the summer of 2023. It's pretty clear this is an autobiographical song about their relationship. Among the clues are: LaPaglia was born and raised in Boston. Bryan turned 28 on April 2, 2024, about the time he would have written this song. There's a line – "How lucky are we?" – that just so happens to be tattooed on Brianna's arm. Bryan wrote and produced "28" and played the guitar. The other musicians are: Monsune: piano Mike Robinson: pedal steel guitar Hannah Cohen: fiddle Graham Bright: electric guitar Cris Braun: bass Ana Monwah Lei: cello Jake Weinberg; drums, background vocals

You took a train to the south side of Boston
You showed me where your old man stayed
Took twenty-eight years of blood I was lost in
To feel loved on my own birthday
And I always felt like I's in between somethin'
Like home and somewhere far away
But tonight on the west side in a bar out in Brooklyn
I saw tears outline your face

How lucky are we?
It's been a hell of a week, but you're all grown now
There's smoke seepin' out of your bloody teeth
But you're home somehow

And I'll be upstairs with the guitar I's given
When I was barely fourteen
When did McGlinchey's get so crowded
And why are the crowds so damn green?
I lost my mind on the streets of the city
And maybe I lost all hope too
Took twenty-eight years of blood pumpin' through me
To get to this evening with you

How lucky are we?
It's been a hell of a week, but we're all grown now
There's smoke seepin' out of the bar down the street
But we're home somehow

How lucky are we?
It's been a hell of a week and we're all grown now
There's smoke seepin' out of the bar down the street
But we're home somehow

You took a train to the south side of Boston
You showed me where your whole heart stayed
Took twenty-eight years of blood pumpin' through me
To feel loved on my own birthday