In a year that gave us a new Beyoncé album, it’s surprising to see her first and only appearance on the year-end Hot 100 way down at #38. But that’s where you’ll find ‘Break My Soul.’
At #39 is yet another country bro, the fourth in the 30s, as Zach Bryan shows up with the oddly titled ‘Something in the Orange,’ the second single from his album American Heartbreak.
The “orange” referred to is the sunrise, and it isn’t the weirdest lyric in this song. That honor goes to the phrase “when you place your head between my collar and my jaw,” which had me thinking for a moment that this was written from the perspective of a dog.
That confusion aside, I really like the sound of this song.
It’ll be fine by dusk light, I’m tellin’ you, baby
These things eat at your bones and drive your young mind crazy
But when you place your head between my collar and jaw
I don’t know much, but there’s no weight at all
[Verse 2]
And I’m damned if I do and I’m damned if I don’t
‘Cause if I say I miss you, I know that you won’t
But I miss you in the mornings when I see the sun
Somethin’ in the orange tells me we’re not done
[Chorus]
To you, I’m just a man; to me, you’re all I am
Where the hell am I supposed to go?
I poisoned myself again, somethin’ in the orange
Tells me you’re never comin’ home
[Verse 3]
I need to hear you say you’ve been waitin’ all night
There’s orange dancin’ in your eyes from bulb light
Your voice only trembles when you try to speak
Take me back to us dancin’, this wood used to creak
[Chorus]
To you, I’m just a man; to me, you’re all I am
Where the hell am I supposed to go?
I poisoned myself again, somethin’ in the orange
Tells me you’re never comin’ home
[Chorus]
To you, I’m just a man; to me, you’re all I am
Where the hell am I supposed to go?
I poisoned myself again, somethin’ in the orange
Tells me you’re never comin’ home
If you leave today, I’ll just stare at the way
The orange touches all things around
The grass, trees, and dew, how I just hate you
Please turn those headlights around
Please turn those headlights around
Meet Me In Montauk 
Not sure why that line struck you as odd or conjured up the image of a dog. Seems to me it’s just a clever way of avoiding the cliche “head on my chest.” Anyway, I too like the sound of this song.
“Between his collar and his jaw” would be closer to his jugular than his chest, and it sounds quite uncomfortable. Still, I, too, like the song, though I’m surprised to see it on this list.
Amy should know as this is where Serena lays on her every night 🙂
Molly’s head could never fit between our collar and jaw ❤️