We have two more repeats at #11 and #12 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100.
Morgan Wallen has his second track in the top 11 with ‘You Proof,’ a bro country anthem that predates his 36-track opus.
And Harry Styles’ ‘As It Was‘ continues its chart dominance, still hanging on at #12 a full year after it debuted at #1. This song spent a total of 15 weeks in the top spot, becoming the fourth longest-running #1 in Hot 100 history, and the longest-running by a solo artist.
That means it’s lucky #13 that closes out this installment of ‘What the Kids are Listening To,’ in the form of Bailey Zimmerman’s ‘Rock and a Hard Place.’
When I first read Zimmerman’s name, I assumed this was a song by a woman, possibly an alt-rocker or pop singer. But no, Zimmerman is another country bro, and ‘Rock and a Hard Place’ is another bro country soft rock ballad. Apologies to Bailey, but I just don’t get anything out of this genre.
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
[Pre-Chorus]
We’ve been talkin’ ’bout forever since we been together
Somethin’ ’bout a ring makes you think we’re better
Off with all this, but we’re caught in-between
[Chorus]
A rock and a hard place
Red wine and mistakes
Tears rollin’ down your face
When I walked out that door
That’s when I lost it
Midnight in Austin
Damn, I’m exhausted
What the hell’s this all for?
Is this where it mеnds or it breaks?
Between a rock and a hard place
[Verse 2]
For thе record (Shit)
Throwin’ in the towel takes some effort
So I’d rather ride it out for better weather
Together
[Chorus]
Between a rock and a hard place
Red wine and mistakes
Tears rollin’ down your face
When I walked out that door
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?
Between a rock and a hard place
[Pre-Chorus]
We’ve been talkin’ ’bout forever since we been together
Somethin’ ’bout a ring makes you think we’re better
Off with all this, but we’re caught in-between
[Chorus]
A rock and a hard place
Tears rollin’ down your face
As I walked out that door
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?
Meet Me In Montauk 
I don’t know, I can kinda see the appeal of a mellow country song like this, especially if I were inclined to be having a beer at a bar, say in Austin around midnight.😀
I find this song, with all is trite sentiments, somehow poignant. With a limited vocabulary of emotions to fully understand let alone analyze why his relationship is struggling, he puts his frustration to music. I can see how many people, men in particular, would find this song comforting.