It’s a country-fest on the year-end Billboard Hot 100. Following yesterday’s line dance hit ‘Austin,’ the next four tracks are by country bros. Three of those are the same bro — Morgan Wallen, who sits at #28 (‘Last Night‘), #29 (‘Cowgirls‘), and #31 (‘Thinkin’ Bout Me‘).
In between all that Morgan Wallen is Zach Bryan at #30 with ‘Pink Skies,’ a touching song about grief. I’ve heard only a few of Bryan’s songs, but I’ve been impressed by every one. He reminds me a bit of Jason Isbell in those tracks — high praise — and that has me wanting to hear more.
The kids are in town for a funeral
So pack the car and dry your eyes
I know they got plenty of young blood left in ’em
And plenty nights under pink skies you taught ’em to enjoy
[Verse 2]
So clean the house, clear the drawers, mop the floors, stand tall
Like no one’s ever been here before or at all
And don’t you mention all the inches that are scraped on the doorframe
We all know you tiptoed up to 4’1″ back in ’08
[Chorus]
If you could see ’em now, you’d be proud
But you’d think they’s yuppiеs
Your funeral was beautiful
I bet God hеard you comin’
[Verse 3]
The kids are in town for a funeral
And the grass all smells the same as the day you broke your arm swingin’
On that kid out on the river
You bailed him out, never said a thing about Jesus or the way he’s livin’
[Chorus]
If you could see ’em now, you’d be proud
But you’d think they’s yuppies
Your funeral was beautiful
I bet God heard you comin’
[Interlude]
(Strum it)
[Chorus]
If you could see ’em now, you’d be proud
But you’d think they’s yuppies
Your funeral was beautiful
I bet God heard you comin’
[Outro]
The kids are in town for a funeral
So pack the car and dry your eyes
I know they got plenty of young blood left in ’em
And plenty nights under pink skies you taught ’em to enjoy
Meet Me In Montauk 
I wouldn’t have thought this song would be an obvious choice to release as a single or that it would become a hit, but I guess it struck a chord for those who have dealt with grief for the loss of a loved one.
Zach Bryan first got on my record after his collaboration with John Mayer on “Better Days”. If you haven’t heard that song off his most recent album, I highly recommend it! Good story telling and masterful solos from Mayer as expected. He has a unique raspy tone and earnest nature about him that definitely entices me. I will say my attention wasn’t held throughout his album, but he’s the kind of singer that I would never asked to have turned off if the music came on in the car. This is a beautiful song!