I finally quit smoking cigarettes
And I don’t go downtown drinking ’til it’s dawn
The best parts of you are here, but you’re still gone
And, Lord, I’ve been trying to smile like you told me
Laugh like the old me, it comes out all wrong
The best parts of you are here, but you’re still gone
And I still tie that double knot
The one you taught, that gets caught on the banks
The best parts of you are here, but you still ain’t
I finally quit smoking cigarettes
And I don’t go downtown drinking ’til it’s dawn
The best parts of you are here but you’re still gone
I heard your father got sick of Long Island
I’ve been trying like hell to call
My mind ain’t well and I just can’t tell you why
I heard they shut down the old bar we’d go to when we needed rest
We’d always stay out too late Tuesday nights
You said I was the perfect gentleman
You used to hold me by my gentle hands
These ain’t the hopeful hands you held before
And I’ve been drinking so much lately, it seems a damn double blade
‘Cause when I’m drunk I dream you’re dancing down the shore
I heard your father got sick on Long Island
I’ve been trying like hell to call
My mind ain’t well and I just can’t tell you why
I heard they shut the old bar we’d go to, when we needed rest
We’d always stay out too late Tuesday nights
I heard your father got sick on Long Island
I’ve been trying like hell to call
My mind ain’t well and I just can’t tell you why
I heard they shut the old bar we’d go to, when we needed rest
We’d always stay out too late Tuesday nights
Reflecting on Loss and Change
“Jake’s Piano – Long Island” by Zach Bryan is a poignant ballad that delves deep into the emotions of loss, memory, and the enduring marks left by someone who has departed from one’s life. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of trying to move forward—quitting smoking, avoiding old haunts—while the best parts of a loved one linger in memories and habits. The repetition of “The best parts of you are here, but you’re still gone” underscores a struggle between holding on and letting go. Bryan’s storytelling is intimate, referencing personal rituals and shared spaces, such as tying a knot or recalling late nights at a bar, which now serve as bittersweet reminders. The recurring attempts to reach out, both physically and emotionally, highlight the ache of unresolved feelings and the challenge of healing after loss.
Song Credits
Artist: Zach Bryan
Songwriter: Zach Bryan
Release Year: 2024