(One, two, three four)
Well, the buildin’s out in Brooklyn are taller than the clouds
And I don’t like who I am Sunday mornin’, comin’ down
Tequila out in Texas is tougher on the tongue
Than the devil that I met in Oklahoma when I’s young
I miss that old ball cap you stole from me
Out in the woods around a fire in Eastern Tennessee
And the beatin’ that I got from them boys in Baton Rouge
Was nothin’ like the beatin’ that I got from loving you
Take me back to us then
Where the time’s told true
And the sun does shine on a lawn chair holding you
Take me back to us then
Where there’s a warm, warm light
Radiatin’ off a cheap smile
Oh, ma, I could die tonight
And that creek we jumped in while you were shakin’ cold
I never thought such heat would grow dry and old
Takes blood and guts just to get to where we were
Put on your dancin’ shoes, I’ll be him and you be her
Take me back to us then
Where the time’s told true
And the sun does shine on a lawn chair holding you
Take me back to us then
Where there’s a warm, warm light
Radiatin’ off a cheap smile
Oh, ma, I could die tonight
Take me back to us then
There’s a warm, warm light
Radiatin’ off a cheap smile
Oh, ma, I could die tonight
Nostalgia and Heartache in “Us Then”
In “Us Then,” Zach Bryan paints a vivid picture of lost love and nostalgia, employing heartfelt imagery and raw storytelling that resonate with listeners. The lyrics traverse a landscape of American places and memories—Brooklyn, Texas, Tennessee—serving as backdrops for moments of vulnerability and connection. Bryan contrasts the pain of heartbreak with the innocence of youthful romance, using poignant lines about beatings, both literal and emotional, to highlight the lasting impact of love lost. The refrain, “Take me back to us then,” becomes a plea for simpler times, where happiness radiated from small joys and genuine connection. The song’s bittersweet tone captures the universal longing to return to moments when life felt more sincere, and love seemed everlasting.
Song Credits
Artist: Zach Bryan
Songwriter: Zach Bryan
Release Year: 2024