Two years ago today, Zach Bryan released his smash hit “Something In The Orange” from his American Heartbreak album.
His biggest song went viral on TikTok and across all social media. The song sits at more than 1.4 billion among all platforms two years after its release.
The song was a solo written by Bryan. When it was released, two versions were released: a more polished and radio-friendly version by Ryan Hadlock and a version with a rougher tone more akin to Bryan’s usual style by Eddie Spear, “Z&E’s Version.” “Z&E’s Version” was eventually released as part of American Heartbreak.
In October 2022, the song was certified Gold by the RIAA, and since then, it has been certified platinum seven times, with the latest certification in February 2024.
January 2023 saw the song reach the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 after a 38-week climb. This would kick off his mainstream success, with “I Remember Everything” (featuring Kacey Musgraves) claiming the top spot in 2023. The track was nominated for Best Country Solo Performance in 2023 and ended up losing to Willie Nelson’s “Living Forever,” who isn’t the worst person to lose out to.
Like many Zach Bryan songs, it was released on YouTube before being put on streaming platforms. It’s currently his biggest YouTube video, with 111 million views. From there, it went astronomically viral on TikTok before its April release. It was one of those sounds that users couldn’t hear for more than three minutes each time they opened the app. The sound attached to Zach Bryan’s verified account has been used nearly 200,000 times, not including all the copies from various accounts.
“Something in the Orange” is a testament to the power of collaboration. Although Eddie Spear’s version made the album cut, Ryan Hadlock had a significant role in producing other songs, such as “From Austin.” During the creative process, Hadlock shared with Variety, “Once we got it done, Zach was crying, we were crying in the control room,” says Hadlock. “We were like, oh my God, this is so beautiful.” This emotional connection is what makes the song so special.
Two years after its release, “Something in the Orange” stands as a testament to Zach Bryan’s meteoric rise in the music industry. It’s not just a song but a symbol of his journey, resonating with fans and critics alike. It’s become, for better or worse, a theme song of sorts for the alternative country scene and inseparable from Zach Bryan and his unprecedented rise to stardom.
