Zach Bryan Performs “The Way Back” For The First Time Live In Houston

One of the fan favorites from The Great American Bar Scene.

“The Way Back” was one that fans were bucking for leading up to the release of Zach Bryan’s most recent record. The beautiful piano ballad was shared in March on YouTube, and fans quickly latched on to the reminiscent lyrics.

In the raw cut of the song, you are drawn in by Bryan’s slow delivery of the words of nostalgia, almost like he is coming up with them on the spot. He carries that feeling through to the studio cut of the track. The lyrics cut deep as the narrator thinks back on how they have grown and changed as people and how the times have changed with them.

“Tokin’ poison to some Killers song

Your old man’s Trans-Am in Kodachrome

Bumper sticker to the back right

State champs ’83 through ’85

She’s smokin’ cigarettes in the kitchen

Tom and Jerry’s on the front room television

She always sat under the oak tree

Sayin’, ‘God, I miss the old me’

God, I miss the old me…”

Fans have been itching to hear it live since the album was released on July 4th, and Houston was the lucky city chosen to debut this song on stage. Social media quickly filled with videos of Bryan performing the heartfelt song, and many users were in shock they got “The Way Back” and “American Nights” on the same setlist at NRG Stadium.

Fans quickly realized he might be gearing up to play “The Way Back” when he sat down behind the piano, and that feeling was quickly confirmed as Bryan introduced the song.

“I have never played this song on stage…I’m probably going to f**k this up, so if I do please help me out… I’m going to try my best.”

Bryan changed the song’s melody slightly, taking off the quick-hitting high notes that keep the beat on the piano. He adds them after the first few lines but starts playing very long, drawn-out notes on the piano, taking his time to get into the lyrics.

He holds true to his statement that he was likely going to mess it up, but that does not stop fans from living in the moment and placing themselves into the scene he sings.

I am sure there were some tears shed during this one.

Check it out.

@vicmcelhaney We are undeserving 😭 #zachbryan #quittintimetour #thewayback #americannights #houston #foryou #fypシ゚viral ♬ original sound – Victoria⚡️

If you’re itching for more, check out the entire performance of “The Way Back.”

@beccatexasmom Zach Bryans first time ever singing The way back @Zach Bryan @NRG Park #zachbryan #thewayback #zachbryantour #zachbryanconcert #quittingtimetour ♬ original sound – • Becca •