Nine Ball — Zach Bryan Lyrics

Song Details and Overview

• Composer: Zachary Lane Bryan
• Lyricist: Zachary Lane Bryan
• Release Date: September, 22, 2023
• Musical Genre: Roots Rock, Americana
• Album: Boys of Faith
• Track #: Opening Track #1
• Language(s): English
• Mood: Reflective, Hopeful, Nostalgic
• Music video actors: Matthew McConaughey (as Chuck), Tye Sheridan (as Jake), Scott Shepherd, Olivia Tovar (as Girlfriend)

The arrangement includes acoustic guitar, solo electric guitar, bass guitar, harmonica, fiddle and drums, creating a classic country music style. The music video was released on February 5, 2024.

Annotations for "9 Ball"

Bryan has stated on Twitter that the song was inspired by his father's connection with his grandpa, rather than his own relationship with his father. Bryan may be adopting a character for storytelling reasons, revealing that his father did not want to participate in this pool game or his father's (Bryan's grandfather's) plot. However, his father must save his father from a gamble that he is unable to win. In eight-ball pool, pocketing the solid black eight ball is the winner's final stroke. This song hints that nine-ball wasn't the only game the father was wagering on while his kid was playing. The narrator despises his father's gambling tendencies, and the phrase "cold blooded killer" might be a metaphor for the repercussions of such practices.Despite his young age, he is in a pool hall or pub because of his father. The pool stick was "gifted" to him by his father in order to solicit his aid in winning wagers.This might be seen as a double entendre. To succeed at billiards, you must have a literal steady hand, which ensures smooth strokes. He also acts as a "hand" for his father, ensuring that his hazardous wagers are safe.Bryan's father is exploiting him to win a pool game. He believes his child will make a "comeback" after being down in the start.

Bryan admits that he understands the table has a lean. This suggests he is aware that the table is not level and will utilize this to his advantage during the game. Zach's father has let booze and petty gambling take over his life, to the point where he has entirely ignored his connection with his son. The narrator wants to spend time with his father and feel loved, but he believes that the only time he makes his father pleased is when he wins the game of nine ball pool that his father was betting on.Bryan expresses his belief that his father's life will be insignificant. That he will spend his entire life in bars, dying on their "smoke-stained" seats."Boy's" has a twofold meaning. One possible reading is that the father is wagering on his son's game of nine-ball. Another reading is that the father is wagering on a casual game with his "boys," but he is going much too far for what it is worth. The shift in tense from "is" to "was" between choruses 1 and 2 suggests that his father may have been slain as a result of gambling too much and owing money to the wrong people.

Exploring the meaning of "Nine Ball"

Zach Bryan’s Nine Ball offers a heartfelt reflection on family, faith, and the formative moments that shape personal identity. The song draws inspiration from a story shared by Bryan’s father about his grandfather betting on his father’s pool-playing prowess as a child. This anecdote serves as a poignant metaphor for the trust, belief, and encouragement passed down through generations.

Roots and Relationships

The opening lines of the song delve into Bryan's relationship with his father, hinting at admiration and shared moments that helped shape his upbringing. The recurring theme of betting on someone mirrors the faith his father placed in him to pursue his music career, leaving his humble Navy roots in Oklahoma to share his songs with the world.

Instrumentation and Composition

The song features a distinct roots-rock style, incorporating: - A harmonica intro that adds a folksy Americana touch. - A bluesy bass riff, laying down a rich emotional undercurrent. - Melodic guitar work reminiscent of Jason Isbell, blending wistful storytelling with a devil-may-care attitude. This stylistic homage places Nine Ball alongside songs like Bryan’s own Overtime and Fear and Friday’s, while tipping its hat to Isbell’s Super 8 and Last of My Kind.

Meaning and Annotations

• [Verse 1]: Captures the intimate moment between father and son as they share whiskey and a game of pool. The verse conveys the foundational trust his father instilled in him, rooting him in self-confidence. • [Chorus]: Metaphorically frames the act of betting on someone, symbolizing belief in their potential. • [Verse 2]: Broadens the narrative to explore the legacy of his grandfather’s influence, connecting generational stories of encouragement and resilience. • [Outro]: The song ends with an open-ended note of hope, suggesting that the bets placed by his father were not in vain.

Similar Songs

If you enjoy Nine Ball, here are a few other tracks with similar themes of family, personal growth, and Americana storytelling:

• Jason Isbell: Last of My Kind – A reflective tale of feeling out of place but staying true to oneself.
• Chris Stapleton: Daddy Doesn’t Pray Anymore – A deeply personal song about family and faith.
• Bruce Springsteen: My Father’s House – A nostalgic look at a complicated father-son relationship.
• Sturgill Simpson: Long White Line – A track about journeying through life’s challenges with faith and determination.
• Zach Bryan: Overtime – Another rootsy track with an introspective narrative.

Chart Performance and Awards

Date 2023/09/28 US CA IE Peak 38 71 190

Quotes

"My dad and me were drinking whiskey playing pool one night, and he goes, 'Man, do I have a story for you.' Then he tells me about how my grandpa used to bet on him in pool games when he was just a kid." —Zach Bryan (via Twitter/X, January 2024)

"Nine Ball explores the faith and encouragement his father bestowed upon him, betting on his son to be a successful man." —The Arbiter (Boise State Student Media)

Video Key Highlights:

1. Father-Son Dynamics:

   • The story begins with a father teaching his son to play pool. The boy excels, unknowingly becoming part of his father's high-stakes bets.
   • As the boy grows older, he starts to understand the burden his father’s gambling places on him, leading to a mix of love, frustration, and fear of repeating the same mistakes.

2. The Gambler’s Downfall:

   • The father, characterized as a chronic gambler, eventually places a bet he can't afford to lose.
   • A pivotal moment comes when the son intentionally makes a "slop shot," losing the game to avoid deeper consequences for his father.

3. Full-Circle Moment:

   • The video ends with the father and son walking away together, symbolizing the son's unwavering loyalty despite his father's flaws.
   • A reflective undertone suggests the son contemplating his future and whether he will follow in his father's footsteps.

4. Matthew McConaughey’s Role:

   • McConaughey delivers a compelling performance, perfectly embodying the troubled and charismatic father figure. His presence adds gravity and authenticity to the narrative.

Themes Explored:

• Family Love vs. Dysfunction: The son's devotion to his father contrasts with the pain caused by his father's actions.
• The Gamblers’ Psyche: The video delves into the compulsive nature of gambling and its impact on relationships.
• Generational Reflection: The son’s fear of becoming like his father highlights the struggle to break free from inherited behaviors.

Credits

• Producer: Zach Bryan
• Assistant Engineer: Jake Weinberg, Dawson March & Daniel Bacigalupi
• Mastering Engineer: Pete Lyman
• Mixing Engineer: Jacquire King
• Bass: Jake Weinberg
• Drums: Jake Weinberg
• Background Vocals: Jake Weinberg
• Instrumentation: Jake Weinberg
• Fiddle/Violin: Rob Moose
• Vocals: Zach Bryan
• Director: Matthew Dillon Cohen
• Produced by: Adrian Testolin (line producer)
• Cinematography by: Larkin Seiple
• Editing by: Dylan Edwards
• Guitar: Zach Bryan & DEYO
• Label: Belting Bronco Records & Warner Records
• Publisher: Warner Chappell Music, Inc