Meaning of “Jake’s Piano / Long Island” by Zach Bryan

The verse of part two of this song (i.e. “Long Island”) implies that Zach is singing to a female and furthermore one who is obviously along the lines of being a romantic interest. The lyrics don’t go as far as to imply that they were ever an item, but obviously the potential was there, i.e. the vocalist having strong feelings for the addressee, and the two of them being like besties. 

And reading in between the lines (of the chorus), now it’s as if Bryan is afraid that this dear friend is no longer in his life.

It may be that, with her ‘father getting sick of Long Island’, dad decided to move away and take his daughter with him. That may explain why, as implied, Zach has been trying to call her but has been unsuccessful in that regard. 

Furthermore, he observes that “the old bar” – a setting that plays an important, recurring role in their relationship – has now “shut down”. And it wouldn’t be out of the way to speculate that the singer is also making that observation for metaphorical purposes, i.e. said closing being symbolic of his association with the addressee coming to an end.

So the thesis sentiment of this piece is in a way twofold yet related. As for “Jake’s Piano”, we find the vocalist alluding to the notion that he misses the addressee, thus connoting that the latter is absent. And on “Long Island”, it is more or less verified that Zach has been trying to contact this person, to the point where is not sure why she’s absent to begin with.

“I heard your father got sick on Long Island
I’ve been tryin’ 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”

Release Date for “Jake’s Piano / Long Island”

Zach Bryan and his team dropped this song on August 25 of 2023. It’s track #9 on the singer’s fourth self-named studio album.

Writing and Production

The singer composed and produced this track all by himself.