'Before You' by Bailey Zimmerman - Lyrics and Meaning

‘Before You’ serves as one of the many stand-outs from Bailey Zimmerman’s eagerly anticipated sophomore album, Different Night Same Rodeo, which we’ve been excited for ever since he released ‘Backup Plan’ with Luke Combs earlier this year. He’s spoken passionately about the project, saying it’s the album he’s ‘supposed to put out’.

Ever since the early days of his career, Bailey Zimmerman has had a great knack for evocative, brooding ballads. Zimmerman may be known for his high energy personality and live-wire performances with genuine crowd engagement in those big hit party songs, but this is why the slower ones hit harder from him.

We’ve grown to know the guy who’s ‘looking for a mum for Marley’ (his beloved and adorable Golden Retriever) with his heart firmly on his sleeve – and that’s where it stays for this track. It’s got sad, sullen chords, BZ’s vocals and a violin. Say no more.

“Before you, I was doing my best, before you, I was still a mess

Wanderin' 'round this town, didn't have a clue, before you

I don't have to say, I'm not perfect, babe

You already know, and you love me just the same”

Zimmerman introduces us to an imperfect lover boy. Flaws and all, he feels accepted by this new love in a way he hasn’t been before. It conjures a can kicking, small town soul lacking direction and purpose before finding it in a new relationship.

“Before you, my heart was running on "Empty"

Before you, I was drowning in an ocean of lonely

Now I look to something higher, walk straight through the fire

No, there ain't nothin' I won't do

To be the man I wanna be for you”

It's no secret that Zimmerman loves his cars, and he’s even managed to reference them in this ballad (maybe his true loves really are his trucks), conveying how lost he feels through the analogy of being a 4x4 that has been running on ‘empty’.

Zimmerman's loneliness was as all-encompassing and as unforgiving as the ocean, but the darkness cleared when he put his faith in a higher power. Now, he’s stronger than ever and knows exactly what kind of person he wants - and needs - to be.

“Letting go of the things in my past, all the heartbreaks holding me back

Was trying to find my own way to something new, then in walked you

I can't count the times that you've helped me through

I thank God for you, you made me living proof”

Holding onto his faith, the Louisiana native tried fight his way through alone at first – maybe a little self-forgiveness and reflection along the way. They say you’ll find the one when you stop looking, and that’s exactly what happened. His new partner has lifted him up, accepted and supported him and proven that he’s worthy of love.

He’s not mentioned a huge amount about this track, but he did send a teaser of the offering to his mailing list ahead of the arrival of Different Night Same Rodeo, saying, “I wanted to give you a little sneak peek of a new song from the album called, "Before You." I hope you love it and I can't wait for y'all to hear the rest!”

“Before you, I was doing my best, before you, I was still a mess

Wanderin' 'round this town, didn't have a clue, before you

I don't have to say, I'm not perfect, babe

You already know, and you love me just the same

-

Before you, my heart was running on "Empty"

Before you, I was drowning in an ocean of lonely

Now I look to something higher, walk straight through the fire

No, there ain't nothin' I won't do

To be the man I wanna be for you

-

Letting go of the things in my past, all the heartbreaks holding me back

Was trying to find my own way to something new, then in walked you

I can't count the times that you've helped me through

I thank God for you, you made me living proof

-

'Cause before you, my heart was running on "Empty"

Before you, I was drowning in an ocean of lonely

Now I look to something higher, walk straight through the fire

No, there ain't nothin' I won't do

To be the man I wanna be for you

-

Before you, my heart was running on "Empty"

Before you, I was drowning in an ocean of lonely

Now I look to something higher, walk straight through the fire

No, there ain't nothin' I won't do

To be the man I wanna be for you

To be the man I wanna be for you”

For more on Bailey Zimmerman, see below: