‘Streets of London’ by Zach Bryan - Lyrics & Meaning

Any long-time fan of Zach Bryan knows that the Oklahoma native has a penchant for marking big moments with a surprise release - as was the case throughout his beloved Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning run earlier this year, which saw Bryan dropping two tracks, ‘Dear Miss’ and ‘Blue Jean Baby’, to celebrate their victories.

Following his blockbuster run of shows at Dublin's Phoenix Park and London's BST Hyde Park, the ‘Something in the Orange’ hitmaker again felt compelled to commemorate these unforgettable concerts by treating his fans to some more new music.

Initially, Zach Bryan promised to drop ‘Streets of London‘ - which Bryan debuted during Night 1 at BST Hyde Park 2025 - on Monday (June 30th). When Monday came and went without any sign of the new song, Bryan took to his Instagram Stories to apologise for the delay and reveal he'd be sharing a second track alongside ‘Streets of London’ to make up for it. Well, on the drop date, the ‘I Remember Everything’ went a step further and gifted us a surprise three-song EP.

Alongside ‘Streets of London’, the new project - which features songs that won't be featuring on Bryan's next album, rumoured to be titled Motorbreath - includes the long-awaited ’River Washed Hair’ and another previously teased track, ‘Song for You’.

In 2025, Zach Bryan has built out his live show to include strings and horn sections, and this is reflected on ‘Streets of London’. It opens with a subdued Bryan crooning longingly across a sparse instrumental, before the horns enter the fray and inject extra energy into the track. The ‘Dawns’ singer-songwriter sounds jaded in his delivery, mirroring the feeling of weary homesickness that permeates the lyrics.

“The boys are breaking bottles out here on the streets of London
The women here, they look like movie stars
Things I'd do to be back in Oklahoma
Kickin' around at a hometown bar”

Zach Bryan wrote ‘Streets of London’ while in the UK capital rehearsing for his shows on this side of The Pond, and although he introduced the song at BST Hyde Park as a tribute to London, the general mood of the track is one of yearning to be back home.

The curtain opens on Bryan and his band-mates getting rowdy and drinking in the city, before gushing about how beautiful the women are in London, likening them to “movie stars”.

Even though it sounds like he's having a great time, Bryan then admits that he'd do anything to be able to get back to his home comforts and spend a cosy evening in an Oklahoma bar.

“And I've dined with kings and queens in the city
I filled my plate and then I filled it more
But my cup still stays half empty
And I'm jealous when all the sweat drops hit the floor”

Here, Zach Bryan references the fact that the UK still has a monarchy - a perennial source of fascination for many from the US. Rather than suggesting he actually dined with King Charles or anyone else from the royal family, this is most likely a description of having lavish, expensive dinners with wealthy people from London.

He depicts the luxuriousness of this lifestyle, outlining how he'd eat to his heart's content and fill up his plate more than once. We then get a powerful contrast between the “full” plate and a constantly “half-empty” cup. This is seemingly a double-entendre: on the one hand, his feels like he is lacking something, due to missing home, and on the other, it could suggest he is drinking to ease his pain.

The line “And I'm jealous when all the sweat drops hit the floor” is curious. Although enigmatic, it appears to imply the protagonist is feeling so weighed down and tired from his travels, that he has grown envious of his sweat getting to let go and rest on the floor. Alternatively, it could mean he is longing to leave this life of luxury and comfort, and return to the “wet, hot American nights” he often glamorises.

“And I walk the alleys tryna find myself a kick drum
Or a man cover a slow John Prine song
But in spite of myself, I just can't stop thinkin'
That paradise awaits for me back home”

He finds himself wandering the streets of London looking for something that will make him feel more at home, such as a kick drum down an alley, or a man covering John Prine.

Bryan shows off his knowledge of Prine's discography with a clever nod to the legendary artist's revered duet with Iris DeMent, ‘In Spite Of Ourselves’, in the lines, “But in spite of myself, I just can't stop thinkin’ / That paradise awaits for me back home”.

When introducing ‘Streets of London’ at Night One of BST Hyde Park 2025, Zach Bryan shared that he'd penned the track merely four days before taking the stage. Following his BST double-header, Bryan explained via Instagram why the song's release had been postponed, “yoooo decided to put two songs out instead of just one so it's gonna take an extra day!! Songs'll be out Tuesday sorry sorry sorry”.

He went on to add context to the release, confirming they would not be appearing on his Motorbreath album or his With Heaven On Top EP, “they are kind of just tunes that didn't belong on the record, and they didn't fit on an EP either, so I'm just releasing them to get them out into the world cause I love them. Hope you guys enjoy them. I love each one of ya!! even the folks who talked mad shit all year”.

Bryan went on to pay tribute to how special his experience performing at BST Hyde Park 2025 has been, “also only five people ever have sold out Hyde Park two nights in a row. I have you guys to thank for it. I love you so much for showing out London. I will love your beautiful city and country forever! See you next time!”

Zach Bryan warmly concluded, “and to my best friends, my crew, and my band. What you do I'll forever be indebted for. I am so lucky to know each and every one of you and you'll be my family forever. God speed boys and girls get back home safe !!!”

“The boys are breaking bottles out here on the streets of London
The women here, they look like movie stars
Things I'd do to be back in Oklahoma
Kickin' around at a hometown bar

-

And I've dined with kings and queens in the city
I filled my plate and then I filled it more
But my cup still stays half empty
And I'm jealous when all the sweat drops hit the floor

-

And I walk the alleys tryna find myself a kick drum
Or a man cover a slow John Prine song
But in spite of myself, I just can't stop thinkin'
That paradise awaits for me back home

-

Boys are breaking bottlеs down here on the streets of London
And thе women here, they look like movie stars
Things I'd do to be back in Oklahoma
Kickin' around at a hometown bar”

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