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The Jonas Brothers & Bailey Zimmerman - ‘Strong Enough’
Label: Jonas Brothers Recording / Republic Records
Release Date: 10th November 2023
Album: Strong Enough
Producer: Jon Bellion, The Monsters & Strangerz & Kid Harpoon
Songwriter: Amy Allen, Jonathan Bellion, Kid Harpoon, Michael Pollack, Stefan Johnson, Jordan K. Johnson, Keith Richards & Mick Jagger
The Background:
It's safe to say a collaboration between pop maestros, The Jonas Brothers, and Illinois country prodigy, Bailey Zimmerman, was not something we expected 2023 would bring us.
But then again, we also never imagined Post Malone would link up with HARDY and Morgan Wallen to cover Joe Diffie's 90's country classic, ‘Pick-Up Man’, so perhaps The Jonas Brothers teaming up with Bailey Zimmerman isn't as outlandish as we might've once thought.
Either way, it represents an exciting moment for country music. Instead of country artists seeking pop-leaning collaborations in order to elevate themselves outside of the genre, now, it's seemingly switched, with pop and rap artists are seeking out duets with folk and country titans such as Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Noah Kahan and more, as a result of the genre's recent explosion in popularity.
Bailey Zimmerman and The Jonas Brothers first teased ‘Strong Enough’ with a not-so-subtle Instagram photo of four red solo cups lined up, with ‘Nick’, ‘Kevin’, ‘Bailey’ and ‘Joe’ emblazoned respectively. Shortly after, the three brothers and Bailey confirmed they'd be releasing ‘Strong Enough’ on November 10th 2023.
The Sound:
If you're wondering why Mick Jagger has a credit on ‘Strong Enough’, all you have to is listen to the beginning of the hook and you'll hear a resemblance to The Rolling Stones’ 1981 hit, ‘Start Me Up’.
‘Strong Enough’ finds Bailey Zimmerman stepping into The Jonas Brothers’ world and embracing their polished production and soaring, infectious hooks that have made them a pop mainstay.
Bailey takes the lead for the opening verse, before the four vocalists combine for the euphoric, sleek chorus, with a lively, uptempo drum pattern rebounding against the shimmering guitar riff.
The four artists harmonise virtually with barely any accompaniment for the first part of the hook, which places the emphasis on their radiant vocals, before the beat kicks in and the chorus reaches its uplifting, energising crescendo. The melody and themes of ‘Strong Enough’ are a joyous throwback to early 2010s pop, with The Jonas Brothers and Bailey Zimmerman delivering an unashamedly feel-good anthem.
The Meaning:
“Been a hell of a week but we made it yeah we made it
Yeah the bar shutting down but we staying yeah we staying
Only got so long till the morning comes
And life is too short to be wasted”
‘Strong Enough’ starts in the staple stomping ground of a club party-starter, as Bailey Zimmerman laments the hardships and stresses he's experienced during the working week.
As a result, he's keen to blow off some steam - and he doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon. Even though the bar's making its last call, Bailey underlines that he and his buddies will be staying long into the early hours. The last line of his verse is a witty play on the word ‘wasted’, as he uses it to emphasise his eagerness to make the most of the moment and not let the good times pass him by.
At the same time, by attempting not to ‘waste’ the here and now, in the hook Bailey Zimmerman and The Jonas Brothers outline their plans to get well and truly ‘wasted’ in a different sense.
“So light me up twist me something good
Make it strong enough
Last long enough
Before the night is up
Just give me something good
Pour me all your love
Make it strong enough
I’m never coming down
Make it strong enough
I’m never coming down”
For the electrifying chorus, The Jonas Brothers and Bailey Zimmerman launch into their all-night celebrations with a demand for a little something they can light up to take the edge off.
They use the elation of being drunk and high as a metaphor for the feeling of being with their lover as they party, with the lines “Pour me all your love” and “Light me up twist me something good” being thinly veiled references to drinking alcohol and smoking.
“Always say what I want when I’m faded
And I’m faded
Put it on play our song till we break it
Till we break it”
This imagery of being ‘wasted’ continues into the second half of the song, with the protagonist revealing that they have an extra boost of confidence due to being under the influence, suggesting they're not afraid to tell their lover how their feelings for them.
In another retro-inspired turn of phrase, they resolve to play the couple's soundtrack on repeat until they break the speakers. This lyric and the earlier line about partying until the morning accentuates how they want this moment to last forever, as they strive to live in this jubilant escape for as long as possible, before returning to reality.
What has Bailey Zimmerman said about ‘Strong Enough’?
Ahead of the release of ‘Strong Enough’, The Jonas Brothers underlined their admiration for Bailey Zimmerman and the unique sound he's been pioneering in 2023, “We’re so excited to team up with Bailey for ‘Strong Enough’! He’s such a talented artist who’s had an amazing year, so it’s been a blast collaborating with him”.
Bailey echoed their enthusiasm, “I’ve been a fan of The Jonas Brothers for as long as I can remember. I literally grew up with them! It’s been incredible to get to know Joe, Nick, and Kevin, and we’ve already shared some memories I’ll never forget. The fact that they would ask me to be on a song still blows my mind. I hope y’all like it as much as I do!”
In an interview with Taste of Country during the 2023 CMA Awards, Bailey Zimmerman revealed how this collaboration came about, “Randomly, It was just like... randomly met them in Boston. They invited me to their show in Boston after I played Fenway with Morgan [Wallen]. Three weeks later The Jonas Brothers send me a song,And then all of a sudden I'm on like a text chat with Nick, Joe and Kevin. We were like talking about it and then now we have a song coming out”.
For the full lyrics to The Jonas Brothers & Bailey Zimmerman's ‘Strong Enough’, see below:
“Been a hell of a week but we made it yeah we made it
Yeah the bar shutting down but we staying yeah we staying
Only got so long till the morning comes
And life is too short to be wasted
So light me up twist me something good
Make it strong enough
Last long enough
Before the night is up
Just give me something good
Pour me all your love
Make it strong enough
I’m never coming down
Make it strong enough
I’m never coming down
Always say what I want when I’m faded
And I’m faded
Put it on play our song till we break it
Till we break it
Only got so long till the morning comes
And life is too short to be wasted
So light me up (Light Me Up)
Twist me something good
Make it strong enough
Last long enough
Before the night is up
Just give me something good
Pour me all your love
Make it strong enough
I’m never coming down
Never coming down
Make it strong enough
Strong Enough (3x)
Never coming down (5x)
So light me up twist me something good
Make it strong enough
Last long enough
Before the night is up
Just give me something good
Pour me all your love
Make it strong enough
I’m never coming down
Never coming down”
For more on Bailey Zimmerman, see below:
