You’ve probably heard "Something in the Orange" roughly four hundred times if you’ve stepped inside a bar or a grocery store in the last three years. It’s unavoidable. But honestly, if you think that’s the only reason Zach Bryan is currently the biggest thing in music, you’re missing the forest for the trees.
The reality of popular Zach Bryan songs is way more chaotic than just a few radio hits. This is a guy who just dropped a 25-track album called With Heaven On Top in early January 2026, and people are already screaming the lyrics to "Plastic Cigarette" like it’s a decade-old classic. It’s wild. Most artists struggle to get people to remember a chorus; Zach gets them to memorize a short story.
He doesn't do things the "Nashville way." No glitz. Just a guy from Oklahoma who served in the Navy and writes songs that feel like a punch to the gut.
The Heavy Hitters: More Than Just "Orange"
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. "Something in the Orange" is a monster. As of mid-2025, it hit 12X Diamond certification. That is a staggering number of people listening to a song about a breakup and a sunset. It spent 143 weeks on the Billboard Streaming Songs chart, which officially broke the record previously held by Post Malone’s "Sunflower."
But the "popular" tag is shifting.
Right now, if you go to a show on the With Heaven On Tour, the energy for "I Remember Everything" is actually higher. Maybe it’s the Kacey Musgraves factor. That song didn't just win a Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance; it became the second song in history to top both the Hot 100 and the Hot Country Songs chart by a male-female duo. The first? Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. That’s the kind of company he’s keeping now.
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- "Pink Skies": This song is basically a masterclass in making people cry. It’s about a family gathering for a funeral, and somehow, it’s become one of his most-streamed tracks ever, sitting at over 670 million streams on Spotify.
- "28": A lonesome fiddle track that feels like it belongs in a pub in Ireland, not just a field in Oologah.
- "Oak Island": This one is my personal favorite. It’s gritty storytelling. It’s got that watery guitar tone and a trumpet part that just builds until the whole thing feels like it's falling apart in the best way possible.
The Songs That Actually Define the Fandom
There’s a massive gap between what’s "popular" on the charts and what’s popular in the parking lot before a show. You can't call yourself a fan if you don't know "Revival." It’s the closer. Every. Single. Time. It’s a ten-minute spiritual experience where he introduces the band and the crowd loses their minds. It only has about 419 million streams—which sounds like a lot until you compare it to "Orange"—but it’s the soul of his career.
Then you’ve got the deep-cut-turned-hit: "Heading South."
He recorded the original video for that in his backyard while he was still active duty. It’s raw. It’s out of tune. It’s exactly why people love him. It’s sitting at 909 million streams now. It’s the "anti-industry" anthem.
Why the 2026 Hits Feel Different
With the release of With Heaven On Top this month, we’re seeing a shift. Tracks like "Bad News" and "Skin" are already charting. "Plastic Cigarette" is the standout, though. It’s got that fast-paced, "American Nights" energy that works so well in a stadium setting.
He’s also leaned heavily into collaborations.
- "Purple Gas" with Noeline Hofmann (he basically used his fame to make her a star, which is a cool move).
- "Sandpaper" featuring Bruce Springsteen (the Boss himself!).
- "Better Days" with John Mayer.
What Most People Get Wrong About Zach’s Music
People think it’s just "sad boy country."
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It’s not.
If you listen to "Nine Ball," it’s a complex look at a father-son relationship through the lens of a pool hall. If you listen to "Oklahoma Smokeshow," it’s a cinematic tragedy about a girl trapped in a small town. These aren't just songs; they’re vignettes.
He writes about the "yuppie" lifestyle vs. humble beginnings. He writes about the "bass boat" and the "out-of-tune guitars." He’s self-aware about his fame, often tweeting (or X-ing, whatever we're calling it this week) about how he doesn't feel like he belongs in the spotlight. That authenticity is his currency.
The Stats Don't Lie
As of January 2026, Zach Bryan has over 25 million monthly listeners on Spotify. He’s the 8th highest-selling country artist of all time. Think about that for a second. He’s been "mainstream" for maybe four years and he's already passing legends who have been around for decades.
In 2025, he earned 58 RIAA certifications in a single day.
| Song / Album | Certification (as of late 2025) |
|---|---|
| Something in the Orange | 12X Diamond |
| Heading South | 5X Platinum |
| I Remember Everything | 5X Platinum |
| Oklahoma Smokeshow | 4X Platinum |
| American Heartbreak (Album) | 3X Platinum |
How to Actually Listen to Zach Bryan
If you're new to this or just trying to get beyond the radio hits, don't just shuffle his Top 5. You'll get a skewed version of what he does.
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Start with the live album All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster. It was recorded at Red Rocks in the snow, and you can hear the breath in his lungs and the grit in the crowd's voice. That’s the real Zach Bryan. Then, go back to DeAnn, the album he named after his late mother. It’s sparse and heartbreaking.
Popular Zach Bryan songs are just the entry point. The real magic is in the 200+ tracks he’s released since 2019. He puts out music at a rate that would make most labels have a heart attack.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on his "With Heaven On Tour" setlists. He’s been opening with "Plastic Cigarette" and "Overtime," but he’s still keeping "God Speed" and "Oklahoma City" in the mix for the long-time fans.
If you want to understand the current state of music, you have to understand why a guy who refuses to do interviews and skips award shows is out-selling everyone else. It’s because he’s honest. And in 2026, honesty is the most popular thing there is.
Go listen to "Oak Island" with a good pair of headphones. Pay attention to the way the trumpet comes in at the end. It tells you everything you need to know about where he’s going next.