Bailey Zimmerman doesn't just sing songs; he basically lives them out loud in front of a microphone. If you've spent any time on country TikTok or followed the charts over the last few years, you know his voice. It's that gravelly, desperate rasp that sounds like he just finished a pack of cigarettes and a long cry. While "Rock and a Hard Place" might be the one everyone knows, there is something specifically gut-wrenching about the track Bailey Zimmerman Get to Gettin Gone.
It dropped right at the tail end of 2022. December 23, to be exact. Most people were wrapping presents or heading home for the holidays, and Bailey decided to drop a song about leaving everything behind. Talk about a mood shift.
Honestly, the track feels like the bridge between his early viral success and the polished powerhouse he became on Religiously. The Album. It isn't just another breakup song. It is a "get out while you still can" anthem that captures a very specific kind of rural restlessness.
The Story Behind Get to Gettin Gone
The song wasn't just a random throwaway. It was a calculated move.
Bailey wrote this one alongside Greylan James and Jason Massey. If those names sound familiar, it's because they are part of the new guard in Nashville. Greylan James, especially, has been a massive force behind some of the biggest hits lately. They tapped Austin Shawn for production, who is basically the architect of Bailey’s signature sound—that mix of 2000s post-grunge and modern country.
The lyrics are pretty blunt.
"So I’ll get to gettin' gone / Get on my no-look-back, yeah / And like an old song / Fadin' off in the radio static."
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It’s about a couple that had a "good long run" but realized they were "on two different chapters." One wants the picket fence, the other wants the wind. It’s a classic trope, sure. But Bailey makes it feel personal because of that "anywhere-but-here-bound highway" line. He’s lived that. He was working in the gas pipeline industry before TikTok changed his life. He knows what it’s like to be stuck in a town that feels too small for your dreams.
Why the Sound Matters
Musically, the track is a bit of a slow burn. It starts with this atmospheric, almost haunting acoustic vibe and builds into a stadium-sized chorus. You’ve got Tim Galloway on the acoustic and electric guitars, plus some subtle banjo and mandolin work that keeps it grounded in the genre.
But let’s be real. The star is the vocal delivery.
There is a point in the chorus where his voice almost cracks. Some critics—usually the ones on Reddit or old-school forums—complain about the "auto-tune" or the "pop-country" sheen. They say he sounds like a Morgan Wallen clone. I disagree. While the production is definitely slick, the emotion feels raw in a way that’s hard to fake.
Impact on Religiously. The Album.
When Religiously. The Album. finally arrived in May 2023, Bailey Zimmerman Get to Gettin Gone took its place as the 15th track. It sits right near the end of the 16-song journey, acting as a penultimate chapter before the closing track "Is This Really Over?"
This placement is actually pretty smart.
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The album is essentially a concept record about the five stages of grief. You start with the denial and the "Warzone" of a failing relationship, move through the anger and bargaining of "Fall In Love," and by the time you hit "Get to Gettin Gone," you're at acceptance. You’re ready to drive away.
Chart Performance and Streaming
Numbers don't lie, even if you hate the sound.
- On Spotify alone, the track has racked up over 72 million streams.
- It helped Bailey secure the No. 4 spot on Billboard’s Top New Artists of 2022.
- It solidified his status as a "streaming giant" before he even had a full-length record out.
He isn't just a "TikTok singer" anymore. He's someone who can hold a spot on a 16-track album and have the 15th song be just as popular as the lead single. That kind of depth is rare for new artists in the digital age.
What Most People Miss About the Lyrics
There’s a verse in the song that mentions the girl’s mama.
"Your mama took a deep breath, say it's 'bout time you tell / That rollin' stone you're rollin' with / To get to gettin' gone."
This is the "aha!" moment of the song. It’s not just the guy wanting to leave; it’s the external pressure of a small town. It’s the family members who want the "hometown girl" to stay put and marry someone who isn't a "rolling stone."
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It highlights the conflict of the "rambling heart." In country music, we usually celebrate the wanderer. But here, Bailey acknowledges the collateral damage. He knows he’s the "bad influence" in the eyes of the people who stay. It’s a level of self-awareness that sets him apart from the more arrogant "bro-country" acts.
Why It Still Matters in 2026
Fast forward to now. Bailey has released more music, including his 2025 project Different Night Same Rodeo. He’s experimented with 80s-inspired synths and even some bluegrass influences.
Yet, fans keep coming back to Bailey Zimmerman Get to Gettin Gone.
Why? Because it’s the purest version of his "brand." It’s the heartbreak, the gravel, and the highway. It’s the song you play when you’re leaving a job you hate or a town that’s suffocating you. It’s a universal feeling.
How to Experience the Song Fully
If you really want to get what Bailey was doing here, don't just listen to it on your phone speakers.
- Listen in the car. This is a driving song. Period. The "radio static" metaphor only works if you're actually behind a wheel.
- Watch the live versions. There’s some debate about his live vocals—some people on Reddit claim he relies on tracks—but his "Unplugged" or acoustic sessions for this song show off the grit.
- Check the songwriting credits. Look up Greylan James and Jason Massey. If you like the vibe of this track, you’ll find that these guys are responsible for a lot of the "heartbreak country" currently dominating the airwaves.
- Pair it with the album. Don't just listen to the single. Listen to the three tracks leading up to it on Religiously. It changes the context from a simple "leaving song" to an emotional release.
The reality is that Bailey Zimmerman tapped into something very real with this track. It wasn't just a December filler release. It was a statement of intent. He’s the guy who’s going to keep moving, keep rolling, and probably keep breaking a few hearts along the way—all while making sure we feel every bit of it.