Brantley Gilbert, ‘The Weekend’ [Listen]
Brantley Gilbert is getting his fans ready for a big blowout with his latest single, "The Weekend."
Gilbert was one of the architects of the style that came to be known as "bro-country," writing songs like "My Kinda Party" and "Kick It in the Sticks." Those kinds of party tracks, exploring themes of trucks, pretty girls and partying in rural settings, helped pave the way for the success of some of the biggest acts in county music, and while Gilbert has departed from that formula for many subsequent releases, he's right back in that wheelhouse with "The Weekend."
Musically, the track juxtaposes a dance-y beat with electronic handclaps, a banjo and heavy guitars for a prototypical party anthem that's ready made for exactly what Gilbert intended: to blast full-volume in the truck while partying with your friends, exactly as the lyrics describe.
"Live it up for the weekend / Pull it up, have the time of your life / Take a shot for the regrets / Double up and it's bound to get double wild," he sings in the chorus.
The track is topped off by a big, loud, flashy guitar solo that wouldn't be out of place on a classic '80s metal song. Add Gilbert's signature voice and you've got a song that's custom-made for a summer release, and a perfect addition to Gilbert's ultra-energetic live shows.
Did You Know? Gilbert wrote "The Weekend" over the phone with Andrew DeRoberts, but has still not met him in person.
Listen to Brantley Gilbert, "The Weekend"
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Brantley Gilbert, "The Weekend" Lyrics:
"Tick tock, I'm on the clock / And I'm feeling like this job's just 9 to 5-ing my life away / It's like I'm back in school and I'm in the last class / And I'm passing time until the bell rang / Having visions of summertime / But wait a minute, this is later tonight / Trying to make some tailgatin' song up in the moonlight / And by the way, it's payday."
Chorus:
"Live it up for the weekend / Pull it up, have the time of your life / Take a shot for the regrets / Double up and it's bound to get double wild / Hey ladies let your hair down / We know ain't nobody scared now, hell nah / Do your thing like it's spring break / Wake and bake and we at it again / Live it up for the weekend."
"Backwoods lookin' like Panama City / Bunch of jacked-up trucks and bikinis / Got a Yeti full of good ideas / Ain't worried about driving, gonna stay right here."
Repeat Chorus
"Somebody said something 'bout church on Sunday, Amen / Somebody said somethin' 'bout work on Monday / Don't say it again."