Religiously

Album: Religiously. The Album. (2023)
Charted: 13
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Religiously" delves into the shadows of love's dark side. With heartfelt emotion, Bailey Zimmerman mourns the mistakes that led to the devastating loss of the one person who truly believed in him.

    And now I'm in this cold bright light
    And this don't even feel like life
    'Cause I don't have the only woman who believed in me
    Religiously.


    The absence of his beloved leaves a void, reminding him of the significance she held in his life - unwavering in her support and belief.
  • Amidst the glitz and glamour, Zimmerman recognizes the hollowness of fame without the one who once held his heart.

    Lately life's been good to me
    Mama's healthy and I'm helpin' out the whole family
    Lotta people know my name, I made a little change
    But that don't mean nothin'


    Despite the trappings of success, he reveals that true fulfillment eludes him without his former sweetheart.
  • Zimmerman wrote "Religiously" in 2021 with Frank Romano and Marty James. The Louisville, Illinois-born artist recorded it without a clear direction in mind. Holding onto the track like a precious secret, he stowed it away in his bag, waiting for the right moment to reveal its true meaning.

    As time passed, the song unraveled its significance. It became a poignant reflection of a small-town heartbreak - a painful experience that required courage to confront.

    "It was like I wanted to run from it all the time," Zimmerman told Rolling Stone. "Even to this day, it reminds me of hitting that heartbreak head on and getting over it. That's what 'Religiously' means to me, trying to get over something and not run from it anymore."
  • Zimmerman's regular producer, Austin Shawn, mastered, mixed, engineered the track. Shawn also co-produced the song with Joe Bruyere.
  • Shawn played the drums and bass and sang background vocals. Bruyere played the dobro. The other musicians are:

    Tim Galloway: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo, bouzouki
    Jenee Fleenor: fiddle
    Dave Cohen: organ, keyboards
  • "Religiously" is the title track of Bailey Zimmerman's debut album. The singer co-wrote 11 of the 16 songs on the record.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.