You Don't Want That Smoke

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

Songfacts®:

  • "You Don't Want That Smoke" ignites with introspection, weaving vivid imagery into a soulful ballad. Bailey Zimmerman compares a captivating love interest to a blazing fire that can scorch anyone who ventures too close. This person, he warns, will passionately embrace you until the very last puff, only to leave you smoldering in the ashes of heartbreak.
  • Jimi Bell and Tucker Beathard penned the song and texted it to Zimmerman. When the Illinois-born artist received the message, he didn't recognize the number.

    "They had never texted me," he told Apple Music. "And it was just a song. I clicked on it one day right before [I took a] shower and put it on. I went to go get in the shower and then I stopped. I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, what is this?' The chair's scooting up before he starts the guitar on the demo. The demo is awesome."
  • Recognizing its raw potential, Zimmerman made sure the demo received the utmost care and attention it deserved. When the time came to record Religiously The Album, he went to great lengths to capture the essence of the track and do it justice. "It took me a whole day and whole night to cut that song, just getting the texture right, because it's such a quiet song," Zimmerman said. "I just cut it and cut it and cut it."
  • "You Don't Want That Smoke" is one of four outside cuts that Bailey Zimmerman included on Religiously. The Album..

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Bible Lyrics

Bible LyricsMusic Quiz

Rockers, rappers and pop stars have been known to quote the Bible in their songs. See if you match the artist to the biblical lyric.

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal Tap

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal TapSong Writing

Based on criteria like girlfriend tension, stage mishaps and drummer turnover, these are the 10 bands most like Spinal Tap.

Is That Song Public Domain?

Is That Song Public Domain?Fact or Fiction

Are classic songs like "Over The Rainbow" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the public domain?

Peter Lord

Peter LordSongwriter Interviews

You may not recognize his name, but you will certainly recognize Peter Lord's songs. He wrote the bevy of hits from Paula Abdul's second album, Spellbound.

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?Song Writing

A big list of musical marriages and family relations ranging from the simple to the truly dysfunctional.