Heavy Is the Head

Album: Jekyll + Hyde (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song features Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell. It's not the first time that Zac Brown and his colleagues have collaborated with an artist associated with the Seattle rock scene. In 2013 they released an EP, The Grohl Sessions, Vol. 1, which was produced by Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl (formerly of Nirvana). Brown is upfront about his rock influences. "The great stories live around country and folk music," he said. "I think the challenge is just taking that same lyric and story that's in that song and wrapping in something that's gonna move all those people the same way that those rock songs do. It's always a challenge to try to make 'em better and figure out that puzzle."
  • The Zac Brown Band premiered the song during their March 7, 2015 appearance on Saturday Night Live. Chris Cornell joined the group on the SNL stage for the performance.
  • This was used as the theme song for the 2015 Major League Baseball season.
  • The song topped the Mainstream Rock chart, giving Zac Brown Band their first #1 on a non-country music tally. They became only the second act after Bon Jovi to reach the summit of both Billboard's Mainstream Rock and Country Airplay lists.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Boy Bands

Boy BandsFact or Fiction

From NKOTB to 1D, how well do you know your boy bands?

U2

U2Fact or Fiction

How did The Edge get his name? Did they name a song after a Tolkien book? And who is "Angel of Harlem" about?

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-Nighters

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-NightersSong Writing

These Three famous songs actually describe how they were written - late into the evening.