Heading South (song)

"Heading South"
Single by Zach Bryan
from the album Elisabeth
ReleasedSeptember 30, 2019 (2019-09-30)
GenreAlternative country
Length3:30
LabelWarner
Songwriter(s)Zach Bryan
Producer(s)Leo Alba
Zach Bryan singles chronology
"Heading South"
(2019) 		"Oklahoma City"
(2020)
Music video
"Heading South" on YouTube

"Heading South" is a song by American singer-songwriter Zach Bryan. It was released on September 30, 2019, as a single from his second studio album Elisabeth, which was released on May 8, 2020. The song was written by Bryan, and produced by Leo Alba.[1]

Content

The song was originally released in 2019, but in 2020, it garnered attention on the Internet, gaining over 30 million plays on Spotify.[2] Bryan stated that he recorded the song behind his barracks when he served in the United States Navy.[3]

Music video

The music video was shot in his Navy barracks on his phone.[4] As of September 2024, the video has received over 30 million views.

Commercial performance

It reached number 27 on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart dated March 13, 2021, becoming Bryan's first entry.[5] On November 4, 2021, the song obtained RIAA Gold certification.[6]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Heading South"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[11] 2× Platinum 140,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[12] 6× Platinum 480,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[13] 2× Platinum 60,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[14] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[15] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "Heading South – Zach Bryan". Retrieved December 10, 2021 – via Spotify.
  2. ^ Leimkuehler, Matthew (April 9, 2021). "Fast-rising country artist Zach Bryan makes his Opry debut this weekend". Tennessean. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  3. ^ Douris, Raina (June 17, 2021). "Zach Bryan On How Music Helped Him Stay Sane While Deployed". NPR. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  4. ^ Jae Leiber, Sarah (November 27, 2020). "Zach Bryan Debuts New EP 'Quiet, Heavy Dreams'". Broadway World. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  5. ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of March 13, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  6. ^ Cox, Brady (November 5, 2021). "Zach Bryan's "Heading South" Is Officially Gold-Certified". Whiskey Riff. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  7. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  8. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 46" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  9. ^ "Zach Bryan Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  10. ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  11. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  12. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Zach Bryan – Heading South". Music Canada. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  13. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Zach Bryan – Heading South". Radioscope. Retrieved January 5, 2025. Type Heading South in the "Search:" field.
  14. ^ "British single certifications – Zach Bryan – Heading South". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  15. ^ "American single certifications – Zach Bryan – Heading South". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 13, 2023.