Plastic Cigarette Lyrics – Zach Bryan

Plastic Cigarette Lyrics Meaning

[Verse 1]
In this part, he’s talking about how he hasn’t written love songs in a long time, but seeing this person inspires him to try anyway, even if it might lead to regret. He notices the little, intimate details—the way she moves, touches, and fits into the world around them. He also paints a picture of his life at the time, friends living carelessly, getting high along the streets. It shows a mix of longing and nostalgia, how he’s pulled between observing her and being caught up in his own chaotic surroundings, feeling both connected and distant.

[Verse 2]
Here, he’s remembering a specific moment in the past, thinking about promises and warnings they gave each other. He recalls the concern of her family, especially about his risky habits and ideas about dying young. There’s also a glimpse into their childhood, with chaos at home and absent fathers, which shaped who they became. It’s a reflection on youth, mistakes, and worry, showing how their experiences together were influenced by family struggles and the reckless energy of growing up in a world where responsibility often felt far away.

[Chorus]
The chorus shows a mix of love and frustration. He sees her by the river, calm and carefree, smoking a plastic cigarette, which is symbolic of something fake or safe compared to the real world. He notices small details, like her wet swim top, and contrasts it with her dislike for real smoke. Despite this, she keeps him close emotionally. It captures longing, confusion, and the bittersweet tension of wanting to be near someone while knowing you can’t fully have them or fit into their world.

[Verse 3]
In this part, he reflects on their time together in a peaceful setting, like collecting shells on the beach, while remembering how he once felt empty or vulnerable. There’s tension from advice given by his brother and the realization that not everyone he met had good intentions. It shows how experiences with people in different places, like Queens, brought lessons about trust and danger. The verse mixes innocence and caution, highlighting the contrast between simple, joyful moments with her and the harder, more complicated parts of life and relationships.

[Verse 4]
This verse captures a lonely, reflective moment. The rain in Byron Bay triggers feelings of isolation, prompting him to retreat and write a poem. It’s a quiet, personal act, showing his emotional depth and longing, while also acknowledging that the person he’s thinking about will never read it. It’s about private feelings, sadness, and the small ways we cope with being alone.

[Chorus]
The chorus repeats the mix of closeness and distance between them. He notices her smoking a plastic cigarette again, wet from being in the water, showing small details that stay in his memory. He’s aware of her aversion to real smoke, yet she still keeps him emotionally near. It reflects longing, confusion, and the tension of wanting to hold on while knowing he might need to let go, highlighting the bittersweet and complicated nature of their connection.

[Outro]
The outro repeats the river scene, emphasizing the image of her with the plastic cigarette and wet swim top. It’s a lingering memory, showing how certain small, intimate moments stick in his mind and continue to affect him emotionally, even as he tries to let go.