Zach Bryan Pulls Song Featuring John Moreland After Perceived Slight, Addresses Breakup Backlash

Zach Bryan, the artist behind the hit song "Something in the Orange," is embroiled in yet another controversy, this time involving fellow singer-songwriter John Moreland and the removal of their collaborative track "Memphis; The Blues" from his latest album, "The Great American Bar Scene." The move comes after Bryan perceived a critical comment from Moreland regarding Bryan’s recent lucrative deals with Warner Records. This incident adds to a string of public controversies for Bryan, including backlash over his recent breakup and a past drunken comment about Taylor Swift.

The initial spark ignited when John Moreland, known for his own brand of emotionally raw and introspective songwriting, posted a seemingly pointed message on his Instagram story. " $350 M is a lot to pay for the f—in off-brand version of me," Moreland wrote, adding a casual "Yall have a great day." While not explicitly naming Bryan, the timing and context led many to interpret the statement as a direct jab at the "Something in the Orange" singer, particularly in light of Variety’s recent report detailing Bryan’s new record deal and the potential sale of his publishing catalog, collectively valued at a staggering $350 million.

Bryan, known for his direct and sometimes unfiltered approach to social media, took exception to Moreland’s comment. He shared a screenshot of Moreland’s Instagram story on his own account, expressing his disappointment and announcing his decision to remove "Memphis; The Blues," a duet he recorded with Moreland for his 2024 album.

"Yooo just saw this from an artist Ive always respected and supported," Bryan wrote. "Not trying to be dramatic but refuse to have anyone with a problem with me on my records. Replacing Memphis the Blues. If it goes down for a bit just know this is the reason! No hard feelings! Confused as s—, Tulsans look out for Tulsans!"

Bryan’s reaction highlights his strong sense of loyalty and his commitment to surrounding himself with supportive collaborators. His statement also reveals a degree of bewilderment, suggesting he was genuinely surprised and hurt by Moreland’s perceived criticism, especially considering their prior professional relationship and the collaborative nature of "Memphis; The Blues."

In a subsequent post, Bryan stated that he would not be engaging in further back-and-forth on the matter, dismissing the situation as "arguing with butt hurt grown men." He also reassured fans that the removal of "Memphis; The Blues" was temporary, promising to re-release the song at a later date. "Gonna re-release it btw!!!" he wrote. "All is well!! All is well."

As of now, "Memphis; The Blues" is unavailable on popular streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. Moreland has not yet publicly responded to Bryan’s actions or offered clarification on his initial Instagram story.

This incident is not the first time Bryan’s social media activity has landed him in hot water. Last year, he deactivated his X account after posting a controversial tweet that referenced Taylor Swift and Kanye West. The tweet, which read, "Eagles > chiefs, Kanye > Taylor, whos with me," was quickly deleted, but not before it sparked outrage among Swift’s fans.

Bryan later addressed the incident in a series of Instagram story posts, apologizing for his remarks and explaining that he had been drinking at the time. "For the record guys I wasn’t coming for Taylor the other night," Bryan wrote on top of a screengrab of Swift’s song with Post Malone, "Fortnight," on Instagram. "I was drunkenly comparing two records and it came out wrong. I know there’s a lot of stuff that clouds around Ye and I was speaking purely musically. I love Taylor’s music and pray you guys know I’m human and tweet stupid things often."

Bryan also acknowledged the ongoing feud between Swift and West and expressed his regret for involving Swift in his drunken commentary. He further apologized to Swift’s fans and explained his decision to deactivate his X account. "Twitter gets me in trouble too much and I’d say it’s best I stay off it," he wrote. "I’m sorry to any Taylor fans I pissed off or let down. Love you guys and I’m trying my best!"

Beyond these social media incidents, Bryan has also faced criticism and scrutiny regarding his personal life, particularly his recent breakup. While the details of the breakup remain private, the public nature of his relationship and the subsequent media attention have led to a wave of online commentary and speculation, adding to the pressure he faces as a rising star.

The latest controversy surrounding John Moreland and the removal of "Memphis; The Blues" underscores the challenges Bryan faces in navigating the complexities of fame and maintaining his artistic integrity in the face of public scrutiny. His willingness to address the situation directly, while also setting boundaries and attempting to de-escalate the conflict, reveals a complex and evolving approach to handling public criticism.

As Zach Bryan continues to navigate his career, his fans and the wider music community will be watching closely to see how he learns from these experiences and continues to evolve as an artist and a public figure. The incident with John Moreland, while seemingly minor in the grand scheme of his career, provides a glimpse into the pressures and challenges faced by artists who are rapidly rising to fame and fortune. Whether this ultimately helps to shape Bryan into a more mature and self-aware musician is something only time will tell.