Boys of Faith (song)
{{Short description|2023 song by Zach Bryan featuring Bon Iver}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Boys of Faith
| type = song
| artist = Zach Bryan featuring Bon Iver
| album =
| EP = Boys of Faith
| released = September 22, 2023
| recorded =
| genre = * Country
| length = 2:51
| label = * Warner
- Belting Bronco
| writer = * Zach Bryan
| producer = self-produced
| misc =
}}
"Boys of Faith" is a song by American country music singer Zach Bryan—released on September 22, 2023, as the third track from his third extended play of the same name. The song features vocals from American indie folk band Bon Iver, who wrote the song alongside Bryan. Produced by Bryan himself and receiving acclaim from music critics,{{Citation |title=Zach Bryan (Ft. Bon Iver) – Boys of Faith |url=https://genius.com/Zach-bryan-boys-of-faith-lyrics |access-date=2024-12-14}} the song debuted and peaked at number 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100.{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=2023-10-04 |title=Zach Bryan Takes Top 3 Spots on Americana/Folk Albums Chart as 'Boys of Faith' Debuts |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/zach-bryan-top-three-americana-folk-albums-chart/ |access-date=2024-12-14 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}
Composition
"Boys of Faith" is a country, country folk, indie folk, and soft rock song (or simply a melancholic song) with a tempo of 200 BPM.{{Cite web |title=BPM and key for Boys Of Faith (feat. Bon Iver) by Zach Bryan {{!}} Tempo for Boys Of Faith (feat. Bon Iver) |url=https://songbpm.com/@zach-bryan/boys-of-faith-feat--bon-iver-iKE5YXwXdW |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=SongBPM |language=en}} "Boys of Faith" has a running time of two minutes and fifty-one seconds with a C♯/D♭ key and a major mode. The song has a time signature of four beats per bar.{{Cite web |last=Bryan |first=Zach |date=December 14, 2024 |title=Tunebat |url=https://tunebat.com/Info/Boys-Of-Faith-feat-Bon-Iver-Zach-Bryan-Bon-Iver/4Zj2uX6ApCFK9XzjwIhCIr |access-date=December 14, 2024 |website=Tunebat}}
Critical reception
Maxim Mower of Holler noted that based on the EPs track listing, "that Zach is exploring a more folk-inspired sound compared to his self-titled album and his earlier material." In the same review, Mower noted "the title track ["Boys of Faith"] epitomizes this [what was previously noted], while Zach Bryan immersing himself in the ethereal world of Bon Iver." Mower also later noted in the review that "‘Boys Of Faith’ coasts across an unstoppable wave of nostalgia, with Zach Bryan beginning by outlining how he's been spending time with a group of his old friends."{{Cite web |title='Boys Of Faith' by Zach Bryan & Bon Iver - Lyrics & Meaning {{!}} Holler |url=https://holler.country/news/general/boys-of-faith-by-zach-bryan-and-bon-iver-lyrics-and-meaning/ |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=holler.country |language=en}}
Maddie Kane of Wildcats Wired ranked all five tracks from the EP Boys of Faith, ranking "Boys of Faith" a 7 out of 10, Kane later stated in the review: "’Boys of Faith’ is about reuniting with old friends and reminiscing about the memories shared. The song expresses many emotions including frustration about how slow- paced life is, and disappointment in current circumstances." Later in the same review Kane said, "A sense of lost hope and goals unfulfilled can be assumed based on the lyrics in the song. This song ["Boys of Faith"] is very catchy and has a great tune."{{Cite web |last=Kane |first=Maddie |title=Zach Bryan Boys of Faith Review |url=https://wildcatswired.net/1406/opinion/zach-bryan-boys-of-faith-review/ |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=Wildcats Wired}}
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "Boys of Faith" ! scope="col"| Chart (2023) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{single chart|Canada|24|artist=Zach Bryan|rowheader=true|access-date=September 23, 2024|song=Boys of Faith|refname=https://www.billboard.com/artist/zach-bryan/chart-history/hsi/24}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardglobal200|5|artist=Zach Bryan|rowheader=true|access-date=September 23, 2023|song=Boys of Faith|refname=https://www.billboard.com/artist/zach-bryan/chart-history/hsi/5}} |
| scope="row"| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2023-03-10|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=March 13, 2023|access-date=September 9, 2023}}
| 7 |
|---|
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|26|artist=Zach Bryan|rowheader=true|access-date=September 22, 2023|song=Boys of Faith|refname=https://www.billboard.com/artist/zach-bryan/chart-history/hsi/26}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardcountrysongs|9|artist=Zach Bryan|rowheader=true|access-date=September 23, 2023|song=Boys of Faith|refname=https://www.billboard.com/artist/zach-bryan/chart-history/hsi/9}} |
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Boys of Faith"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Zach Bryan|title=Boys of Faith|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2025|access-date=January 16, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Zach Bryan}}{{Bon Iver}}