If you’ve spent any time on country radio lately or scrolled through a "90s country aesthetic" playlist, you’ve likely bumped into a guy named Zach Top. He looks like he stepped straight out of a 1994 Wrangler commercial. More importantly, he sounds like it. But while "Sounds Like the Radio" gave him the initial momentum, it’s a specific, slower track that’s actually making people stop and listen. I'm talking about Zach Top Use Me, a song he’s affectionately (and jokingly) called a "cheatin' waltz" for the modern age.
It's a risky move. Releasing a song about infidelity in a market that usually prefers "bro-country" anthems or "boyfriend country" ballads is bold. Honestly, it’s the kind of song that George Strait or Keith Whitley would have fought over thirty years ago.
The Raw Story Behind Zach Top Use Me
Most songs these days try to be relatable by being overly polite. Zach Top Use Me goes the opposite direction. It’s gritty. It’s a neotraditional country ballad that tells the story of two lonely people meeting in a bar and deciding, quite consciously, to lie to each other for a night.
The lyrics don't hide the truth. One line literally says, "Don't ask for my number, and I won't ask for yours." It’s a song about two people who have someone waiting at home but choose to pretend—just for a few hours—that they’ve found the love of their lives. Top co-wrote this with Carson Chamberlain and Tim Nichols, two heavy hitters in Nashville who know exactly how to pull at those specific, uncomfortable heartstrings.
Chamberlain, who also produced the track, helped Top lean into that 3/4 time signature that defines a classic waltz. In an era where everything is quantized and snapped to a grid, hearing a song that breathes like this is a breath of fresh air.
Why the "Cheatin' Waltz" Works Now
You might wonder why a song about cheating is a hit in 2025. It’s not because people are suddenly more immoral. It’s because the song feels real. Zach Top himself was a bit nervous about it. He told American Songwriter that he wasn’t sure how fans would take it because it’s not "fashionable."
But here’s the thing: since its release as part of the Cold Beer & Country Music album in early 2024, it became one of his fastest-growing tracks on streaming platforms. It turns out that country fans were hungry for something that wasn’t sanitized. They wanted the "raw and real" stuff Top was talking about.
Breaking Down the Performance at the ACMs
If you missed the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2025, you missed the moment Zach Top truly arrived. He walked onto that stage as the New Male Artist of the Year and didn’t bring a massive light show or a troupe of dancers. He brought his guitar.
He performed Zach Top Use Me in an "in-the-round" style setup. It was just him, the spotlight, and that classic, slightly nasal baritone that has critics comparing him to Alan Jackson.
- Vibe: Stripped down and intimate.
- Skill: He showed off the guitar chops he developed during his years on the bluegrass circuit.
- Impact: It proved that his "90s sound" isn't a gimmick—it's just who he is.
Some folks on Reddit and social media have debated whether his accent is "real" since he's from Washington state, not the deep South. But if you watch him play, the authenticity of the musicianship is hard to argue with. He grew up on a ranch, played bluegrass in a family band for a decade, and has put in the work in Nashville since 2019.
What Makes the Sound Different?
The production on the track is a masterclass in "less is more." You’ve got Brent Mason on electric guitar—the same guy who played on half the hits you loved in the 90s. Then you have Scotty Sanders on the pedal steel, providing that crying, mournful sound that defines a good heartbreak song.
The recording took place at Backstage and Sound Stage in Nashville. They didn't over-process the vocals. You can hear the grit. You can hear the hesitation in the "characters" of the song. It’s a narrative-driven piece of music, which is something country has been missing lately.
What Most People Get Wrong About Zach Top
There’s a common misconception that Zach Top is just a "throwback" act. People see the mustache and the starched shirts and think it's a costume. But Zach Top Use Me proves he’s not just mimicking the past; he’s continuing a lineage.
Music moves in cycles. We’ve had the "Urban Cowboy" era, the "Bro-Country" era, and now we’re seeing a massive swing back toward traditionalism. Top isn't just "reimagining" the 90s; he's writing songs that could have existed in any decade.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Musicians
If you’re a fan of this sound or an aspiring songwriter looking at Top’s success, there are a few things to take away from the rise of Zach Top Use Me:
- Lean into the Niche: Don't be afraid of "unfashionable" genres like a waltz. If the emotion is there, the audience will find it.
- Focus on the Craft: Top spent years writing hundreds of songs with Carson Chamberlain before ever putting out this album. Success wasn't overnight; it was built on a catalog of work.
- Live Performance Matters: The reason "Use Me" soared after the ACMs is that Top can actually play and sing. In a world of backing tracks, being a "triple threat" (writer, singer, player) is your biggest competitive advantage.
- Find Your Collaborators: The chemistry between Top, Chamberlain, and Nichols is clear. Finding a "musical family" that understands your vision is better than chasing the hottest producer of the week.
Check out the rest of the Cold Beer & Country Music album if you haven't yet. Tracks like "I Never Lie" and "Dirt Turns to Gold" fill out the story of an artist who knows exactly who he is and isn't interested in changing for the charts. He's bringing the "High Lonesome" sound back to the mainstream, and based on the streaming numbers, the mainstream is more than ready for it.
