by Alex Wilson
Album
Dirt Road Therapy
Year
2025
Genre
Country/Country Pop
Duration
3:38
Description
'Fourth Gear Heartbreak' is a modern country-pop anthem about a man grappling with lost love in the familiar setting of his rural roots. The song blends introspective lyrics with an upbeat tempo, creating a bittersweet atmosphere of heartbreak and resilience. Alex Wilson's signature imagery—tackle boxes, beer cans, and backroads—paints a vivid picture of a man trying to escape his pain but ultimately finding solace in the familiar rhythms of his life.
Lyrics
[Verse 1] Got my tackle box and my old fishing pole Trying to fill up this empty hole She left me sitting on this front porch swing With a cooler full of beer and a diamond ring Truck's been sitting in the drive all week Radio's playing songs that make me weak [Chorus] It's a fourth gear heartbreak, pedal to the floor Can't outrun the memory of what we had before Eighty-eight on the dashboard, tears in my eyes Fourth gear heartbreak, but I can't say goodbye Fourth gear heartbreak, running out of road Fourth gear heartbreak, got nowhere to go [Verse 2] Cast my line out in the morning light Thinking 'bout her hair and how it felt so right Empty beer cans scattered 'round my feet This old porch creaks to a lonesome beat Neighbors probably think I've lost my mind Sitting here trying to leave the past behind [Chorus] It's a fourth gear heartbreak, pedal to the floor Can't outrun the memory of what we had before Eighty-eight on the dashboard, tears in my eyes Fourth gear heartbreak, but I can't say goodbye Fourth gear heartbreak, running out of road Fourth gear heartbreak, got nowhere to go [Bridge] Maybe tomorrow I'll put it in drive Find a new reason to feel alive But tonight I'm stuck in this same old place With her lipstick kiss still on my face This bottle's almost empty, just like my soul Guess that's the price you pay when love takes its toll [Chorus] It's a fourth gear heartbreak, pedal to the floor Can't outrun the memory of what we had before Eighty-eight on the dashboard, tears in my eyes Fourth gear heartbreak, but I can't say goodbye Fourth gear heartbreak, running out of road Fourth gear heartbreak, got nowhere to go [Outro] Fourth gear heartbreak, got nowhere to go Fourth gear heartbreak, oh, oh, oh
Notes
Tempo: Moderate, but with a driving feel, emphasizing the 'fourth gear' metaphor. Instrumentation: Primarily acoustic guitar-driven, with a prominent 808 bass drum and snare to give it a modern edge. Layer in some subtle banjo or mandolin for texture. Add electric guitar riffs during the choruses to build intensity. Harmonies in the chorus are essential for a full sound. Key: G Major or E Major (depending on Alex's vocal range - both would work well with country instrumentation). Bridge: The bridge should be slightly quieter and more introspective, building back up to the final chorus. A steel guitar solo could be a great addition here. Pay close attention to the dynamics to create a contrast between the verses and the chorus. The outro fades out slowly with the 808 pulse and some layered vocal harmonies on 'oh, oh, oh'.