Zach Top is bringing real country music back, and he’s doing it in the most down-home way possible—kicked back on an old riding lawnmower, strumming his guitar, and sipping a cold Coors Light. If that ain’t country, what is?
His cover of George Jones’ “Finally Friday” is making waves across social media, and for good reason. Originally released in 1992, the song is a working man’s anthem—an ode to the weekend that George Jones delivered with his signature twang. But somehow, Zach Top makes it feel just as fresh today as it did three decades ago.
A Tribute to Tradition, Lawn Mower and All
The video posted on TikTok on June 3, 2023, starts with Zach Top leaning back on an old Husqvarna mower, a case of Coors Light at his feet, and one cold one in the cup holder. Then he starts strumming, and the second he sings that first line—“I got a hundred dollars smokin’ in my billfold”—you know he’s the real deal.
Fans immediately flooded the comments, calling him a time traveler from the golden era of country. One person wrote, “He’s the absolute love child of George, Alan, and ’90s country.” Another joked, “I love how he’s on a lawnmower for this.”
George Jones himself probably would’ve cracked a smile at the setup. The Possum was no stranger to lawnmower stories—after all, this is the same man who once rode one to a liquor store when his wife hid the car keys. So, seeing Zach Top belt out his song from a mower? That just feels right.
For You
But beyond the beer and backyard vibes, Zach’s voice makes the cover stand out. He’s got that pure country sound—a little bit of Keith Whitley’s smoothness, a dash of Alan Jackson’s effortless delivery, and a lot of honky-tonk heart.
Zach Top’s Love for Country’s Legends Runs Deep
This isn’t the first time Zach Top has paid tribute to a country legend. He’s covered Willie Nelson’s “Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning,” capturing the song’s raw emotion, and put his own spin on Keith Whitley’s “Nobody in His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her,” proving he understands traditional country storytelling. He’s also taken on George Strait’s “I Can Still Make Cheyenne,” delivering it with the kind of sincerity that made Strait a legend in the first place. And long before any of these covers, Zach’s first YouTube video was a version of Tom T. Hall’s “That’s How I Got to Memphis,” a deep cut showing his appreciation for the country’s rich history.
He brings something special to the song each time—staying true to the classic sound while adding his own style. But there’s something about his George Jones cover that hits differently. Maybe it’s the setting, the song choice, or perhaps it’s just the fact that Zach Top understands what real country music is all about.
Fans are already begging for a full album of ’90s country covers, and honestly, that wouldn’t be a bad idea. If there’s anyone who could pull it off, it’s Zach Top.
For now, though, we’ll keep hitting replay on that lawnmower session because sometimes, all you need is a little George Jones, a cold beer, and a song that reminds you why you love country music in the first place.
