Jeremy Parsons “Who Was I?” arrives like an unexpected phone call from your past self.
The San Antonio-born Americana artist has crafted something remarkably honest here, a track that began as artistic defiance and transformed into profound introspection.
The backstory reads like a perfect setup for creative revenge. When a critic suggested Parsons’ 2021 album “Things To Come” lacked personal insight, the singer-songwriter initially responded with what he calls “tongue-in-cheek” energy.
But somewhere between the first chord and final verse, “Who Was I?” evolved into something far more substantial. The song became a mirror held up to his 25-year-old self, reflecting all the messy uncertainty that comes with early adulthood.
Parsons paints vivid scenes of youthful recklessness with lines like “Sleeping through the days, living for the night / Yeah doing lots of things to see if I could die.” These aren’t throwaway lyrics designed for shock value.
They carry the weight of genuine confession, delivered through his signature warm, weathered vocals that have earned him over 1.5 million Spotify streams and multiple UK iTunes chart positions.
The production maintains that classic Americana restraint, allowing Parsons’ storytelling to breathe. His melodic approach here feels reminiscent of early Steve Earle, though with a distinctly modern Texas sensibility.
The arrangement supports rather than competes with the narrative, creating space for listeners to insert their own memories of questionable decisions and late-night wandering.
What makes this single particularly compelling is its timing within Parsons’ career trajectory. Fresh off his 2024 Country Breakthrough Artist of the Year win at the New Music Awards, he could have easily delivered something safe and radio-friendly.
Instead, he chose vulnerability. The track serves as the lead single from his upcoming EP “Life,” suggesting this level of introspection will define the entire project.
The song’s exploration of identity resonates beyond country music boundaries. Parsons examines the gap between who we were and who we’ve become, a theme that connects with anyone who has looked back at their younger self with a mixture of embarrassment and affection. His approach avoids both nostalgia and regret, instead finding something closer to acceptance.
There’s an interesting parallel here to the confessional poetry movement of the 1960s, where artists like Robert Lowell and Sylvia Plath turned personal pain into universal art. Parsons operates in a similar space, transforming individual experience into collective understanding. The difference lies in his medium and his refusal to wallow in the darkness he describes.
“Who Was I?” establishes emotional groundwork for what promises to be Parsons’ most personal collection yet. Given his recent Billboard success with “The Garden” (which hit #45 on the Digital Songs Sales Chart), expectations are high.
Parsons has built his reputation on authentic performances and magnetic stage presence, qualities that translate effectively to recorded material. His fusion of Americana, country, and subtle electronic elements creates a sound that feels both rooted and contemporary.
This single demonstrates his ability to balance commercial appeal with artistic integrity, a skill that has served him well throughout his rise from San Antonio clubs to international recognition.
The production choices here deserve particular attention. Rather than drowning the vocals in reverb or overwhelming the mix with instrumentation, the team has created something that feels intimate and immediate. You can almost picture Parsons sitting across from you, sharing these stories over coffee rather than performing them on stage.
“Who Was I?” succeeds because it avoids the trap of manufactured authenticity that plagues much of contemporary country music. Parsons doesn’t need to cosplay as someone he’s not because his actual story provides enough material for compelling songwriting. The track feels like a natural progression from his earlier work while pointing toward new creative possibilities.
As the lead single from “Life,” this track sets ambitious expectations for the full EP. If Parsons can maintain this level of emotional honesty across multiple songs, he may have created something special.
The single suggests an artist comfortable enough in his own skin to examine his past without flinching, a quality that separates memorable music from forgettable background noise.
The song leaves you wondering about your own past selves, the decisions that seemed so important at the time, and the strange comfort that comes from surviving your own worst impulses.
Parsons has created a piece of music that functions as both personal catharsis and public art, a combination that defines the best of what Americana music can accomplish.
Sometimes the most powerful response to criticism is simply telling the truth.
