Stick Season

Lyrics Meaning of Stick Season by Noah Kahan

A "bout of insecurity" inspired Kahan to pen a verse for the song, which she then posted to TikTok in 2022. It soon gained popularity, which encouraged him to complete the song's writing, which "ended up taking a long time". Although Kahan was worried about whether a song "specifically about his home state of Vermont" would resonate with non-Vermontans, reactions to the finished song were overwhelmingly positive.

The phrase "fall" in New England, which describes the time after Halloween before winter snowfall arrives, is referenced in the song's title. Kahan described this period as "a time of transition" and "extremely depressing," saying that "it just means that winter is coming soon and it creates a lot of anxiety" and that "nobody really likes it."

Kahan co-produced the song with Gabe Simon after writing the lyrics.

Despite being only moderately successful in the US when it was first released, the song gained international attention after going viral on TikTok in the middle of 2023. It peaked at number one in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the Flanders region of Belgium. It also charted in the top 10 in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, as well as the top 20 in the US.

Stick Season lyrics by Noah Kahan

As you promised me that I was more than all the miles combined

You must have had yourself a change of heart like halfway through the drive

Because your voice trailed off exactly as you passed my exit sign

Kept on driving straight and left our future to the right

Now I am stuck between my anger and the blame that I can't face

And memories are something even smoking weed does not replace

And I am terrified of weather 'cause I see you when it rains

And doc told me to travel but there's COVID on the planes

And I, love Vermont, but it's the season of the sticks

And I, saw your mom, she forgot that I existed

And it's, half my fault but I just like to play the victim

I'll drink alcohol 'til my friends come home for Christmas

And I'll, dream each night of some version of you

That I, might not have but I did not lose

Now you're tire tracks and one pair of shoes

And I'm split in half but that'll have to do

So I thought that if I piled something good on all my bad

That I could cancel out the darkness I inherited from dad

No and I'm no longer funny but I miss the way you laugh

You once called me forever now you still can't call me back

And I, love Vermont, but it's the season of the sticks

And I, saw your mom, she forgot that I existed

And it's half my fault but I just like to play the victim

I'll drink alcohol 'til my friends come home for Christmas

And I'll, dream each night of some version of you

That I, might not have but I did not lose

Now you're tire tracks and one pair of shoes

And I'm split in half but that'll have to do

Oh that'll have to do

My other half was you

I hope this pain's just passing through

But I doubt it

And I, love Vermont, but it's the season of the sticks

And I, saw your mom, she forgot that I existed

And it's half my fault but I just like to play the victim

I'll drink alcohol 'til my friends come home for Christmas

And I'll, dream each night of some version of you

That I, might not have but I did not lose

Now you're tire tracks and one pair of shoes

And I'm split in half but that'll have to do

Have to do