Songwriters: Barry Dean, Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird
We can try to hide from it all we want, but the cycle is already well-established. Each year, country stars throw a barrage of brainless summer songs at country radio to see if they stick, and as much as one might wish to deny it, this year’s crop is just now beginning to roll out. The only questions that remains is to see how insufferable they will be this year.
Despite having released a string of excellent singles over the past two years, Little Big Town still hasn’t seen the Top 10 of the country hit parade since 2010′s “Little White Church.” For them to return with a summer song that comes across as an obvious nod to radio, it smacks somewhat of desperation, and even feels a little bit like a cop-out – which is disappointing, particularly for an act that is usually much more consistently interesting
“Pontoon” is a lazy little summertime ditty that gets lazy in the wrong ways, particularly with regard to lazy songwriting. The song has a bland and monotonous melody with no real hook to speak of, and has little to say except to reaffirm that pontoons do, in fact, exist. The sitar-driven musical arrangement is interesting, and different from most of what we hear on country radio, but it is an ill fit for the relaxed mood that the song attempts to create.
Unfortunately, the song itself is just so shoddily constructed that it’s both unremarkable and instantly forgettable. All we’re really left with is a cool, off-beat production in need of a song to call home.
collinwoodard
April 27, 2012 at 8:13 PM
I originally read the title as, “Poontown” and assumed that Jason Aldean had reached a new low.
mickey
May 8, 2012 at 4:02 AM
I totally disagree with this review. “Pontoon” has a great groove, fun lyrics and killer production. The song has swagger. I won’t be forgetting it anytime soon. It’s a 10.
Sandy
May 23, 2012 at 11:28 PM
Pontoon is a catchy song that once you hear it, it sticks in your head, love it!!10 for sure!!!!
treedy
June 20, 2012 at 1:46 AM
Me and all my friends are obsessed with this song. I love it so much and it really gets stuck in your head. It’s my ring tone and ringback tone on my phone! You got this one wrong in my opinion!
Lori
July 2, 2012 at 10:46 PM
Seriously? Are we listening to the same song, Pontoon? It’s unforgettable. No hook? Why do I keep singing it after I hear it? Why do I keep hearing it on the radio and the Countdown? That says something to the contrary right there. By the way, I believe you got a little lazy on your article with the spelling of one of the song writers name.
Ben Foster
July 3, 2012 at 3:29 AM
Why do I keep hearing it on the radio and the Countdown? That says something to the contrary right there.
You might note that I did call the song “an obvious nod to radio,” in which case it would certainly come as no surprise to me that radio is indeed playing it.
I appreciate having spelling errors brough to my attention – particularly when readers do so politely – and I have fixed the misspelling which you highlighted.
Lori
July 4, 2012 at 3:56 PM
No prob Ben!