Jerrod Niemann, ‘Donkey [Listen]
Jerrod Niemann's new song 'Donkey' hits on all the reasons fans love the party-loving, country rocker. The laugh-out-loud track from Niemann's 'High Noon' album comes complete with heavy guitar hooks and lyrics full of sly innuendoes ... not to mention a healthy dose of donkey brays to fill out the chorus.
'Donkey' is the second single off Niemann's new studio album and it's more down-home than the auto-tune-heavy 'Drink to That All Night.' This is the song that could get you up and dancing at any of the best country bars -- and Niemann knows it.
"Gonna ride that donkey, donkey / down to the honky tonky / it's gonna get funky funky," he sings in the chorus amidst hilarious "hee-haws" from his bandmates. (Kudos to them, by the way. Not many serious musicians would be game to sound like a farm animal for their art.)
The verses evoke images of a down-on-his-luck cowboy trying to figure out a way to make it to the bar despite a broken-down vehicle and empty bank account. Which is where the donkey comes in:
"George Jones took a John Deere tractor / Hope my donkey gets there faster / When I pull up in no pickup truck / Jocks break out in laughter / But the ladies think its cool that I kick it with a mule."
It's a sentiment that lots of people can relate to. When life gets you down, sometimes you just need a good stiff drink with your buddies at the bar. And it's precisely why Niemann has remained a hitmaker throughout his career. His songs may not be the most earth-shattering heartbreakers, but they sure are fun.
Why Fans Will Love It: 'Donkey' is a modern honky tonk tune that is ready-made for nights of drinking and dancing.
Key Lyrics: "Gonna ride that donkey, donkey / down to the honky tonky / it's gonna get funky funky / hee-haw, hee-haw"
Did You Know?: Niemann almost passed on 'Donkey' when he first heard it but ultimately couldn't resist. "I listened to it three or four times and thought, ‘If I don’t record this, somebody’s going to,’" says the 'High Noon' singer. "And if anybody was really gonna ride a donkey to a bar, I feel like I would be the one to get that vote!”
Listen to Jerrod Niemann, 'Donkey'