Have you ever misheard lyrics and stumbled upon a brilliant idea? That’s almost exactly how Little Big Town’s chart-topping hit, “Pontoon,” came to life. This beloved country anthem, often heard echoing across lakes and summer gatherings, has a surprisingly quirky origin story. Co-writers Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird, and Barry Dean recently shared the amusing tale behind this 2012 hit with Bart Herbison from the Nashville Songwriters Association International, revealing how a simple misunderstanding sparked the creation of this iconic Song On The Pontoon.
From Misheard Lyrics to Lakeside Anthem: The Birth of “Pontoon”
The story begins with a case of mistaken identity, or rather, mistaken lyrics. As Luke Laird explains, he and Natalie Hemby had previously penned a song called “Fine Tune” for Miranda Lambert. Someone at their publishing company misheard the title as “Pontoon.” This sparked a humorous phone call to Natalie, suggesting she had a song called “Pontoon.” Instead of correcting the error, Natalie saw an opportunity. She recalls calling Luke and proposing, “We should write this really obnoxious song on the pontoon, to be funny.” Luke and Barry Dean were immediately on board with the playful concept.
Barry Dean points out that while the lyrical theme might seem less profound compared to Natalie’s usual work, she brought a unique and special angle to the lyrics. Coupled with Luke’s catchy groove and Jay Joyce’s fresh production, “Pontoon” evolved into something hipper and more contemporary than initially imagined. Luke emphasizes the organic nature of the song’s creation, stating that it was one of those rare instances where the magic truly happened in the writing room, a testament to trusting creative instincts when writing a song on the pontoon.
Little Big Town Pontoon Songwriters
Life Imitates Art: From Writing “Pontoon” to Owning a Pontoon
The story of “Pontoon” takes another delightful turn after its release. Natalie shares a humorous anecdote about how writing a song on the pontoon inspired her to actually purchase one. With her husband being a boat enthusiast, they decided to “take the plunge” and buy a pontoon boat. In a funny twist of fate, while showing the boat to a potential buyer, Natalie’s daughter innocently sang “Motorboatin’” from the very song on the pontoon that inspired their purchase. The prospective buyer’s less-than-enthusiastic reaction (“Oh my God, that song is so awful”) served as a funny reminder that not everyone will love your song on the pontoon, and that’s perfectly alright.
“Pontoon” by Little Big Town stands as a testament to the unexpected places inspiration can strike. Born from a simple mishearing, this song on the pontoon became a massive hit, embodying the carefree spirit of summer and lakeside relaxation. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most lighthearted and even “obnoxious” ideas can turn into something truly special, resonating with audiences far and wide.
