"Pony"
Ginuwine - Pony.JPG
Single by Ginuwine
from the album Ginuwine... the Bachelor
B-side"Hello"
ReleasedAugust 20, 1996 (1996-08-20)
Genre
Length
  • 5:25
  • 4:13 (edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Timbaland
Ginuwine singles chronology
"Pony"
(1996) 		"Tell Me Do U Wanna"
(1997)
Music video
"Pony" on YouTube

"Pony" is the debut single of American singer Ginuwine, released as a single from his first album, Ginuwine...The Bachelor in 1996. Ginuwine co-wrote the song with Swing Mob associates Static Major and Timbaland; the latter is also the producer. "Pony" was Timbaland's breakthrough as a producer.

Composition

Timbaland's production was unique among R&B releases of the day: "Pony"'s instrumentation features a start-stop rhythm pattern similar to drum and bass music, a bassline and melody formed by vocoded vocal samples, and a cartoon slide whistle.

Commercial performance

The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for two weeks from November 16, 1996, to November 30, 1996,[1] and reached number six on Billboard's Hot 100 on November 23, 1996.[2]

Critical reception

The song received an A− from Matt Diehl for Entertainment Weekly, who said that its "irresistible funk grooves lope at an easy gait, seducing the listener with a velvety tenor and belching synthesizer hook".[3] Tony Farsides from Music Week's RM Dance Update rated it five out of five, picking it as Tune of the Week. He noted that "given the downtempo mania that's dominated R&B in recent years, it's refreshing to hear a solid uptempo track instead. [...] All in all, a great track and hopefully a deserving hit as well."[4]

Music video

The official music video for the album version of the song was directed by Michael Lucero.[5] The music video for the remix version of the song was directed by Christopher Erskin. The video depicts Ginuwine and his crew entering a Western bar as strangers and gradually gaining the favor of the cowboy-patrons. The video was filmed at the Cowboy Palace saloon in Chatsworth, California.[6] A video for the "Ride It" Mix was also released. The video is shot in a factory.

Legacy

Along with his concurrent work for Aaliyah's One in a Million LP, "Pony" and Ginuwine...the Bachelor marked the emergence of Timbaland as a successful R&B producer.[7] The song is featured in the 1997 film Booty Call,[8] but it does not appear on the soundtrack.

The song appears in the 2008 video game Grand Theft Auto IV in the fictional radio station The Vibe 98.8 .

The song experienced a resurgence in popularity after being featured in the 2012 film Magic Mike, and its 2015 sequel Magic Mike XXL.[9][10][11] On November 2, 2019, the song was featured in the sketch "Hungry Jury" on Saturday Night Live.[12]

In 2021, the duo Altégo posted a snippet of a mashup of "Pony" and Britney Spears's "Toxic" on TikTok, that quickly went viral. In January 2022, the mashup was completed and officially released through Sony Music Entertainment under the title "Toxic Pony", being credited to Altégo, Spears and Ginuwine.[13]

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[52] Platinum 70,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[53] Gold 45,000double-dagger
New Zealand (RMNZ)[54] Gold 5,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[55] Platinum 600,000double-dagger
United States (RIAA)[56]
Physical 		Platinum 1,000,000^
United States
Digital 		— 1,301,019[57]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
double-dagger Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Version Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States Original July 30, 1996 (1996-07-30) Rhythmic contemporary radio 550 Music [58]
August 20, 1996 (1996-08-20)
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • cassette
 [59][60]
United Kingdom January 13, 1997 (1997-01-13)
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
[61]
Various "Toxic Pony" January 21, 2022
Sony Music [62]

"Pony (Jump on It)"

"Pony (Jump on It)"
Tough Love - Pony (Jump on It).png
Single by Tough Love featuring Ginuwine
from the album Past Present Future
ReleasedAugust 7, 2015 (2015-08-07)
Recorded2015
GenreHouse[63]
Length3:03
LabelIsland
Songwriter(s)
  • Stephen Garrett
  • Elgin Lumpkin
  • Tim Mosley
Producer(s)Tough Love
Tough Love singles chronology
"So Freakin' Tight"
(2015) 		"Pony (Jump on It)"
(2015) 		"Touch"
(2016)
Ginuwine singles chronology
"I Need"
(2013) 		"Pony (Jump on It)"
(2015)
Music video
"Pony (Jump on It)" on YouTube

British house music duo Tough Love collaborated with Ginuwine and revamped the song, which was released on August 7, 2015, as their second single.

Track listings

Digital download – single[64]
No.TitleLength
1."Pony (Jump on It)" (featuring Ginuwine) (Radio Mix)3:03
Digital download – EP[65]
No.TitleLength
1."Pony (Jump on It)" (Extended Mix)4:10
2."Pony (Jump on It)" (Cause & Affect Remix)4:39
3."Pony (Jump on It)" (VIP Mix)5:17
4."Pony (Jump on It)" (Kove Remix)4:13
5."Pony (Jump on It)" (Sick Individuals Remix)5:06
6."Pony (Jump on It)" (DJ Q Remix)5:09

Charts

Chart (2015) Peak
position
Scotland (OCC)[66] 36
UK Singles (OCC)[67] 39
UK Dance (OCC)[68] 12

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[69] Silver 200,000double-dagger

double-dagger Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country Date Format Label
Ireland August 7, 2015 Digital download Island
United Kingdom[70]

See also

References

  1. ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop songs: Pony". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  2. ^ "Hot 100 songs: Pony". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  3. ^ Diehl, Matt (November 8, 1996). "Music Single Review: 'Pony'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 7, 2018.
  4. ^ Farsides, Tony (December 14, 1996). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 7. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  5. ^ "mvdbase.com - Ginuwine - "Pony [version 1]"". Music Video DataBase. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  6. ^ Garcia, Alex S. "mvdbase.com - Ginuwine - "Pony [version 2: remix]"". Music Video DataBase. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  7. ^ "Pony". Hotnewhiphop.com. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  8. ^ "Booty Call (1997)". IMDb.com. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  9. ^ Simon, Rachel. "Ginuwine's "Pony" Is Back In A Big Way". Bustle.com. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  10. ^ "Who is Ginuwine? The R&B star made famous by hit song Pony". Metro.co.uk. January 5, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  11. ^ Spanos, Brittany (June 22, 2015). "Ginuwine Takes Sexual Innuendo to Absurd Lengths". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  12. ^ "Unlike These 'SNL' Idiots, You Probably Can't Play 'Pony' With Your Hungry Belly". Thrillist.com. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  13. ^ Havens, Lyndsey; Lipshutz, Jason; Lynch, Joe; Bowenbank, Starr; Hassan, Ammal (January 24, 2022). "10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through the Week: Purple Disco Machine, Years & Years, Joy Oladokun & More". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  14. ^ Pony (US 12-inch single sleeve). Ginuwine. 550 Music. 1996. 46 78354.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ Pony (Australian CD single liner notes). Ginuwine. 550 Music. 1996. 36K78373.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ Pony (US & Australian cassette single sleeve). Ginuwine. 550 Music. 1996. 36T 78373.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ Pony (European CD single liner notes). Ginuwine. 550 Music, Epic Records. 1997. 663927 1.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ Pony (UK CD single liner notes). Ginuwine. 550 Music, Epic Records. 1997. 664128 2.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ Pony (UK cassette single sleeve). Ginuwine. 550 Music, Epic Records. 1997. 664128 4.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ^ Pony (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Ginuwine. 550 Music, Epic Records. 1997. 664128 6.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ^ a b "Ginuwine – Pony". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  22. ^ "Ginuwine – Pony" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  23. ^ "Ginuwine – Pony" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  24. ^ "Ginuwine Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  25. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 8350." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  26. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 6. February 8, 1997. p. 21. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  27. ^ "Top Singles (Week 1, 1997)". SNEP. January 5, 1997. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  28. ^ a b "Ginuwine – Pony" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  29. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (20.2. '97 – 26.2. '97)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). February 21, 1997. p. 16. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  30. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Ginuwine" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  31. ^ "Ginuwine – Pony" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  32. ^ "Ginuwine – Pony". Top 40 Singles.
  33. ^ "Major Market Airplay - Week 8/1997" (PDF). Music & Media. February 22, 1997. p. 23. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  34. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  35. ^ "Ginuwine – Pony". Singles Top 100.
  36. ^ "Ginuwine – Pony". Swiss Singles Chart.
  37. ^ a b "Ginuwine: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  38. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  39. ^ "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  40. ^ "Ginuwine Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  41. ^ "Ginuwine Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  42. ^ "Ginuwine Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  43. ^ "Ginuwine Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
  44. ^ "Ginuwine – Pony" (in French). Les classement single.
  45. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1996". Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  46. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1996". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  47. ^ "1997 ARIA Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  48. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1997" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  49. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1997". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  50. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1997". Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  51. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1997". Billboard. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  52. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  53. ^ "Danish single certifications – Ginuwine – Pony". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  54. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Ginuwine – Pony". Recorded Music NZ.
  55. ^ "British single certifications – Ginuwine – Pony". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  56. ^ "American single certifications – Ginuwine – Pony". Recording Industry Association of America.
  57. ^ "Chart: Digital Songs" (PDF). Nielsen Soundscan. June 23, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  58. ^ "Selected New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1156. July 26, 1996. p. 45. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  59. ^ "Pony [Vinyl]". Amazon. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  60. ^ "Pony". Amazon. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  61. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. January 11, 1997. p. 25. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  62. ^ "Toxic Pony – Single". Apple Music. January 22, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  63. ^ Klemow, David (July 11, 2015). "Genuwine and Tough Love's 'Pony' reboot gets four new remixes". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  64. ^ "Pony (Jump On It) [Radio Mix] [feat. Ginuwine] – Single by Tough Love on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. August 7, 2015.
  65. ^ "Pony (Jump On It) [Remixes] [feat. Ginuwine] – EP by Tough Love on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. August 7, 2015.
  66. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  67. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  68. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  69. ^ "British single certifications – Tough Love/Ginuwine – Pony (Jump On It)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  70. ^ "Pony (Jump On It) [Radio Mix] [feat. Ginuwine] - Single by Tough Love on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. August 7, 2015.

External links


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