Ain't Doin' Jack Explained

Ain't Doin' Jack
Cover:Ain't Doin' Jack.png
Type:single
Artist:Josh Ross
Genre:Country rock
Length:2:40
Label:
  • The Core
  • Universal Canada
Producer:Matt Geroux
Prev Title:Trouble
Prev Year:2023
Next Title:Single Again
Next Year:2024

"Ain't Doin' Jack" is a song co-written and recorded by Canadian country artist Josh Ross.[1] He co-wrote the track with Mason Thornley, Benjamin Stoll, and Sam Martinez, while Matt Geroux produced it.[2] [3] The song was officially sent to Canadian country radio in November 2023. The song reached number one on the Mediabase Canada Country chart.[4]

Background

Ross and his fellow songwriters Mason Thornley, Ben Stoll, and Sam Martinez were on a writing retreat in the Smoky Mountains when they wrote "Ain't Doin' Jack".[5] Stoll had the idea of a song where drinking Jack Daniel's whisky was "not doing the trick to get over the girl" after a break up. The four writers initially envisioned the song as a ballad, but during the trip, Ross received news that he would be an opening act on Nickelback's Get Rollin' Tour. This prompted them to reimagine the song as a country rock song that would fit into his live show better.[5]

Critical reception

Lesley Janes of The Nash News favourably reviewed the track, stating that the "lyrics are just as easy to gravitate to as the production behind the track", while adding that there is"something about the way Ross sings about going through heartbreak that makes it feel believable". She noted influence of early 2000s rock music and modern country music in the song.[6] Gabby Shukin of CJVR FM called the song "perfect for summer time" and "very catchy", while she also noted the influence of rock music.[7] Jeffrey Kurtis of Today's Country Magazine described the song as "purely built for a live show experience, providing several sing-along and fist pumping moments that wrap around the proper amounts of energy that carry an unmistakable, mosh pit type of build".[8] Bee Delores of Countrypolitan positively reviewed the track, opining that "Ross's raspy vocals give the song even greater emotional weight".[9]

Music video

The official music video for "Ain't Doin' Jack" premiered on YouTube on August 7, 2023.[10]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic.[11]

Charts

Chart (2023–2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia Country Hot 50 (The Music)[12] 26
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[13] 69
Canada Country (Billboard)[14] 2

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Josh Ross Unveils His Latest Track "Ain't Doin' Jack" Out Now. Universal Music Canada. July 14, 2023. November 13, 2023.
  2. Web site: Ain't Doin' Jack – Single by Josh Ross. July 14, 2023. Spotify. November 12, 2023.
  3. Web site: Josh Ross – Ain't Doin' Jack. AllMusic. November 12, 2023.
  4. Web site: Top Canada Country Song Chart. March 11, 2024. iHeartRadio Canada. https://web.archive.org/web/20240311175739/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://news.iheart.com/featured/charts/canada-country/. March 11, 2024.
  5. Web site: Josh Ross Unveils His Latest Track "Ain't Doin' Jack," Out Now. UMG Nashville. July 14, 2023. November 13, 2023.
  6. Web site: Josh Ross "Ain't Doin' Jack" Song Review. Lesley. Janes. The Nash News. July 14, 2023. November 13, 2023.
  7. Web site: New Song – Josh Ross – Ain't Doin' Jack. Gabby. Shukin. July 21, 2023. CJVR Today's Best Country. Melfort, Saskatchewan. November 13, 2023.
  8. Web site: Single Review: Josh Ross – "Ain't Doin' Jack". Today's Country Magazine. Jeffrey. Kurtis. November 13, 2023.
  9. Web site: Countrypolitan Artist To Watch: Josh Ross Admits The Drink 'Ain't Doing Jack' (Review). July 20, 2023. Bee. Delores. Countrypolitan. November 13, 2023.
  10. Web site: Josh Ross – Ain't Doin' Jack. YouTube. August 7, 2023. video. November 12, 2023.
  11. Web site: Ain't Doin' Jack – Josh Ross, Credits. AllMusic. November 12, 2023.
  12. Web site: Countrytown Hot 50 – 2024, Week 19. https://web.archive.org/web/20240512161840/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://countrytown.com/charts/countrytown-hot-50?year=2024&week=19. May 12, 2024. Countrytown. May 12, 2024.
  13. Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of March 16, 2024. Billboard. March 12, 2024. subscription.
  14. Canada Country chart for March 16, 2024. Billboard. March 12, 2024. subscription.