Pony (Ginuwine song)
1996 single by Ginuwine
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"Pony" is a song by American singer and songwriter Ginuwine, released in July 1996, by 550 and Epic Records, as the debut single from his first album, Ginuwine... the Bachelor (1996). Ginuwine co-wrote the song with Swing Mob associates Static Major and Timbaland; the latter made his breakthrough as a producer with the song. Upon its release, the song was met with acclaim from music critics, and it peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart. The accompanying music video was directed by Michael Lucero.
| "Pony" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Ginuwine | ||||
| from the album Ginuwine... the Bachelor | ||||
| B-side | "Hello" | |||
| Written | 1989, 1994 | |||
| Released | July 30, 1996 | |||
| Recorded | 1994 | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Length |
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| Label | ||||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Timbaland | |||
| Ginuwine singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Pony" on YouTube | ||||
Production
Timbaland, the song's producer, revealed in a MasterClass lecture that the song's instrumental was created in 1989, and that the song was written and recorded in 1994, two years prior to its release.[1]
Critical reception
"Pony" was met with critical acclaim. Larry Flick from Billboard magazine wrote, "This sex jam, played out through horse-riding metaphors, is an even-metered gallop through lovely backing vocals and machine-generated music." He added, "While lead vocal elements are indistinguishable from several similar jams receiving heavy play, 'Ginuwine' makes up for it with endearing style and funk. Added vocals run though a synthesizer provide a unique supplemental element to the bassline and act as an interesting refrain."[2] 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 gave it a full score of five out of five and named it 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]
Commercial performance
The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart for two weeks from November 16, 1996, to November 30, 1996,[5] and reached number six on Billboard's Hot 100 on November 23, 1996.[6] Internationally, the song reached number three in Australia, peaked at number five in New Zealand, and charted within the top 40 in several European countries.
Music video
The official music video for the album version of the song, directed by American director Michael Lucero and filmed at the Cowboy Palace saloon in Chatsworth, California,[7] depicts Ginuwine and his crew entering a Western bar as strangers and gradually gaining the favor of the cowboy-patrons. The music video for the remix version of the song (the "Ride It" mix) was directed by Christopher Erskin and shot in a factory.[8]
Live performances
Ginuwine performed the song live on Soul Train on November 23, 1996.
Legacy
Along with his concurrent work for Aaliyah's One in a Million album, "Pony" and Ginuwine...the Bachelor marked the emergence of Timbaland as a successful R&B producer.[9] The song experienced a resurgence in popularity after being featured in the 2012 film Magic Mike, its 2015 sequel Magic Mike XXL, and its 2023 sequel Magic Mike's Last Dance.[10][11][12][13] On November 2, 2019, the song was featured in the sketch "Hungry Jury" on Saturday Night Live.[14]
In 2021, the duo Altégo posted a snippet of a mashup of "Pony" and Britney Spears's "Toxic" on TikTok, which 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.[15] The mashup reached number 40 on the Billboard Pop Airplay chart.[16]
In 2023, the alternative rock band Slothrust released a cover of the song on their album “I Promise”. This included an extended version, an a cappella version, and an instrumental version.[17]
The song was briefly featured in a sneak peek of the 2025 Marvel Studios film Thunderbolts*.[18]
Track listings
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Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[60] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[61] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
| Germany (BVMI)[62] | Gold | 250,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[63] | 4× Platinum | 120,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[64] | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[65] Physical |
Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
| United States Digital |
— | 1,301,019[66] |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
| Region | Version | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref(s). |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Original | July 30, 1996 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | 550 Music | [67] |
| August 20, 1996 |
|
[68][69] | |||
| Japan | October 21, 1996 | CD | Epic Japan | [70] | |
| United Kingdom | January 13, 1997 |
|
|
[71] | |
| Various | "Toxic Pony" | January 21, 2022 |
|
Sony Music | [72] |
"Pony (Jump on It)"
| "Pony (Jump on It)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.png) | ||||
| Single by Tough Love featuring Ginuwine | ||||
| from the album Past Present Future (Unreleased) | ||||
| Released | August 7, 2015 | |||
| Recorded | 2015 | |||
| Genre | House[73] | |||
| Length | 3:03 | |||
| Label | Island | |||
| Songwriters |
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| Producer | Tough Love | |||
| Tough Love singles chronology | ||||
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| Ginuwine singles chronology | ||||
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| 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
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Singles (OCC)[76] | 36 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[77] | 39 |
| UK Dance (OCC)[78] | 12 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[79] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | August 7, 2015 | Digital download | Island |
| United Kingdom[80] |