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Zac Brown Band’s ‘Toes’ Receives Positive Critical Reception

Zac Brown Band's 'Toes'
by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

The easy-listening melody present on Zac Brown Band’s ‘Toes’ captures everyone’s attention. It has a commercial success topping the charts of U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and U.S. Hot Country Songs. Get to know one of the best Zac Brown Band’s songs.

Epic Backstory

Zac Brown Band churned out ‘Toes’ with bassist John Driskell Hopkins, Shawn Mullins, and Wyatt Durette. It is a tropical treat released as the third single from their debut studio album, The Foundation. Moreover, it charted as the band’s U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs’ second number one hit and rose in the Top 10.

Durrette recalled going to Key West, Florida, with his four friends for a four-day getaway. During the third day, Durrette said to his friend these words: “I’ve got my toes in the water, ass in the sand, not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand. Life is good today, life is good today.” Something struck in the songwriter that made him call Brown.

RELATED: Top Country Songs About The Beach For The Perfect Summer Playlist

Brown shared with Billboard magazine how Durrette called him at six in the morning. The vocalist got worried. He thought somebody has a hangover or something was wrong. But it turns out the ocean lover songwriter wants to work on a song.

The main man of Zac Brown Band recalls working on the song anywhere they can. They worked out on the road, sitting opposite a bonfire, and even in a hotel room. They included their hometown and life experience in the lyrics.

In the song, a man narrates his encounter with “pretty senoritas” and memorable nights. The final verse reveals that after running out of money, he returns home to relax there.

Critical Reception

Most of Zac Brown Band songs have positive reactions from music critics, and this is no exception. Although it has a strong comparison to Jimmy Buffet’s style, there are still many positive reviews. Engine 145’s Pierce Greenberg commented that it had a more refreshing take on the beach theme. Sam Gazdziak gave a double thumbs-up to the song. Even Ken Tucker, Billboard’s critic, praised it for its “tropical treat.”

Zac Brown Band’s ‘Toes’ charts don’t lie too. It topped the Hot Country Songs in 2009 and got the No. 29 in the year-end charts. If you’re looking for an anthem this summer, then click on the video below.

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