Brooks & Dunn – “Indian Summer”
Songwriters: Kix Brooks, Bob DiPiero, Ronnie Dunn
Our friends at radio trade site All Access have listed “Indian Summer” as a spotlight track, citing one radio programmer who claimed the song reminds him of a Garth Brooks record. Certainly, the lead single from Brooks & Dunn’s upcoming album deserves a moment in the spotlight, if only because the superduo has earned the respect and interest of fans and industry alike. But to say that this underwhelming piece of melodrama is similar in quality or context to even the mid-tier selections in Brooks’ catalog is an insult to the man’s music.
Brooks, of course, can be criticized for often elevating drama to truly epic proportions. But as an artist and as a songwriter, he understood how to choose and write songs that would resonate and “stick” with listeners. “Indian Summer” may be similar to “That Summer” in the sense that both end in the word summer, and in that both paint a picture of passion fading into the cold change of seasons (a change emblematic of the passage of time), but while the latter details the specific emotional journey of a specific and well-defined character (all the while tying that journey to scenes that we can see, smell and feel), the latest from Kix and Ronnie is blatant mimicry, built around a series of clichés that are, simply put, the least original lyrics that could possibly appear in a song titled “Indian Summer.”
It sounds good, though. There’s an ominous tone to the track’s production, and a genuine longing emanates from Dunn’s typically fantastic vocal performance.
But at the core of that expensive spit-and-polish is a song that amounts to the following: Two kids live in a dustbowl town. One of them is a star football player. The other is a non-descript female with no apparent plans, dreams or motivations. They fall head over heels for each other in a flood of passion that ends when the leaves finally fall from the trees. Bored yet?
Throw in some bullcrap about a lone wind howling, a game-winning touchdown and, of course, “The wonder/The hunger/And the sound of distant thunder,” and you’ve got yourself a genuine country coming of age song.
“Indian Summer” parades as a heavy, poetic and bittersweet slice of reminiscence, but in reality it is a typical and predictable tale of two anonymous individuals who are little more than silhouettes set against the backdrop of burgeoning autumn. We have absolutely no reason to care about them, and when, in the final section of the song, the singer rolls out a supposed-to-be-surprising change of narrative voice–the music stopping for dramatic effect–it amounts to a classic “who cares?” moment.
Indian summer may bring about a late season heat wave, but “Indian Summer” deserves an ice-cold reception from anyone who values thoughtful lyrics that strive for more than the most obvious and shallow images associated with a given theme.
Listen: Brooks & Dunn – “Indian Summer”
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54 Comments
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May 21, 2009 at 12:55 pm Permalink
I love Brooks and Dunn and this song… I still can’t get over how most reviews on this site are a “Thumbs Down” every song on the radio can’t be that bad…
May 21, 2009 at 1:23 pm Permalink
I can see the problems you have with the song, but I agree–it does sounds good. Dunn would probably make my top ten country vocalists of all time.
May 21, 2009 at 2:11 pm Permalink
I’ve tried listening to this a few times, but I keep spacing out. It sorta reminded me of “That Summer” and “Strawberry Wine” the first time through, but a lot more generic. Was their whole relationship really predicated on a touchdown?
On another note, I did a search for the songwriters at BMI and 180 songs with the same name came up.
May 21, 2009 at 2:50 pm Permalink
James Otto’s “The Ball” has a similar theme when it comes to the importance of TD’s and high school football.
I’m gonna give this a few more listens before i judge.
May 21, 2009 at 2:56 pm Permalink
Is it possible to start listing the writers of the songs that are critiqued?
May 21, 2009 at 3:09 pm Permalink
Dr. No, we try to list the songwriters, but that information isn’t always readily available. That being said, if anyone ever wants us to add the songwriters to a review, feel free to send us an email with a link to the source and we’ll get it done.
May 21, 2009 at 3:34 pm Permalink
I agree that this song isn’t groundbreaking or new, but I still like it…I think it has more to do with Ronnie Dunn more then anything. He could make the Alphabet sound sound interesting and fresh.
May 21, 2009 at 4:56 pm Permalink
While not a huge fan of this song from the get go, my main complaint is Ronnie’s mumbling at the end of verses. I had the over all premise from my initial listen, but as for the actual song lyrics, I’m still a little hazy as to what he’s actually saying.
May 21, 2009 at 5:53 pm Permalink
thought this was a remake of The Doors…almost panicked. Leave the classics alone!
Good lord, how many different songs named “Indian Summer” are there? There are 30+ search results on Itunes. How about using the same concept, different title? maybe stand out from the crowd a little bit? Not a bad song, but not great either. Will be a top 10 by Flag day I bet.
May 21, 2009 at 6:14 pm Permalink
This song sounds like Miranda’s “Dead Flowers” to me…
Anyway, I agree with the review- boring lyrics, great sound.
May 21, 2009 at 6:41 pm Permalink
Brooks & Dunn is that duo where they sound pretty much EXACTLY like you expect them to sound each and every album era, but they still find a way to make themselves sound fresh, and for that they deserve all the respect and merits they have received.
When we’re talking about how this song stacks up to their back catalog, in terms of compositions/records, this is weaker than average, I agree, and one that won’t have as much shelf life. However, they’re clearly living up to the expectations of listeners overall, so they have nothing to lose; eliciting more of a yawn as we slowly shift our thumbs down or sideways, rather than doing so passionately.
May 21, 2009 at 7:14 pm Permalink
Aren’t these guys nearing the country artist shelf-life expiration date? They need to step aside and let Randy Houser take over their regular spot on the Top 40 country charts….
May 21, 2009 at 7:54 pm Permalink
What a waste of Ronnie Dunn’s vocals.
And I have to disagree with Rick. Randy Houser is merely a Ronnie Dunn poseur. That being said, I don’t much care for this song either. I’ve been waiting for new Brooks & Dunn music and this is not what I expected. I was disappointed with Cowboy Town and I was hoping for a real winner this time. The lead single isn’t promising.
May 21, 2009 at 9:04 pm Permalink
Randy Houser a Ronnie Dunn Poseur? While they’re voices are similar I’d hardly call him a poseur, particularly live.
May 21, 2009 at 10:21 pm Permalink
Brady – I tried the same search! I also tried looking for the title under Ronnie Dunn’s name but either he didnt co-write it, OR it just hasnt been added to the registry yet.
May 22, 2009 at 12:05 pm Permalink
Compared to the drivel which makes up many of the songs played on country radio today, this is a masterpiece of passion, production, and delivery. I think you’re being too hard on it, Jim. The ominous tone and the vocal performance alone should rate a thumbs up. Turning up your nose with a dubious Garth comparison marginalizes your review. This is easily a top five hit, too.
Writers: (Kix Brooks/Ronnie Dunn/Bob DiPiero)
May 22, 2009 at 1:25 pm Permalink
In response to ShannonD at the top – I work in radio and trust me, YES, most of what’s on Country radio really is as bad as the reviews here indicate. SOME of us are workin’ on it, but the politics are going to take time to weed through!!
As for the song, I more or less agree. It doesn’t live up to the extremely high bar Kix and Ronnie have set for themselves. I’ll take it over most of the pop garbage today, but maybe slightly in the “Lunchbag Letdown” category, if only because we’re so used to the Grade A stuff from these boys.
May 22, 2009 at 1:47 pm Permalink
I have to agree with Dr No: there should be significant effort made toward identifying the songwriters for these reviews, especially given that most reviews on this site tend toward primarily critiquing the lyrics and most often ignore other criteria — the production, vocal performance, potential for chart success, placement in an artist’s oeuvre, etc.
Brooks & Dunn have been around for so long now, we should just admit they’ve internalized “the rules” of being a major country star in this era: unexceptionalism. I mean, this song exhibits just enough of Dunn’s vocal range to maintain identification when played over the radio, but not enough of … anything else that would make it particularly memorable. Or unique. If country radio today is Muzak on steroids, then this song totally fits the format.
May 22, 2009 at 2:03 pm Permalink
…pop garbage today, but maybe slightly in the “Lunchbag Letdown” category, if only because we’re so used to the Grade A stuff from these boys.
I’m not used to grade A material from B&D anymore. That ship has sailed long ago.
May 22, 2009 at 2:29 pm Permalink
@ Jim King – thanks for the write info, and the link.
May 22, 2009 at 2:33 pm Permalink
uhm, I meant thanks for the writer info.
there used to be a site (coquett-shack) that had lyrics and also gave the writers, artist, publishers, and any other pertinent info. strangely, they were sued by sony for putting copyrighted lyrics online. the one site that actually gave credit where credit was due …..
May 22, 2009 at 2:48 pm Permalink
Paula,
We’re working with publishers and artists to have that info incorporated into the Roughstock Cowpie lyric database.
May 22, 2009 at 2:59 pm Permalink
Thanks Matt. I can often find the info by searching ASCAP and BMI’s database. But apparently they dont always update those in a timely manner (not the public view anyway). I just have this obsessive-compusive thing about having to know who the writers are (have they given my particular disorder a name yet?)
:-)
May 22, 2009 at 3:35 pm Permalink
Another wonderful review by the old timer Jim Malec…John Rich knew what he was talking about when you interviewed him…he was very cordial with his comments but you know he thinks you are a fool!!!
May 22, 2009 at 3:40 pm Permalink
Between Jon and people like “Jimmy Maleced,” I’m starting to get confused about whether I’m a wet-behind-the-ears kid or a tired, angry old man.
May 22, 2009 at 5:12 pm Permalink
@LeannWard
Sure, their best stuff was in the early 90s, but hey – the genre sailed too, right?? So it’s not just BnD! With that said, while I never picked up Cowboy Town, I thoroughly enjoyed Hillbilly Deluxe and thought it had several highlight tracks on it.
May 23, 2009 at 2:08 am Permalink
Brooks and Dunn…keep to produce beautiful lyrics
May 26, 2009 at 1:03 pm Permalink
Awesome Song!! Another hit for Brooks and Dunn. Nice comment Jim Malec, I think you are an old grumpy man judging from your constant negative comments and interviews. At any rate INDIAN SUMMER ….is great!
May 27, 2009 at 5:14 am Permalink
Jim King/Randy Drandy – totally agree with both of you. Vocal performance is fantastic. Like it more & more everytime I hear it. Kind of wraps you up and relaxes/soothes you and takes.you to a different time and place. I don’t always want a song that tells you abc – this song allows for you to drive the wheel if you will. This definitely is #1 caliber!!!
June 1, 2009 at 10:53 pm Permalink
Jim – you nailed it. I think that sometimes the “powers that be” in Nashville get so bored with the “typical” songs they hear day in and day out, they want to try something new or out of the box. Sometimes it works (like “Save A Horse…” or “She’s My Kind Of Rain”) and sometimes it doesn’t–like this song. I suspect it’ll bomb on the charts (which for B&D means top 20, but not top 10). What’s most objectionable to me is not really the lyric, it’s bad, but a great melody would save it. While the production on this song is stellar and Ronnie’s voice is typically amazing, the verse melody is just downright ho hum and I think it’s the real buzz kill here. Really amazed their record label thought this was just THE song they had to cut.
June 2, 2009 at 9:34 am Permalink
I fell asleep halfway through it. Keep slitting your throat Music Row. You only have yourselves to blame.
June 3, 2009 at 2:30 pm Permalink
From the second I heard this song on the radio I fell in love with it. Sometimes it’s not just about the lyrics themselves, but rather the way they are sang and the emotions they evoke. This song is a story, it’s not just your “Honky-Tonk Badonkadonk” meaningless play with ebonics. But a story, and a good one in my opinion. I think if you listen to the passion the story tries to tell of, you’ll feel the passion, and passion is never a bad thing ;)
2 Thumbs up from this Kansas girl!
June 5, 2009 at 2:24 pm Permalink
First off Ronnie Dunn is twice the singer has Randy Houser, dont get me wrong im a big fan of Houser but Dunn moves over for no one when it comes to singing.
As for the song im still alittle confused by what happens in the end. Did she get pregnant?, and did she just leave him in the dust bowl, or did he end up with her wondering what would of happened with his life had not scored the touchdown and gotten her pregnant? Either way im I liked the song. To be honest im kinda surprised by all the negativity about it. Bob Dipiero and Ronnie Dunn are great writers and couldnt of down that badly.
June 5, 2009 at 7:22 pm Permalink
I agree with Brianna. You have to listen to the passion in Ronnie Dunn’s voice. This is a love story. I interpret it to be about lost love. But when you listen to the last verse he almost has a hint of happiness in his voice when he says “if I’d never scored that last touchdown”. Great song.
Two thumbs up from this Tennessee boy
June 9, 2009 at 9:56 am Permalink
This came on the radio yesterday, and try as I might, I just couldnt get all the way through it without changing stations.
June 9, 2009 at 6:03 pm Permalink
Thumbs down? I totally disagree! This is another beautiful ballad by Ronnie Dunn. He has the truest tenor in Nashville. No one sings a ballad like the incredible Ronnie Dunn. I don’t know what you all are listening to but the passion in his voice comes through loud and clear. Mark my words Ronnie Dunn is going to go down in country music history just like Haggard, Jennings and Cash. Two thumbs up for this fantastic singer/songwriter/producer.
June 9, 2009 at 6:19 pm Permalink
I don’t think anyone is going to argue that Ronnie Dunn isn’t a great singer. This just isn’t that good of a song.
June 10, 2009 at 10:07 pm Permalink
I think this song is great, Ronnie Dunn has got to be one of the best vocalists in the business
June 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm Permalink
Love the song!!!
June 27, 2009 at 10:42 am Permalink
Jim, you are an idiot, this is a great song.
June 30, 2009 at 1:38 am Permalink
Dunn is the man as far as vocals go, but this song doesn’t deserve him.
July 20, 2009 at 4:44 am Permalink
awesome song!….hopefully this song goes straight to number 1.
July 25, 2009 at 7:52 am Permalink
Typical great B&D, but like stated earlier, not the best written song.
July 26, 2009 at 9:55 am Permalink
Beautiful song…….Gotta love Brooks and Dunn !
July 27, 2009 at 11:17 am Permalink
Yep, the song is blah but his voice is just so…exquisite
August 4, 2009 at 2:37 pm Permalink
i love that song and u can say that u dont like the song, but seriously u dont have to go that into it. geez people…….
August 8, 2009 at 12:18 pm Permalink
You folks need to get a life (and get out of your mirror – jeesch)!!!! This is a top song by one of the best artist’s of the decade…
August 10, 2009 at 10:10 pm Permalink
these guys are splitting up for good i see today,
but they have made more money than they can spend.
20yrs on the road is enough…..you reach a point,
where its tyme 4 something different…i did not like all there music but liked some a lot…touring and music is down right now with the
economy, and that most likely played in there decision……
August 10, 2009 at 10:25 pm Permalink
Keep in mind, these guys were older when they started (both around 40) and have been going for the better part of 20 years, so, while they’re going out on top and still as popular as ever, they have also earned a “retirement” of sorts.
I’ll take this time to say thank you to Kix and Ronnie for the “Brand New Man” album, which defined my teens.
August 10, 2009 at 10:59 pm Permalink
Brooks is 54 and Dunn is 56.
August 11, 2009 at 10:06 am Permalink
It appears some of you have never “lived” life. I’m not sure how those of you who don’t like this song even relate yourselves to country music when you can’t even relate to songs about life. The zoning out feeling a lot of you speak of while listening to Indian Summer is the effect a good song is supposed to create. Songs are supposed to be so close to a real time in your own life that you begin to drift back in time and match your own life experience to the words of the song. When you are in a near dream state reminiscing over old times while still hearing the song playing…that’s the perfect song..it takes you back. Who cares how many artists create similar songs – more power to them. We have a lot of makers of cola (RC, Pepsi, Coke, etc) but when it comes down to it they are all still a cola.
Great Song!!
October 9, 2009 at 7:18 pm Permalink
Here’s my question: when you pair the song with its video, it would appear that the girl jets out of town (to California, as stated in the lyric), and has what appears to be a 3 or 4 year old child with her on a beach. Does this mean the sex she and Mr. football player had ended in her getting pregnant? Because if that’s the case, I’d be really, really pissed if I were the guy because he’s the father and she’s long gone with the kid!!!
As for the song, just another typical boring country bumpkin’ tale about the south’s most celebrated event — the FOOTBALL GAME.
December 6, 2009 at 3:07 am Permalink
I love the melody and the explosion at the end!! For Brooks,he did a masterful bit of singing the lyric`s that in my opinion a middle schooler would top!! All though I have only the lines—The tall weeds lay flat,on the hard flat Kansas ground,and a sad song in her head kept going round. She barely knew his name, but she liked the way he played the game…everybody cheered when he scored that last touch down…..etc etc etc!! The bridge: The Summer and wonder the hunger, sound of distant thunder sent chills down my back!! Now IF I can the rest of the lyric`s I`ll be happy to come back with a little more comment…For now, I loved the song!! Great job Brooks!!
December 6, 2009 at 3:25 am Permalink
How about typing out the rest of the song “Indian Summer” for me so I can go to sleep tonight. And Maybe I can agree with the young lady above me, who, I`m sad to say,left out EAST,NORTH, and WEST FOOTBALL GAME!! Go DUCKS!!!!
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