Leon Bridges is the latest to prove not all covers of “Pony” are created equal.
The singer released his cover of the 1996 classic Ginuwine jam as part of the latest Spotify Singles. It’s a very soulful rendition worth your time. Give it a listen below:
But this isn’t the first time the rising retro R&B singer has taken a stab at the song. At Bonnaroo 2016, I was about 40 minutes into an acid trip when Leon Bridges asked “Are you all cool if we take it back to 1996 real quick?”
Bridges was accompanied by some extremely sexy saxophone at The Farm (which isn’t evident in the Spotify Singles version). Bridges’ vocals are complemented wonderfully by the sax and simple bass line that permeates throughout the live track. It’s the very first moment I recall the psychedelics taking effect on me — beginning to date the best trip I’ve ever had in my life.
“Pony” is a song that usually sounds like someone doing karaoke, but Leon Bridges really makes it his own. Listen to the live version from Bonnaroo here:
You can also find a full bootleg of Leon Bridges’ wonderful Bonnaroo 2016 performance here. Let’s cross our fingers he brings this song along with him to the Greek Theatre when he performs there on Tuesday, September 11.
