With “Banjo,” Rascal Flatts return with the lead single to their sophomore album for Big Machine Records. The song features hard rock power chords backing up Gary LeVox as he sings of a common country music theme, that of a man who ‘has had enough of this concrete jungle’ and heads down ‘beyond the pavement,’ to ‘go deep’ and ‘get lost way on out’ to go go go until you hear banjo.’ In other words, he wants to take time to unwind out in the middle of nowhere with his ‘baby’ beside him.

The biggest band in country music for the last decade, Rascal Flatts sounded refreshed and renewed on Nothing Like This and “Banjo” continues the trend of strong singles from that album to the new one. “Banjo” is strong because it is well-produced (but not overly so) and the banjo ensures that fans know they’re listening to a country song, even if it’s thoroughly a modern country/pop song and not a song ready to be played on FX’s Justified.

People who aren’t likely fans of Rascal Flatts aren’t likely to become fans because of “Banjo” but for people who “kind of” like the trio of Joe Don, Jay and Gary, they will most likely dig this tune while the loyal fans will be rockin’ out to it. I’ve personally always been a fan of the group (even though I’ve not liked every single) and “Banjo” had me noddin’ and singing along in short order. That makes it a hit in my book.