Introduction
“Put a Girl in It” is a feel-good, uptempo country-rock anthem recorded by the legendary duo Brooks & Dunn. Co-written by the celebrated songwriting trio The Peach Pickers—Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, and Ben Hayslip—the track was released on May 5, 2008, as the third single from their tenth studio album Cowboy Town .
Musically, the song embodies the hybrid style that Brooks & Dunn explored on Cowboy Town, blending energetic electric guitar riffs with rock‑tinged production. The narrative is simple yet effective: the lyrics refer to how any setting—whether it’s a truck, a party, or a fancy house—is “nothing” unless “you put a girl in it” . This catchy premise resonated with country audiences, helping the single climb to No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart; it also marked the album’s highest‑peaking single .
Critics noted that while the song leans into a lighthearted appeal—some even saw it as a calculated bid for female fans—it’s endowed with strong vocals from Ronnie Dunn and an infectious groove . Country Universe’s Kevin John Coyne gave it a “B”, emphasizing that despite a somewhat simplistic hook, the performance keeps the song fun and “admirably strong” .
From a live-show perspective, “Put a Girl in It” offered Brooks & Dunn a perfect crowd-sparking moment. As Kix Brooks noted around its release, it was the kind of high-energy track that would immediately fire up audiences on the summer Cowboy Town tour .
In essence, “Put a Girl in It” intertwines rollicking instrumentation with a playful message about how romance can elevate everyday scenarios. Its commercial success and popularity in concert underscore its role as a standout, feel-good highlight in the latter phase of Brooks & Dunn’s storied career.