[4] Ross and his fellow songwriters Mason Thornley, Ben Stoll, and Sam Martinez were on a writing retreat in the Smoky Mountains when they wrote "Ain't Doin' Jack".

The four writers initially envisioned the song as a ballad, but during the trip, Ross received news that he would be an opening act on Nickelback's Get Rollin' Tour.

[6] Gabby Shukin of CJVR FM called the song "perfect for summer time" and "very catchy", while she also noted the influence of rock music.

[7] Jeffrey Kurtis of Today's Country Magazine described the song as "purely built for a live show experience, providing several sing-along and fist pumping moments that wrap around the proper amounts of energy that carry an unmistakable, mosh pit type of build".

[8] Bee Delores of Countrypolitan positively reviewed the track, opining that "Ross's raspy vocals give the song even greater emotional weight".