Toby Keith’s music was synonymous with patriotism, drinking and football. So it’s no wonder he crafted a custom Monday Night Football opener using his song “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” The track was used exclusively for the Dallas Cowboys in the early 1990s.
While the original version was already pretty perfect for “America’s Team,” Keith did re-write some of the lyrics for the occasion. He references Mark Stepnoski and Emmitt Smith in the opening lines
“Might have had an OG with a funny name / Throw a downfield block watching Emmitt’s flame / Lookin’ up through the roof at the Texas stars / A dream in my eye and a prayer in my heart,” he sings.
The chorus even underwent a makeover, shouting out Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman.
“I should’ve been a Cowboy / I should have learned to play with pride / Wearing my silver star, marching down the field on a TD drive / Stealing the young girls’ hearts / Just like Rog and Troy / Playing for America’s team, oh, I should’ve been a Cowboy,” Keith belts out in the custom chorus.
Should of been a Dallas Cowboy – MNF
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Was Toby Keith a Football Fan?
The “Red Solo Cup” singer was a big football fan and even played the game growing up. He played as a defensive end at Moore High School in his home state of Oklahoma. After high school, he went on to play semi-professional football for the Oklahoma City Drillers — a farm team for the United States Football League’s Oklahoma Outlaws.
Keith has also performed at a couple of NFL games. Keeping in line with his support of the Cowboys, he headlined the halftime show for Dallas’ traditional Thanksgiving Day game in 2003.
He performed a medley of his hits “How Do You Like Me Now?,” “Beer for My Horses” and “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.”
A Patriotic Thanksgiving with Toby Keith and Cowboys
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How Did Toby Keith Die?
Keith passed peacefully in his sleep on Monday, Feb. 5. The 62-year-old country icon died after a long battle with stomach cancer. He first announced his diagnosis in the summer of 2022.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Tricia, as well as his three children — Shelley, Krystal and Stelen. Keith also leaves behind four grandchildren.
22 Photos of Toby Keith YoungToby Keith was one of the most influential artists in country music history, with a career spanning from the mid 1990s all the way until his death in 2024. Let’s take a walk back in time and see pictures of Toby Keith young.
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Toby Keith, February, 2017
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Toby Keith, February 2017Toby Keith speaks onstage at the Artist Interview with Toby Keith: My Way, at CRS 2017 on February 24, 2017 in Nashville.
Toby Keith, June, 2015
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Toby Keith, June 2015Toby Keith performs onstage at the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 18, 2015 in New York City.
Toby Keith & Willie Nelson, July, 2013
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Toby Keith & Willie Nelson, July 2013Willie Nelson and Toby Keith perform during the Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert to benefit United Way of Central Oklahoma May Tornadoes Relief Fund at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on July 6, 2013 in Norman, Oklahoma.
Toby Keith, April 2013
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Toby Keith, April 2013Toby Keith performs onstage at Day 1 of the 2013 Stagecoach California’s Country Music Festival, April 26, 2013 in Indio, California.
Toby Keith & Willie Nelson, January, 2013
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Toby Keith & Willie Nelson, January 2013Willie Nelson and Toby Keith perform together during the 30th Annual American Music Awards (AMAs) at the Shrine Auditorium on January 13, 2003 in Los Angeles.
Toby Keith, 2010
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Toby Keith, 2010Toby Keith poses in the press room with his guitar trophy after winning the Video Visionary Award at the American Country Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, December 6, 2010 in Las Vegas.
Toby Keith, 2009
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Toby Keith, 2009Lang Lang, Toby Keith and Donna Summer attend the Nobel Peace Prize Concert Press Conference at Plaza Hotel on December 11, 2009 in Oslo, Norway.
Toby Keith, 2009
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Toby Keith, 2009Toby Keith appears onstage at the Comedy Central roast of Larry the Cable Guy at Warner Bros. Studios on March 1, 2009 in Burbank, California.
Toby Keith & Roger Clemens, 2005
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Toby Keith & Roger Clemens, 2005Toby Keith and Roger Clemens attend the 2012 CMT Artists of the Year Awards, December 3, 2012 in Franklin, Tennessee.
Toby Keith, 2005
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Toby Keith, 2005Toby Keith plays with Scotty Emerick during a United Service Organizations (USO) performance, May 17, 2005 at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq.
Toby Keith, November 2004
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Toby Keith, November 2004Keith poses his awards in the press room at the 32nd Annual AMAs, held at the Shrine Auditorium November 14, 2004 in Los Angeles.
Toby Keith, June 2004
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Toby Keith, June 2004Toby Keith holds an artillery shell he is asked to autograph by U.S. troops at Camp Phoenix, after a USO performance for coalition forces June 3, 2004 in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Toby Keith, January 2004
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Toby Keith, January 2004Toby Keith poses for photos at a press conference to announce pre-game activities for Super Bowl XXXVIII at the Reliant Center in Houston, January 30, 2004. Beyonce would sing the National Anthem.
Toby Keith, September 2002
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Toby Keith, September 2002Toby Keith sings with armed service members behind him on the field before the NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Tennessee Titans on September 8, 2002 at the Coliseum in Nashville, Tennessee.
Toby Keith, May, 1999
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Toby Keith, May 1999Toby Keith during 34th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards at Universal Ampitheater in Universal City, California.
Toby Keith, April, 1997
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Toby Keith, April 1997Toby Keith entering the 32nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, held at Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City.
Toby Keith, October, 1995
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Toby Keith, October 1995Toby Keith attends the Academy of Country Music’s Bill Boyd Golf Classic at De Bell Golf Course in Burbank.
Toby Keith, 1994
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Toby Keith, 1994Toby Keith on Jan. 12, 1994 in Merrilville, In.
Toby Keith, 1979
Toby Keith, 1979Toby Keith’s high school yearbook photo.
Toby Keith, c. 1970s
Toby Keith, c. 1970s
Toby Keith & Mother, c. 1960s
Toby Keith & His Mother, c. 1960s
Toby Keith, c. 1960s
Toby Keith, c. 1960sToby Keith’s Sweetest Photos With His Wife, Tricia LucusIn 1984, Toby Keith married his love Tricia Lucus after three years of dating, and the couple remained together for the rest of his life. Over the years, they raised three children together. Keith adopted Tricia’s daughter Shelley, who was born from a previous relationship, and they welcomed a daughter named Krystal and a son named Stelen. Take a look back at the couple’s sweetest moments together through the years.
Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak
Approx. 1981: Toby Keith + Tricia Lucus Meet at a Bar
Approx. 1981: Toby Keith + Tricia Lucus Meet at a BarAfter he graduated high school in 1979, Keith decided to go into oil field work, just like his dad before him, according to People. On his off-hours, he and his band Easy Money played at local bars. That’s where he first met Lucus, when she was 19 years old and he was 20. “He was just one of those larger-than-life guys, full of confidence,” she remembered at the time.
March 24, 1984: They Get Married
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March 24, 1984: They Get MarriedAfter about three years of dating, Keith and his bride tied the knot. Both members of the couple were still in their young 20s, but they were already a family by the time they got married, since Tricia had given birth to a daughter named Shelley, from a previous relationship, in 1980. Keith would go on to adopt Shelley, and the couple raised her together.
Sept. 30, 1985: Another Daughter Joins the Family
Sept. 30, 1985: Another Daughter Joins the FamilyKeith and Tricia’s daughter Krystal was born about a year-and-a-half after their wedding. She would go on to follow in her famous dad’s footsteps to pursue country music.
Mid-’80s: Tricia Stands by Her Man as He Awaits His Big Musical Break
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Mid-’80s: Tricia Stands by Her Man as He Awaits His Big Musical BreakKeith started focusing more on pursuing his musical career as oil field work opportunities began to falter. Through it all, his wife stood by him, he later recounted to Country Weekly (quote via Us Magazine).”Dozens of people told Tricia, ‘You need to go tell your old man to go get a real job,'” Keith recounted. “It took a strong-hearted and loving woman to say, ‘He’s good enough at music that I’ve got to let him try. And it’ll be a great shot for both of us if he can make it work.'”
1997: Toby and Tricia Welcome a Baby Boy, Stelen
1997: Toby and Tricia Welcome a Baby Boy, StelenThe couple’s third child and first son, Stelen Keith Covel, was born in 1997. According to Stelen’s social media, he currently works in owner/venture management, and married his wife Haley in 2021.
2001: Tricia Reveals Her Superstar Husband’s Romantic Side
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2001: Tricia Reveals Her Superstar Husband’s Romantic SideFans might not think of Toby Keith as the master of love songs — he’s better known for party hits like “Red Solo Cup” or patriotic anthems like “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” — but in 2001, Tricia told People all about her husband’s softer side.”He has his moments of charm,” she said. “It is nice to get a bouquet of flowers, but I’ve told him, ‘Save the money. Roses die in five to seven days. Buy me a nice outfit or take me to dinner.'”
2006: Keith and Tricia Launch the Toby Keith Foundation
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2006: Keith and Tricia Launch the Toby Keith FoundationThe couple launched the Toby Keith Foundation in 2006 to help children and families facing pediatric cancer. In 2014, they’d expand on that project with the opening of the OK Kids Korral, an Oklahoma City, Okla. lodging facility where pediatric patients and their families can stay while receiving treatment at the Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center.”It gives me goosebumps thinking about it,” Tricia said during an interview when she and Keith were honored by the ASTEC Charter in 2014. “One of the best things is when you go and see a smile on [a child’s] face because they’re not at a hospital room.”
2010: Toby and Tricia Enjoy a Hunting Trip
2010: Toby and Tricia Enjoy a Hunting TripThe couple remained relatively private for most of their life together, but Keith did occasionally share photos of their life together on his social media. This photo shows him giving her a piggyback ride over a patch of mud during a late 2010 hunting outing.
2010s-2020s: Toby + Tricia Enjoy Family Time
2010s-2020s: Toby + Tricia Enjoy Family TimeThough Keith never retired from music, he also prioritized family time — especially since the younger generation was rapidly expanding. His son Stelen married his wife Haley in 2021, and Keith and Trisha were both in the wedding party. Meanwhile, Keith’s daughter Krystal is mom to two daughters, Kirby and Hensley.”They all grew up with me being successful, but they are not hooked on that part of the business,” Keith told People in 2010.
June 2022: Toby Keith Announces His Stomach Cancer Diagnosis
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June 2022: Toby Keith Announces His Stomach Cancer DiagnosisKeith revealed to his fans in June 2022 that he was battling stomach cancer, and he took much of the next year off the road as he continued to undergo treatment for his disease.Tricia was by her husband’s side the next fall, in September 2023, when he performed at the People’s Choice Country Awards and accepted the Country Icon Award at that ceremony. Keith brought his wife — and most of the audience, too — to tears with his performance of “Don’t Let the Old Man In” on that broadcast.Keith died on Feb. 5, 2024, less than two months shy of his 40th wedding anniversary to Tricia.See Photos From Toby Keith’s Final Shows in Las VegasToby Keith played three shows to a sold-out crowd at Las Vegas’ Dolby Park on Dec. 10, Dec. 11 and Dec. 14, 2024. These shows would turn out to be his last. Amid his ongoing stomach cancer battle, the country legend died on Feb. 6 at the age of 62.
Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak
Toby Keith Performs at Dolby Live in Las Vegas (Night 1)
Greg Watermann
Toby Keith Performs at Dolby Live in Las Vegas (Night 1)
Toby Keith Performs at Dolby Live in Las Vegas (Night 1)
Greg Watermann
Toby Keith Performs at Dolby Live in Las Vegas (Night 1)
Toby Keith Performs at Dolby Live in Las Vegas (Night 1)
Greg Watermann
Toby Keith Performs at Dolby Live in Las Vegas (Night 1)
Toby Keith Performs at Dolby Live in Las Vegas (Night 1)
Greg Watermann
Toby Keith Performs at Dolby Live in Las Vegas (Night 1)
Toby Keith Performs at Dolby Live in Las Vegas (Night 1)
Robby Stevens
Toby Keith Performs at Dolby Live in Las Vegas (Night 1)
Toby Keith Performs at Dolby Live in Las Vegas (Night 2)
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Toby Keith Performs at Dolby Live in Las Vegas (Night 2)
Toby Keith Performs at Dolby Live in Las Vegas (Night 2)
Greg Watermann
Toby Keith Performs at Dolby Live in Las Vegas (Night 2)
Toby Keith Performs at Dolby Live in Las Vegas (Night 2)
Greg Watermann
Toby Keith Performs at Dolby Live in Las Vegas (Night 2)
Toby Keith Performs at Dolby Live in Las Vegas (Night 2)
Greg Watermann
Toby Keith Performs at Dolby Live in Las Vegas (Night 2)Toby Keith Dies: Jason Aldean, Luke Combs + More Stars ReactToby Keith died at the age of 62 on Monday (Feb. 5) after a battle with stomach cancer. His death left the country music community mourning one of its most influential figures and talented songwriters. Here are some of the tributes and memories artists shared as they grieved Keith’s passing.
Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak
Zach Bryan
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Zach Bryan
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Radio DJ Bobby Bones
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Radio DJ Bobby Bones
Jelly Roll
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Luke Combs
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Luke Combs
Carly Pearce
Carly Pearce
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood
Joe Diffie’s Team
Joe Diffie’s Team
Jason Aldean
Jason Aldean
George Birge
George Birge
Travis Denning
Travis Denning
Eddie Montgomery
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Eddie Montgomery
Loretta Lynn’s Team
Loretta Lynn’s Team
Cole Swindell
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Cole Swindell
Darryl Worley
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Darryl Worley
Dustin Lynch
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Dustin Lynch
The Oak Ridge Boys
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Lee Ann Womack
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Lee Ann Womack
Brantley Gilbert
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Morgan Wallen
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Eli Young Band
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Charlie Daniels’ Team
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Charlie Daniels’ Team
Megan Moroney
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Megan Moroney
Oliver Anthony
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Alan Jackson
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Blake Shelton
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Big Kenny of Big & Rich
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Dolly PartonToby Keith’s 20 Best Songs Prove He’s a Country IconToby Keith reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart 20 times during his 30-plus year career, but some of this best songs were deep cuts.Here are his greatest hits — the top songs from 19 studio albums and beyond.Toby Keith died on Feb. 5, 2024 after a two-year battle with stomach cancer.
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Cover of Toby keith’s Red Solo Cup
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No. 25: “Red Solo Cup” (From ‘Clancy’s Tavern,’ 2011)Nope, “Red Solo Cup” is not one of Toby Keith’s best, but admit it: A list without this playful jaunt would be incomplete.
No. 24: “Whiskey Girl” (From ‘Shock’n Y’all,’ 2003)
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No. 24: “Whiskey Girl” (From ‘Shock’n Y’all,’ 2003)Toby Keith dropped “Whiskey Girl” after hitting No. 1 with “Beer for My Horses,” “I Love This Bar” and “American Soldier,” and the new single climbed that mountain with ease.WWE star Amy Weber was the “Whiskey Girl” in a music video that’s not likely to avoid criticism in 2024. The objectifying nature of the song and video passed then, but it’s worth noting that Keith’s career would hit a lull in the two to three years that followed.
No. 23: “Me Too” (From ‘Blue Moon,’ 1996)
A&M records
No. 23: “Me Too” (From ‘Blue Moon,’ 1996)”Me Too” is an often forgotten hit for Toby Keith, but the song reached No. 1 in 1997. It’s a tender ballad is a lyrical showcase that he likely wrote hoping for a great anniversary song. It’s easy to imagine him struggling with the same three words his protagonist struggles with, so for that reason it’s very believable.
Cover of Toby Keith’s Unleashed album
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No. 22: “Who’s Your Daddy?” (From ‘Unleashed,’ 2002)”Who’s Your Daddy” is a signature Toby Keith song, among his very best. It’s got the attitude and sense of humor that would define his career, and it was a little controversial. That’s Toby, right?
No. 21: “American Ride” (From ‘American Ride,’ 2009)
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No. 21: “American Ride” (From ‘American Ride,’ 2009)”American Ride” is best remembered for the JibJab style music video that seemed to make a social or political statement. Immigration, climate change, loss of religion and more are referred to here, but through it all the singer states with conviction that he loves this American ride.
Cover of Toby Keith’s Clancy’s Tavern Album
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No. 20: “Made in America” (From ‘Clancy’s Tavern,’ 2011)A decade after dropping two patriotic songs, Toby Keith released another as the economy rebounded. “Made in America” rides along a thick rock track. It was his final No. 1 song.
Cover of Toby Keith’s She Never Cried In Front of Me
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No. 19: “She Never Cried in Front of Me” (From ‘That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy,’ 2008)Toby Keith sounded a bit different on “She Never Cried in Front of Me,” his arena rock ballad from 2008. Co-writer Bobby Pinson shares that they wrote it on piano, which was unusual. It hit No. 1 and deserves a spot on this list of his top songs.
Cover of Toby Keith’s Big Dog Daddy Album
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No. 18: “Love Me If You Can” (From ‘Big Dog Daddy,’ 2007)Songs like “Love Me If You Can” reveal the nuance in Keith’s personality. He didn’t write the reflective ballad, but in recording and releasing the chart-topper, he recognized how his opinions and actions might offend some.“Hate me if you want to / Love me if you can,” he sings to close each chorus.
Photo of Toby Keith from the “Who’s That Man” music video
Polydor
No. 17: “Who’s That Man” (From ‘Boomtown,’ 1994)”Who’s That Man” is a classic Toby Keith breakup song. The singer finds that another man has taken his place in the lives of his (ex) wife and kids, and he’s pretty blue about it. Keith wrote this No. 1 hit by himself, something he’d do often during his career.
Cover of Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar
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No. 16: “I Love This Bar” (From ‘Shock’n Y’all,’ 2003)”I Love This Bar” both spent five weeks atop the Billboard country charts and launched a successful restaurant chain for the country superstar. Looking back, songs from Unleashed and Shock’n Y’all represent the peak of Keith’s career: They resulted in six No. 1 hits, including four that made their way onto this Top 20 list. Critics were right when they predicted that this song would become a barroom anthem for years to come.
No. 15: “God Love Her” (From ‘That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy,’ 2008)
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No. 15: “God Love Her” (From ‘That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy,’ 2008)Toby Keith does Southern rock on “God Love Her,” a No. 1 hit from 2009. The uptempo hit is a coming-of-age story focused on two young lovers. It relies on a powerful, memorable chorus and some nasty guitar work.
Toby Keith poses with Willie Nelson
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No. 14: “Beer for My Horses” (From ‘Unleashed,’ 2002)Willie Nelson gave Keith’s career a big old stamp of approval by joining him on this hit from 2003. The song would become a six-week chart topper and later be turned into a movie. The surprising thing about this hit, one of our top Toby Keith songs, is that most people didn’t understand the concept of giving beer to one’s horses after a job well done. To be honest, most people under the age of 100 still don’t totally comprehend the idea, but it was funny, so it works.
Cover of Toby Keith’s Boomtown Album
Polydor
No. 13: “Upstairs Downtown” (From ‘Boomtown,’ 1994)The story goes that Toby Keith didn’t love “Upstairs Downtown” as a radio single, but we sure did. The ballad from Boomtown is a true country circle-of-life story that showed a new side to the hitmaker.
Photo of Toby Keith from the “I’m Just Talking About Tonight” music video
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No. 12: “I’m Just Talkin’ About Tonight” (From ‘Pull My Chain,’ 2001)The descending melodic structure of “I’m Just Talkin’ About Tonight” is the charm of this chart-topper. It’s no-nonsense story set atop a honky-tonk beat and it’s one of Toby Keith’s greatest hits.
Photo of Toby Keith from his My List music video
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No. 11: “My List” (From ‘Pull My Chain,’ 2001)Toby Keith’s love song from 2001 took on a new meaning when he set the music video to memories of the September 11 attacks. The soft, acoustic cut is timeless country music and an easy choice for this list of his best songs ever.
Photo of Toby Keith from the “I Wanna Talk About Me” music video
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No. 10: “I Wanna Talk About Me” (From ‘Pull My Chain,’ 2001)This song was controversial in 2001, as many wondered if the pacing and rhythm were too close to rap music. Blake Shelton originally cut the record, but he didn’t release it because his label felt it’d be too risky for a debut single. Keith joked to Billboard that no one who did rap would call it rap, though, and he was right: It went on to become his seventh No. 1 hit.After eight years of hits and misses, Keith really began to find his swagger during the early 2000s. A number of songs come loaded with an attitude that would define his best-known hits. It’s that chip on the shoulder that made him so easy to relate to as an artist.
Toby Keith performs live on stage
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No. 9: “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This” (From ‘How Do You Like Me Now?!,’ 1999)Including this song over ballads like “My List” and “Who’s That Man” is purely a matter of opinion — in this case, staff opinion. One could make a case for any of these three songs on this list of the Top 20 Toby Keith songs, as they were all wildly successful, and they all were unexpectedly tender performances from the rough and tough country star. While he’ll be remembered for rowdy hits like the top two songs on this list, he would never have lasted two-plus decades without being capable of singing a convincing ballad.
Cover of Toby Keith’s Blue Moon album
A&M Records
No. 8: “A Woman’s Touch” (From ‘Blue Moon,’ 1996)”A Woman’s Touch” is an under-appreciated song from Toby Keith’s catalog. The production is a bit outdated in 2024, but his warm voice still quiets the heart.
Cover of Toby Keith’s Shock’n Y’all Album
Dreamworks Nashville
No. 7: “American Soldier” (From ‘Shock’n Y’all,’ 2003)This four-week chart topper from Shock’n Y’all still resonates among the families of the men and women who serve this country in the armed forces. While many songs about America’s military or political climate felt disingenuous at the time, Keith seemed to sing from the perspective of a man who’d not only been to the Middle East, but had gotten to know the ins and outs of day-to-day military life. Fifty years from now, this song will still get airplay over the Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends, so it’s a shoo-in for our list of the best Toby Keith songs.
Cover of Toby Keith’s Honkytonk University album
Dreamworks Nashville
No. 6: “As Good as I Once Was” (From ‘Honkytonk University,’ 2005)Keith and Scotty Emerick wrote some of the singer’s most entertaining songs, including this hit from 2005. It spent six weeks atop the country charts and sold a ton of singles and albums. The story is one anybody over the age of 30 can relate to — a slightly self-deprecating lyric that couldn’t have come at a better time for a singer who some felt was beginning to take himself a little too seriously.
Cover of Toby Keith’s How Do You Like Me Now? album
Dreamworks Nashville
No. 5: “How Do You Like Me Now?” (From ‘How Do You Like Me Now?,’ 1999)Beginning in 1999, Keith put up No. 1 hits like Michael Jordan put up layups. Eleven of 13 songs topped the country chart, including this title track from the How Do You Like Me Now?! album. He needed the lift, as previous singles had failed to attract attention from fans or radio (“When Love Fades,” anyone?). This one’s not only a great story about the underdog having his moment to throw success in the face of all who’ve doubted him, it’s also a song that re-energized Keith’s career. One could argue it’s the most important Toby Keith song that’s been released, if not the best.
Cover of Toby Keith’s American Ride album
Show Dog Nashville
No. 4: “Cryin’ for Me” (From ‘American Ride,’ 2009)With “Cryin’ for Me,” it felt like, for the first time in six years, they had a song that peeled the curtain back on Keith’s soul. The track was written after Keith’s dear friend Wayman Tisdale died, and after a string of more disposable singles like “She’s a Hottie,” this song felt like a jolt of honesty. Early in Keith’s career, it was easy to find examples of this sort of emotion, so even though this song didn’t top charts or sell a million singles, its artistic merits are enough to clear a spot on our Top 20 Toby Keith Songs list.
Cover of Toby Keith’s 35 Biggest Hits album
Showdog Nashville
No. 3: “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” (From ‘Toby Keith,’ 1993)Keith’s debut single not only went straight to No. 1, it also became the most-played song of the ’90s. “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” began a career that would become one of the most successful in country music history. The song is still heard on country radio stations across America today, and it was never uncommon for Keith to bring it to his live show.
Picture of Toby Keith performing “Don’t Let the Old Man In”
Katherine Bomboy, Getty Images
No 2: “Don’t Let the Old Man In” (From ‘Greatest Hits: The Showdog Years,’ 2019)You could make an argument for “Don’t Let the Old Man In” as Toby Keith’s very best song, but we’ll not decide these kinds of things while grieving. The ballad was written and recorded for The Mule, a movie starring Keith’s friend Clint Eastwood. It took on a new meaning when — amid his cancer battle — he performed it at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards.
Picture of Toby Keith from the “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” music video
Dreamworks Nashville
No. 1: “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” (From ‘Unleashed,’ 2002)The best songs come quickly, and this career-defining hit from Toby Keith is said to have taken only 20 minutes to write. Keith was inspired by the death of his father and the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and the very first time he performed “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” at a live show, fans went nuts. It went on to become his biggest hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, his first Gold single and, now, the No. 1 tune on our list of the Top 20 Toby Keith Songs.Read More: Remember When Toby Keith Recorded a Monday Night Football Opener? | https://tasteofcountry.com/toby-keith-monday-night-football-opener/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
