
Feature Photo: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
Toby Keith Covel grew up in Clinton, Oklahoma, before moving with his family to Moore, Oklahoma. His early years were shaped by summers spent at his grandmother’s supper club in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he first picked up a guitar at age eight and joined the local bandstand. He graduated from Moore High School and worked as a derrick hand in the local oil fields while playing part-time in his bar band, Easy Money.
His move toward music began as the Oklahoma oil boom faded in the early 1980s. After a brief attempt at semi-pro football, he dedicated himself full-time to performing at roadhouses across Oklahoma and Texas. Keith’s persistence paid off in 1993 when he signed with Mercury Nashville and released his debut single “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” which hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and became the most-played country song of the 1990s.
Between 1993 and 2021, Keith released 21 studio albums, alongside two Christmas albums and five compilations. His early albums like Toby Keith and Boomtown were certified gold or platinum. By the late 1990s, How Do You Like Me Now?! (1999) became a breakthrough—its title track named 2000’s top country single, while the album marked his first foray past pop charts and secured multi-platinum status.
In the early 2000s, Keith dominated country radio with albums like Pull My Chain (2001), Unleashed (2002), and Shock’n Y’all (2003), each earning quadruple platinum or better. He amassed 20 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s country chart, including “Beer for My Horses” (a duet with Willie Nelson), “As Good as I Once Was,” and “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” the latter stirring controversy yet resonating deeply with post-9/11 patriotic sentiment.
His singles catalog includes storytelling hits such as “He Ain’t Worth Missing,” “Wish I Didn’t Know Now,” “Who’s That Man,” “I Love This Bar,” and the viral comedic hit “Red Solo Cup,” released in 2011. “Red Solo Cup” crossed into mainstream pop culture despite—or perhaps because of—its tongue-in-cheek lyrics, becoming one of his final crossover hits.
Keith’s songwriting prowess earned him induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015. He received seven Grammy nominations and multiple CMA and ACM awards, including Male Vocalist and Album of the Year (2001, 2002). In 2021, he and Ricky Skaggs were honored with the National Medal of Arts by President Trump, further recognizing his cultural impact.
Beyond music, Keith had entrepreneurial instincts. He founded Show Dog Nashville in 2005, later merged into Show Dog–Universal, giving recording autonomy to himself and artists like Trace Adkins and Phil Vassar. He also opened the “I Love This Bar & Grill” restaurant chain, which paid homage through namesake hit.
Keith’s lifelong ties to service included 18 USO tours to support U.S. troops, drawing praise for his unwavering dedication to military outreach. In 2006 and 2008, he expanded into film, starring in Broken Bridges and co-writing and acting in Beer for My Horses, aligning his musical persona with cinematic storytelling.
After announcing a stomach cancer diagnosis in 2022, Keith continued to perform, including a December 2023 Las Vegas concert and a stirring appearance at the People’s Choice Country Awards. He died in February 2024 at age 62 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame just hours later. His death prompted a surge in sales and renewed chart attention for his greatest hits.
By the time of his passing, Keith had sold over 30 million albums in the U.S. and charted 61 Hot Country singles. Beyond his chart credentials, he is remembered for his bold patriotism, blue-collar roots, humor, and unwavering creative control, qualities that earned him a devoted fan base and enduring influence on country music.
Complete List Of Toby Keith Songs From A to Z
- 10 Foot Pole – 35 MPH Town – 2015
- 11 Months And 29 Days – Bullets in the Gun – 2010
- 35 MPH Town – 35 MPH Town – 2015
- Ain’t Breakin’ Nothin’ – Bullets in the Gun – 2010
- Ain’t It Just Like You – Unleashed – 2002
- Ain’t No Right Way – White Trash with Money – 2006
- Ain’t No Thang – Toby Keith – 1993
- A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action – Toby Keith – 1993
- A Little Too Late – White Trash with Money – 2006
- American Ride – American Ride – 2009
- American Soldier – Shock’n Y’all – 2003
- Are You Feelin’ Me? – American Ride – 2009
- As Good as I Once Was – Honkytonk University – 2005
- A Woman’s Touch – Blue Moon – 1996
- Baddest Boots – Shock’n Y’all – 2003
- Ballad of Balad – American Ride – 2009
- Beautiful Stranger – 35 MPH Town – 2015
- Before We Knew They Were Good – Drinks After Work – 2013
- Beers Ago – Clancy’s Tavern – 2011
- Beers Ago (Jason Nevins remix) – Hope on the Rocks – 2012
- Beer for My Horses – Unleashed – 2002
- Big Blue Note – Honkytonk University – 2005
- Big Dog Daddy – Big Dog Daddy – 2007
- Big Ol’ Truck – Boomtown – 1994
- Blue Bedroom – How Do You Like Me Now?! – 1999
- Boomtown – Boomtown – 1994
- Brand New Bow – White Trash with Money – 2006
- Bullets in the Gun – Bullets in the Gun – 2010
- Burnin’ Moonlight – Big Dog Daddy – 2007
- Cabo San Lucas – That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy – 2008
- Call a Marine – Drinks After Work – 2013
- Can’t Buy You Money – White Trash with Money – 2006
- Chill-Axin’ – Clancy’s Tavern – 2011
- Chuckie’s Gone – Drinks After Work – 2013
- Chug-a-Lug – Bullets in the Gun – 2010
- Clancy’s Tavern – Clancy’s Tavern – 2011
- Close but No Guitar – Toby Keith – 1993
- Closin’ Time at Home – Blue Moon – 1996
- Club Zydeco Moon – Clancy’s Tavern – 2011
- Cold Beer Country – Hope on the Rocks – 2012
- Country Comes to Town – How Do You Like Me Now?! – 1999
- Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American) – Unleashed – 2002
- Crash Here Tonight – White Trash with Money – 2006
- Creole Woman – That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy – 2008
- Cryin’ for Me (Wayman’s Song) – American Ride – 2009
- Daddy Mac – Toby Keith – 1993
- Days I Shoulda Died – Peso in My Pocket – 2021
- Die with Your Boots On – How Do You Like Me Now?! – 1999
- Does That Blue Moon Ever Shine on You – Blue Moon – 1996
- Do I Know You (Bottom of My Heart) – How Do You Like Me Now?! – 1999
- Don’t Leave, I Think I Love You – Shock’n Y’all – 2003
- Double Wide Paradise – Dream Walkin’ – 1997
- Dream Walkin’ – Dream Walkin’ – 1997
- Drinks After Work – Drinks After Work – 2013
- Drive It on Home – Bullets in the Gun – 2010
- Drunk Americans – 35 MPH Town – 2015
- Every Dog Has Its Day – American Ride – 2009
- Every Night – Blue Moon – 1996
- Every Time I Drink I Fall in Love – 35 MPH Town – 2015
- Forever Hasn’t Got Here Yet – Pull My Chain – 2001
- Get Drunk and Be Somebody – White Trash with Money – 2006
- Get Got – Hope on the Rocks – 2012
- Get My Drink On – Big Dog Daddy – 2007
- Get Out of My Car – Bullets in the Gun – 2010
- Get Out of My Car (live) – Hope on the Rocks – 2012
- Gimme 8 Seconds – Pull My Chain – 2001
- God Love Her – That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy – 2008
- Good Gets Here – 35 MPH Town – 2015
- Good to Go to Mexico – Unleashed – 2002
- Grain of Salt – White Trash with Money – 2006
- Growing Up Is a Bitch – Peso in My Pocket – 2021
- Gypsy Driftin’ – American Ride – 2009
- Haggard, Hank & Her – 35 MPH Town – 2015
- Happy Birthday America – Peso in My Pocket – 2021
- Hard Way to Make an Easy Living – Drinks After Work – 2013
- Haven’t Had a Drink All Day – Hope on the Rocks – 2012
- Haven’t Seen the Last of You – Hope on the Rocks – 2012
- He Ain’t Worth Missing – Toby Keith – 1993
- Heart to Heart (Stelen’s Song) – How Do You Like Me Now?! – 1999
- Hello – Blue Moon – 1996
- Hell No – White Trash with Money – 2006
- High Maintenance Woman – Big Dog Daddy – 2007
- High Time (You Quit Your Low Down Ways) – Clancy’s Tavern – 2011
- Hit It – Big Dog Daddy – 2007
- Hold You, Kiss You, Love You – How Do You Like Me Now?! – 1999
- Honkytonk U – Honkytonk University – 2005
- Hope on the Rocks – Hope on the Rocks – 2012
- How Do You Like Me Now?! – How Do You Like Me Now?! – 1999
- Huckleberry – Unleashed – 2002
- Hurt a Lot Worse When You Go – That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy – 2008
- I Ain’t Already There – White Trash with Money – 2006
- I Can’t Take You Anywhere – Pull My Chain – 2001
- I Don’t Understand My Girlfriend – Dream Walkin’ – 1997
- If I Had One – American Ride – 2009
- If I Was Jesus – Shock’n Y’all – 2003
- If You’re Tryin’ You Ain’t – American Ride – 2009
- I Got It Bad – Honkytonk University – 2005
- I Got It for You Girl – That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy – 2008
- I Know a Wall When I See One – How Do You Like Me Now?! – 1999
- I Know She Hung the Moon – Big Dog Daddy – 2007
- I Like Girls That Drink Beer – Hope on the Rocks – 2012
- I’ll Probably Be Out Fishin’ – Drinks After Work – 2013
- I’ll Still Call You Baby – Toby Keith – 1993
- I Love This Bar – Shock’n Y’all – 2003
- I’m Just Talkin’ About Tonight – Pull My Chain – 2001
- I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying – Dream Walkin’ – 1997
- In a Couple of Days – Bullets in the Gun – 2010
- In Other Words – Boomtown – 1994
- I Need to Hear a Country Song – Clancy’s Tavern – 2011
- Is That All You Got – Bullets in the Gun – 2010
- It’s All Good – Unleashed – 2002
- It Works for Me – Unleashed – 2002
- I’ve Been a Long Time Leaving (But I’ll Be a Long Time Gone) – Bullets in the Gun – 2010
- I Wanna Talk About Me – Pull My Chain – 2001
- I Won’t Let You Down – Clancy’s Tavern – 2011
- Jacky Don Tucker (Play by the Rules, Miss All the Fun) – Dream Walkin’ – 1997
- Just Another Sundown – Clancy’s Tavern – 2011
- Just the Guy to Do It – Honkytonk University – 2005
- Kissin’ in the Rain – Bullets in the Gun – 2010
- Knock Yourself Out – Honkytonk University – 2005
- Last Living Cowboy – Drinks After Work – 2013
- Life Was a Play (The World a Stage) – Boomtown – 1994
- Little Miss Tear Stain – Drinks After Work – 2013
- Live Introduction by Toby Keith of ‘Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American) – Unleashed – 2002
- Loaded – American Ride – 2009
- Losing My Touch – Unleashed – 2002
- Lost You Anyway – That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy – 2008
- Love Me If You Can – Big Dog Daddy – 2007
- Lucky Me – Blue Moon – 1996
- Made in America – Clancy’s Tavern – 2011
- Mama Come Quick – Toby Keith – 1993
- Margaritaville – Drinks After Work – 2013
- Me Too – Blue Moon – 1996
- Memphis – Clancy’s Tavern – 2011
- Missed You Just Right – Hope on the Rocks – 2012
- Missing Me Some You – That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy – 2008
- My List – Pull My Chain – 2001
- New Orleans – How Do You Like Me Now?! – 1999
- Nights I Can’t Remember, Friends I’ll Never Forget – Shock’n Y’all – 2003
- No Honor Among Thieves – Boomtown – 1994
- Note to Self – White Trash with Money – 2006
- Oklahoma Breakdown – Peso in My Pocket – 2021
- Old Me Better – Peso in My Pocket – 2021
- Old School – Peso in My Pocket – 2021
- Peso in My Pocket – Peso in My Pocket – 2021
- Pick ‘Em Up and Lay ‘Em Down – Pull My Chain – 2001
- Pull My Chain – Pull My Chain – 2001
- Pump Jack – Big Dog Daddy – 2007
- Red Solo Cup – Clancy’s Tavern – 2011
- Red Solo Cup (Johnny Mac remix) – Hope on the Rocks – 2012
- Rock You Baby – Unleashed – 2002
- Rodeo Moon – Unleashed – 2002
- Rum Is the Reason – 35 MPH Town – 2015
- Runnin’ Block – White Trash with Money – 2006
- Sailboat for Sale – 35 MPH Town – 2015
- Scat Cat – Hope on the Rocks – 2012
- Shambala – Clancy’s Tavern – 2011
- She Ain’t Hooked on Me No More – Honkytonk University – 2005
- She Left Me – Honkytonk University – 2005
- She Never Cried in Front of Me – That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy – 2008
- She Only Gets That Way with Me – How Do You Like Me Now?! – 1999
- She Ran Away with a Rodeo Clown – Dream Walkin’ – 1997
- She’s Drinkin’ Again – Peso in My Pocket – 2021
- She’s Gonna Get It – Blue Moon – 1996
- She’s Perfect – Blue Moon – 1996
- Should’ve Been a Cowboy – Toby Keith – 1993
- Show Me What You’re Workin’ With – Drinks After Work – 2013
- Shut Up and Hold On – Drinks After Work – 2013
- Somewhere Else – Bullets in the Gun – 2010
- Some Kinda Good Kinda Hold on Me – Toby Keith – 1993
- South of You – Clancy’s Tavern – 2011
- Strangers Again – Dream Walkin’ – 1997
- Sundown – Bullets in the Gun – 2010
- Sweet – Shock’n Y’all – 2003
- Take a Look at My Heart – Peso in My Pocket – 2021
- That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy – That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy – 2008
- The Critic – Shock’n Y’all – 2003
- The Lonely – Blue Moon – 1996
- The Other Side of Him – Drinks After Work – 2013
- The Sha La La Song – Pull My Chain – 2001
- The Size I Wear – Hope on the Rocks – 2012
- The Taliban Song – Shock’n Y’all – 2003
- That’s Not How It Is – Unleashed – 2002
- Think About You All of the Time – Bullets in the Gun – 2010
- Thunderbird – Peso in My Pocket – 2021
- Tender as I Wanna Be – American Ride – 2009
- Time for Me to Ride – Shock’n Y’all – 2003
- Time That It Would Take – That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy – 2008
- Tired – Dream Walkin’ – 1997
- Too Far This Time – White Trash with Money – 2006
- Tossin’ and Turnin’ – Toby Keith – 1993
- Trailerhood – Bullets in the Gun – 2010
- Truck Drivin’ Man – Clancy’s Tavern – 2011
- Tryin’ to Fall in Love – Clancy’s Tavern – 2011
- Tryin’ to Matter – Pull My Chain – 2001
- Under the Fall – Toby Keith – 1993
- Upstairs Downtown – Boomtown – 1994
- Valentine – Toby Keith – 1993
- Victoria’s Secret – Boomtown – 1994
- Walk It Off – Big Dog Daddy – 2007
- Weed with Willie – Shock’n Y’all – 2003
- We Were in Love – Dream Walkin’ – 1997
- What She Left Behind – 35 MPH Town – 2015
- When Love Fades – How Do You Like Me Now?! – 1999
- Where You Gonna Go – Honkytonk University – 2005
- Whiskey Girl – Shock’n Y’all – 2003
- Whiskey Girl (live) – Hope on the Rocks – 2012
- White Rose – Big Dog Daddy – 2007
- Whole Lot More Than That – Drinks After Work – 2013
- Who’s That Man – Boomtown – 1994
- Who’s Your Daddy? – Unleashed – 2002
- Wish I Didn’t Know Now – Toby Keith – 1993
- Woke Up on My Own – American Ride – 2009
- Woman Behind the Man – Boomtown – 1994
- Wouldn’t Wanna Be Ya – Big Dog Daddy – 2007
- You Ain’t Alone – Hope on the Rocks – 2012
- You Ain’t Leavin’ (Thank God Are Ya) – Honkytonk University – 2005
- You Ain’t Much Fun – Boomtown – 1994
- You Already Love Me – That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy – 2008
- You Can’t Read My Mind – American Ride – 2009
- You Caught Me at a Bad Time – Honkytonk University – 2005
- You Didn’t Have as Much to Lose – Pull My Chain – 2001
- You Don’t Anymore – Dream Walkin’ – 1997
- You Leave Me Weak – Pull My Chain – 2001
- You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This – How Do You Like Me Now?! – 1999
- Your Smile – Honkytonk University – 2005
- Yesterday’s Rain – Pull My Chain – 2001
- Yet – Dream Walkin’ – 1997
Albums
Toby Keith (1993): 13 songs
Boomtown (1994): 10 songs
Blue Moon (1996): 10 songs
Dream Walkin’ (1997): 11 songs
How Do You Like Me Now?! (1999): 12 songs
Pull My Chain (2001): 13 songs
Unleashed (2002): 13 songs
Shock’n Y’all (2003): 12 songs
Honkytonk University (2005): 12 songs
White Trash with Money (2006): 12 songs
Big Dog Daddy (2007): 11 songs
That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy (2008): 11 songs
American Ride (2009): 12 songs
Bullets in the Gun (2010): 14 songs
Clancy’s Tavern (2011): 15 songs
Hope on the Rocks (2012): 14 songs
Drinks After Work (2013): 13 songs
35 MPH Town (2015): 10 songs
Peso in My Pocket (2021): 10 songs
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