Toby Keith Once Tried and Failed to Name the Best Song He Ever Wrote

Toby Keith was more than a hit-making country singer. He was also an expert songwriter. Over the course of his career, he sent 20 songs to the top of the Billboard county charts. He penned or co-penned most of those songs. As is the case with many songwriters, the Oklahoma native had a hard time picking a favorite song he’d written.

Back in 2017, Keith appeared on Rock & Roll Road Trip with Sammy Hagar. During the episode, the legendary rocker traveled to Keith’s bar in Norman, Oklahoma, and spent some time on his 160-acre ranch in the Sooner State. While there, they discussed Keith’s career and influences. During their conversation, Hagar asked Keith about the best song he’d ever written.

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Toby Keith Reflects on His Favorite Song from His Catalog

“What do you think is the best song you ever wrote, in your heart?” Sammy Hagar asked. “The most important song I ever wrote was ‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy,’” Toby Keith said. “It separated me from the nobodies to a somebody. I broke through the critical mass and had a No. 1 hit first out of the box,” he added.

“That allowed me some time for other people to research and find my music. Whereas there’s so many talented guys and girls and acts that come in and they got an album that never gets heard and they never get a second chance,” Keith explained. “You’ve got to bust through and have one that puts you on the board. So, that song was the most important one,” he added.

“The best one that I think I ever wrote could be,” Keith took a long pause to think. Hagar empathized with his position. “Every time somebody asks me, I gotta name four or five. Then, I said ‘Or maybe…’ and then, pretty soon, just say ‘Just forget it, never mind.’”

Finally, Keith said that his song “Hope on the Rocks” would be “up there.” However, he couldn’t nail down a definitive answer.

“Hope on the Rocks” was the title track and second single from Keith’s 2012 album. The track peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 29 on the publication’s Hot Country Songs chart.

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