Signed to DreamWorks Records Nashville in 1998, Keith released his breakthrough single "How Do You Like Me Now?!" in late 1999. This song, the title track to his 1999 album of the same name, was the #1 country song of 2000, and one of several chart-toppers during his tenure on DreamWorks Nashville. His next three albums, Pull My Chain, Unleashed, and Shock'n Y'all, produced three more #1's each, and all of the albums were certified 4× Platinum. A second Greatest Hits package followed in 2004, and after that, he released Honkytonk University.
When DreamWorks closed in 2005, Keith founded the label Show Dog Nashville, which merged with Universal South Records to become Show Dog-Universal Music in December 2009. He has released ten studio albums through Show Dog/Show Dog-Universal: 2006's White Trash with Money, 2007's Big Dog Daddy, 2008's That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy, 2009's American Ride, 2010's Bullets in the Gun, 2011's Clancy's Tavern, 2012's Hope on the Rocks, 2013's Drinks After Work, 2015's 35 MPH Town, 2017's The Bus Songs, and 2021's Peso in My Pocket, as well as the compilation 35 Biggest Hits in 2008. Keith also made his acting debut in 2006, starring in the film Broken Bridges, and co-starred with comedian Rodney Carrington in the 2008 film Beer for My Horses, inspired by his song of the same name. On February 5th, 2024, Toby passed away from a 3 year battle with Stomach Cancer.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Toby Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let your heart be light
From now on
Our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the yule-tide gay
From now on
Our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
Toby Keith's Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas presents itself as a somewhat melancholic song when compared to the typical cheerful Christmas classics. The opening lyrics summarise the essence of the song. It's simply a wish for a merry and bright Christmas season. The subsequent lyrics, "let your heart be light, from now on our troubles will be out of sight," imply some form of pre-existing trouble or worry, perhaps relating to the year's events. The song suggests that Christmas should be a time to set aside one's troubles and forget about them, at least for a while, which is a context that many would resonate with.
The song goes further to describe the magical nature of the festive season. The second verse begins with a nostalgic reference to the good old days, "happy golden days of yore," and contrasted with the present day, which is a much unfavourable state than the nostalgic past. However, the song goes on to invoke a sense of hope as it expresses the wish for reunion with dear and faithful friends in this Christmas season; "faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us once more."
The third verse of the song presents itself as a celebration of hope for the future. It speaks to the unstable nature of human life, "through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow," hoping that the future should present a brighter and more stable state. The song concludes with a reference to the symbolic star, "hang a shining star upon the highest bough, and have yourself a merry little Christmas now." This final line is an optimistic touch, suggesting that despite everything, one can still have a happy and bright holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Wishing you a joyous and pleasant Christmas
Let your heart be light
May you feel cheerful and free from all worries
From now on
Starting now and in the future
Our troubles will be out of sight
Our worries and difficulties will disappear or be forgotten
Make the yuletide gay
Celebrate the Christmas season in a cheerful and festive manner
Our troubles will be miles away
Our problems will be far behind and not affect us
Here we are as in olden days
We are celebrating Christmas as we used to in the past
Happy golden days of yore
Fondly remembering the joyful and carefree times gone by
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Close friends who are important and valued in our lives
Gather near to us once more
Come together with us as we celebrate Christmas
Through the years we all will be together
We will remain united and spend Christmas together for many years to come
If the fates allow
Assuming circumstances permit us to be together
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
Place a bright and radiant star on the topmost branch of the Christmas tree
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
Enjoy the rest of Christmas with happiness and joy in your heart
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind