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.
I've Been A Long Time Leaving
Toby Keith Lyrics
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Well, I woke up this morning, it was drizzlin' rain
Around the curve come a passenger train
Heard somebody yodel and a hobo moan
Hey, Jimmy, he dead, he been a long time gone
He been a long time gone
A long time gone
If you wanna get to heaven, gotta D-I-E
You gotta put on your coat and T-I-E
You wanna get the rabbit out the L-O-G
You gotta make a cold motion like a D-O-G
Yeah, like a D-O-G
Like a D-O-G
I got a good woman, what's the matter with me?
What makes me wanna love every woman I see?
I was triflin' when I met her, now I'm triflin' again
Every woman, she see look like a place I came in
Look like a place I came in
Place a came in
Well I got my name painted on my shirt
I ain't no ordinary dude, I don't have to work
I don't have to work
I don't have to work
I woke up this morning, it was drizzlin' rain
'Round the curve come a passenger train
Heard somebody yodel and a hobo moan
I said, Jimmy, he dead, he been a long time gone
He been a long time gone
Yeah, a long time gone
And if you wanna get to heaven, gotta D-I-E
Man, you gotta put on your coat and T-I-E
You wanna get the rabbit out the L-O-G
You gotta make a cold motion like a D-O-G
Like a D-O-G
Yeah, like a D-O-G
The song "I've Been A Long Time Leaving" by Toby Keith tells a story about a man who wakes up to a rainy morning and encounters a passenger train. He hears someone yodeling and a hobo moaning, and realizes that his friend, Jimmy, is dead and has been gone for a long time. The lyrics also touch on the theme of mortality and the journey to heaven.
The first verse illustrates the somber atmosphere of the song, with the drizzly rain and the sound of a passing train. The mention of yodeling and a hobo moaning adds a touch of melancholy to the scene. The repetition of "he been a long time gone" emphasizes the sense of loss and the passing of time.
The chorus plays with wordplay, spelling out the word "die" and presenting it as a requirement to reach heaven. The lyrics suggest that one must put on their coat and tie, and make a cold motion like a dog to achieve this goal. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the importance of proper preparation and dedication to attain a desired outcome.
The second verse introduces the singer's own personal struggles. He questions what is wrong with him, as he finds himself drawn to love every woman he sees, despite having a good woman in his life. The lyrics imply that he was unfaithful when he met his current partner and now feels the urge to cheat again. This reflects the singer's internal conflict and his struggle to remain faithful.
The final verse brings the story back to the rainy morning and the passing train. The repetition of the phrase "he been a long time gone" reminds the listener of the loss and the passage of time. The chorus is repeated once more, emphasizing the importance of preparation and making the right choices to reach heaven.
Overall, "I've Been A Long Time Leaving" showcases Toby Keith's storytelling ability, using vivid imagery and wordplay to convey themes of loss, mortality, and personal struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Incognito bandito
I am a hidden outlaw
Well, I woke up this morning, it was drizzlin' rain
When I woke up today, there was light rain falling
Around the curve come a passenger train
A train appeared as it rounded the curve
Heard somebody yodel and a hobo moan
I heard someone singing in a yodeling style while a homeless person expressed their sadness
Hey, Jimmy, he dead, he been a long time gone
I realized that Jimmy has passed away and it has been a significant amount of time since his departure
He been a long time gone
He has been absent for an extended period
A long time gone
Indeed, a considerable amount of time has passed
If you wanna get to heaven, gotta D-I-E
To reach paradise, one must experience the process of dying
You gotta put on your coat and T-I-E
It is necessary to wear a coat and tie
You wanna get the rabbit out the L-O-G
If you desire to extract the rabbit from the log
You gotta make a cold motion like a D-O-G
You must perform a chilling action resembling that of a dog
Yeah, like a D-O-G
Yes, just like a dog
I got a good woman, what's the matter with me?
Although I have a wonderful partner, what is wrong with me?
What makes me wanna love every woman I see?
What causes me to feel affection for every woman I encounter?
I was triflin' when I met her, now I'm triflin' again
I was unfaithful when I first met her, and now I am being unfaithful once again
Every woman, she see look like a place I came in
Every woman I see reminds me of a casual encounter I had
Look like a place I came in
They resemble locations where I had brief encounters
Well I got my name painted on my shirt
I have my name written on my shirt
I ain't no ordinary dude, I don't have to work
I am not an average guy, I do not need to labor
I don't have to work
Indeed, I am exempt from the need to work
I woke up this morning, it was drizzlin' rain
When I woke up today, there was light rain falling
'Round the curve come a passenger train
A passenger train arrived as it rounded the curve
Heard somebody yodel and a hobo moan
I heard someone singing in a yodeling style while a homeless person expressed their sadness
I said, Jimmy, he dead, he been a long time gone
I remarked that Jimmy is deceased and it has been a significant amount of time since his departure
Yeah, a long time gone
Indeed, a substantial period has passed
And if you wanna get to heaven, gotta D-I-E
Furthermore, to reach paradise, one must go through the process of dying
Man, you gotta put on your coat and T-I-E
My friend, it is necessary for you to wear a coat and tie
You wanna get the rabbit out the L-O-G
If you desire to extract the rabbit from the log
You gotta make a cold motion like a D-O-G
You must perform a chilling action resembling that of a dog
Like a D-O-G
Similar to a dog
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Roger Miller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind