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.
Note To Self
Toby Keith Lyrics
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Better call
She'll be mad as hell
If I know her at all
'cause today's her birthday
And I almost forgot
Note to self
I better not
Note to self
On my way home
Don't forget the roses
And Dom Perignon
You know how she loves a
Great big surprise
Note to self
You're skating on thin ice
Hmm I ain't gonna screw it up this time
Hmmm I'm gonna really make her proud she's mine
Note to self
Remember when
You use to light her up
When you walked in
And she stole your breath away
That's the way it was
Everytime you kissed her
And she still does
Hmm I ain't gonna mess it up this time
Hmmmmmmm I'm gonna really make her proud she's mine
Turning down the street
I'm pulling in the drive
Door ain't lock
So I step inside
She ain't here to greet me
So what's goin on?
Note self
She's already gone
Hmmmm gone
Hmmmmmmmm gone
Hmmmmmm I guess I really messed it up this time...
Toby Keith's "Note To Self" tells the story of a man who almost forgot his wife's birthday and is rushing to make it up to her by getting her roses and champagne. The lyrics contain a warning to himself not to mess up this time and instead make her feel loved and appreciated. The song captures the sense of regret and disappointment when he returns home only to find that his wife has already left.
The lyrics express the importance of remembering special moments and showing appreciation for loved ones. It also touches on the fear of "skating on thin ice," or the danger of taking someone for granted. The final lines express the man's regret and realization that he has messed up and lost the chance to make things right.
"Note To Self" is a heartfelt reminder of the importance of treasuring our relationships and not taking them for granted. It is a cautionary tale that reminds us to take the time to show our love and affection before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Note to self
A reminder to oneself to avoid making a mistake
Better call
Pick up the phone and call her
She'll be mad as hell
She will be extremely angry
If I know her at all
Based on her personality, she will be very upset
'cause today's her birthday
It's her birthday today
And I almost forgot
I almost forgot it was her birthday
Note to self
A reminder to oneself to avoid making a mistake
I better not
I should not forget again
On my way home
While driving back home
Don't forget the roses
Remember to buy roses
And Dom Perignon
Also buy a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne
You know how she loves a
You are aware that she really enjoys
Great big surprise
A huge, unexpected gift
Note to self
A reminder to oneself to avoid making a mistake
You're skating on thin ice
You are in danger of going too far and ruining everything
Hmm I ain't gonna screw it up this time
I am determined not to make a mistake again
Hmmm I'm gonna really make her proud she's mine
I want to make her proud to be with me
Remember when
Recall a past memory
You use to light her up
You used to make her really happy
When you walked in
As soon as you arrived
And she stole your breath away
She was so beautiful it took your breath away
That's the way it was
This is how it used to be
Everytime you kissed her
Whenever you kissed her
And she still does
She still takes your breath away when you kiss her
Hmm I ain't gonna mess it up this time
I am not going to ruin it again
Hmmmmmmm I'm gonna really make her proud she's mine
I am determined to make her proud to be with me
Turning down the street
Driving down the street
I'm pulling in the drive
I am pulling into the driveway
Door ain't lock
The door is unlocked
So I step inside
I enter the house
She ain't here to greet me
She's not there to welcome me
So what's goin on?
What is happening?
Note self
A reminder to oneself to avoid making a mistake
She's already gone
She has already left
Hmmmm gone
She's really gone
Hmmmmmmmm gone
She's definitely gone
Hmmmmmm I guess I really messed it up this time...
I really messed up this time and lost her
Lyrics © Tokeco Tunes, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Dean Dillon, Scott Emerick, Toby Keith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind