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.
sundown
Toby Keith Lyrics
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In a room where you do what you don't confess
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you've been creepin' 'round my back stairs
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you've been creepin' 'round my back stairs
And she don't always say what she really means
Sometimes I think it's a shame
When I get feelin' better, when I'm feelin' no pain
Sometimes I think it's a shame
When I get feelin' better, when I'm feelin' no pain
Y'all can probably sing this thing, can't you?
I can picture every move that a man can make
Gettin' lost in a woman is your first mistake
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you've been creepin' 'round my back stairs
Sometimes I think it's a sin
When I feel like I'm winnin' when I'm losin' again
I can see her lookin' fast in her faded jeans
She's a hard lovin' woman, got me feelin' mean
Sometimes I think it's a shame
When I get feelin' better, when I'm feelin' no pain
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you've been creepin' 'round my back stairs
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you've been creepin' 'round my back stairs
Sometimes I think it's a sin
When I feel like I'm winnin' when I'm losin' again
The lyrics in Toby Keith's song Sundown, tell the story of a man who suspects his woman is cheating on him. He can picture her lying in a satin dress in a room where secrets are kept. He warns Sundown to take care, that if he finds him creeping around his back stairs, there will be consequences. The woman in question is described as looking like a queen in a sailor's dream but not always saying what she means.
The man realizes sometimes it's a shame, that when he's feeling better and no longer in pain, he's still losing. He can imagine every move a man can make when getting lost in a woman, knowing it's a mistake. He describes the woman as fast in her faded jeans, a hard loving woman who has him feeling mean. The song ends with another warning for Sundown to take care, as the man continues to feel like he's winning and losing at the same time.
Overall, the lyrics of Sundown portray a man grappling with the betrayal of his woman, warning those who may try to follow in Sundown's footsteps. The imagery used throughout the song paints a vivid picture of a man drowning in the pain of his failed relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I can see her lyin' back in a satin dress
The singer imagines the woman lying seductively in a satin dress in a private room.
In a room where you do what you don't confess
The room in which the woman is lying is a place where people can indulge in their darkest secrets.
Sundown, you better take care
The singer issues a warning to Sundown to be cautious.
If I find you've been creepin' 'round my back stairs
If Sundown is found to be sneaking around the artist's property, he will be in trouble.
She's been lookin' like a queen in the sailor's dream
The woman exudes confidence and beauty, appearing like a regal figure in the artist's fantasies.
And she don't always say what she really means
The woman is not always honest about her words, leaving room for interpretation.
Sometimes I think it's a shame
At times, the singer feels regret or sadness.
When I get feelin' better, when I'm feelin' no pain
The artist laments that he only feels content when he is numbing himself with substances.
Y'all can probably sing this thing, can't you?
The artist acknowledges that the song is popular and widely recognized.
I can picture every move that a man can make
The artist understands the potential for men to be tempted by the woman in question.
Gettin' lost in a woman is your first mistake
The singer advises men to be cautious of becoming too entangled and invested in a woman.
Sometimes I think it's a sin
At times, the artist believes that his actions or thoughts are wrong.
When I feel like I'm winnin' when I'm losin' again
The singer feels a sense of victory that is ultimately fleeting.
I can see her lookin' fast in her faded jeans
The woman is wearing tight, worn jeans and portrays an air of sexiness and toughness.
She's a hard lovin' woman, got me feelin' mean
The woman is passionate and tempts the singer to behave in ways that are not in his normal character.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gordon Lightfoot
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind