Close But No Guitar – Toby Keith

Introduction:

“Close But No Guitar” by Toby Keith is a reflective track from his 1993 self-titled debut album, which blends country storytelling with themes of missed opportunities and dreams that didn’t quite materialize. The song’s narrative centers on the protagonist’s journey as a musician who never quite reaches the stardom he hoped for, symbolized by the “guitar” he longs for but never attains. Instead of achieving musical fame, the character finds himself playing in bars and living a humble life in Tupelo, while watching others, like his former love interest Dixie, rise to success.

Toby Keith masterfully conveys this sense of longing and regret through vivid, relatable imagery and his signature baritone voice. The song’s chorus, “Close but no guitar,” encapsulates the bittersweet experience of being near a dream but falling just short. The simple yet poignant lyrics resonate with anyone who has ever chased a passion only to see it remain just out of reach.

The song is a powerful reminder of the resilience needed when pursuing a dream and reflects Keith’s own early career struggles before he became a major country star. It resonates deeply with listeners who understand the feeling of “almost” making it, making “Close But No Guitar” both a personal and universal anthem.

Video:

Lyrics:

“Close But No Guitar”

I’d sing the harmonies and Dixie sang the melody
And we sing a little off key sometimes
But we had some fun, son of a gun
I wonder if I ever even cross her mindThen she ran away with Billy Bovine
He was a flat top guitar pickin’ friend o’ mine
And now I’m just sittin’ home just countin’ the stars
I got close but no guitarI got close but no guitar
She was a shooting star
Who ran off with a guitar pickin’ friend o’ mine
She’s really on her way
I hear her records every day
I got close but no guitar

I still play piano bars, still drive that same ol’ car
I live in that little shack in Tupelo
Dixie is the queen of Billboard Magazine
Playin’ ‘cross the country doin’ one night shows

A man walks up with a dollar in his hand
Says let me hear the song by Dixie and the guitar man
And as the dollar falls to the bottom of my jar
I get close but no guitar

I got close but no guitar
She was a shooting star
Who ran off with a guitar pickin’ friend o’ mine
She’s really on her way
I hear her records every day
I got close but no guitar

I got close but no guitar
She was a shooting star
Who ran off with a guitar pickin’ friend o’ mine
She’s really on her way
I hear her records every day
I got close but no guitar