Introduction:
Ah, Toby Keith, a name synonymous with American grit and a whole lotta twang. Now, when you think Toby Keith, your mind might jump to his later, more brash anthems, but today we’re taking a detour to a simpler time, the year 2000, to revisit a gem from his How Do You Like Me Now?! album – the infectious Country Comes To Town.
This track arrived at a turning point for Keith. He’d already established himself as a rising star in the country music scene, with hits like “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” showcasing his signature blend of rock and roll swagger with down-home Southern charm. But Country Comes To Town marked a shift – a doubling down on his country roots, a celebration of small-town life and the unpretentious joy of a weekend blowout.
The song itself is a foot-stomping, good-time anthem. It’s crafted by Keith himself, alongside producer James Stroud, a country music veteran who’d worked with the likes of Alan Jackson and Wynonna Judd. Stroud brings a polished sheen to the production, but never loses sight of the song’s heart – the unadulterated fun of a Friday night in a place where everyone knows your name.
Country Comes To Town wasn’t just a hit with fans; it became a chart-topper, reaching number four on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and even cracking the top three in Canada. This kind of crossover appeal solidified Keith’s position as a country music force to be reckoned with.
But beyond the accolades, Country Comes To Town is more than just a catchy tune. It’s a snapshot of a particular time and place in American culture. It captures the spirit of small-town America, where the biggest thrill might be a pick-up truck race or a two-stepping competition at the local honky-tonk. It’s a reminder of the simple pleasures – good company, good music, and a sense of belonging that comes from being part of a community.
So, if you’re looking for a song that’ll make you tap your foot, reminisce about simpler times, and celebrate the heart of American country music, then look no further than Country Comes To Town. It’s a Toby Keith classic, a testament to his ability to capture the essence of small-town life with a wink and a smile, all wrapped up in a package of pure, unadulterated fun.
Video:
Lyrics:
“Country Comes To Town”
I gotta hit the field
Gotta bail some hay
And I can’t let it rain on my daddy’s farm
Til I get it all stacked up high in the barnAnd I’m gonna call my baby
She’s been waiting on me
She lives down town on Sycamore Street
And the wheels on the black top
A startin’ to whine
As I pass that Oklahoma City limit sign
I’m a hayseed
And a plow boy
I’m a farm kid
And a cowboy
I’m a roughneck
My daddy was a roughneck too
I run around with hillbilly girls
The weekend sits on my hillbilly world
You better be ready when the sun goes down
That’s when country comes to town
Well her Daddy said child you better let him be
Well I don’t like him and he sire don’t like me
Momma just says ya’ll have a little fun
Ain’t doin’ nothing me and papa ain’t done
Open up the door to my pick-up truck
And my baby jumps in and she fires it up
And she gives me a kiss
As I crawl in
We’ve been waiting all week for a weekend
I’m a hayseed
And a plow boy
I’m a farm kid
And a cowboy
I’m a roughneck
My daddy was a roughneck too
I run around with hillbilly girls
The weekend sits on my hillbilly world
You better be ready when the sun goes down
That’s when country comes to town
Yeah it’s true I run around with hillbilly girls
The weekend sits on my hillbilly world
You better be ready when the sun goes down
Cause that’s when country comes to town
Here I come