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Introduction:

Alright, folks, gather ’round and let’s talk about a song that might surprise some of you coming from the one and only Toby Keith. Released in (year unknown, but likely between 1993 and 2024), “Time That It Would Take” isn’t your typical Toby Keith anthem. This ain’t a truck song, a patriotic ballad, or a rowdy barroom singalong. No sir, this one’s a bit deeper, a bit more personal.

Now, Toby Keith, that’s a name synonymous with American country music. A singer-songwriter with a voice as rough and tumble as Oklahoma where he hails from, Keith built his career on songs that celebrated the American way of life – hard work, small towns, blue-collar pride. Hits like “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” and “How Do You Like Me Now?!” cemented his image as a man’s man, a champion of the working class with a rebellious streak. He wasn’t afraid to stir the pot, tackling political issues head-on in songs like “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)”.

But with “Time That It Would Take”, Keith takes a different turn. We don’t have credits confirmed, but you can likely bet Keith had a hand in writing this one, just like many of his signature tunes. This song dives into a more introspective space, exploring themes of regret, redemption, and the complexities of relationships.

While details are scarce, “Time That It Would Take” didn’t seem to achieve the same chart-topping success as some of Keith’s other hits. It might not be the first song you think of when you hear his name. However, for those who dig a little deeper into his vast discography, this track offers a glimpse into a different side of the country music icon. It shows a man grappling with his past, acknowledging his mistakes, and yearning for a chance to make things right.

So, if you’re familiar with Toby Keith’s usual brand of rowdy country anthems, then “Time That It Would Take” might come as a surprise. But for those who appreciate an artist willing to explore different facets of life and love, this song is a hidden gem in Keith’s vast catalogue. It’s a testament to his ability to connect with his audience not just through bravado and celebration, but also through vulnerability and a yearning for a second chance. So, put on your headphones, crank up the volume, and prepare to hear a different side of Toby Keith.

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Lyrics:

“Time That It Would Take”

Forget about my crazy days
Forget about my checkered past
What’s all this Interrogatin?
Baby, forget about that
You don’t want to ask no questions
You don’t know the answers to
You might wish that I was lying
Once you heard the brutal truth
I can think a thousand things i’d rather do with youIn the time that it would take me to explain the way I am
Honey I could be well on my way to being your new man
We could waste the day away digging up my buried bones
Or you could turn it up and shake it, shake it all night long
I could rationalize and apologize and justify my way right in your door
But in the time that it would take me to tell you where i’ve been
Honey I could take you places you ain’t never been before

Yeah come on girl now don’t you judge me
Come on girl cut me some slack
Once I get you where i’m going baby you’ll come on back
You and me are gas and matches
You and me could take this town
Light it up and get her smokin’
You and me could burn it down
Or you could get all hung up on
How much i’ve been around

In the time that it would take me to explain the way I am
Honey I could be well on my way to being your new man
We could waste the day away digging up my buried bones
Or you could turn it up and shake it, shake it all night long
I could rationalize and apologize and justify my way right in your door
But in the time that it would take me to tell you where i’ve been
Honey I could take you places you ain’t never been before

Yeah In the time that it would take me to explain the way I am
I could be well on my way to being your new man
We could waste the day away digging up my buried bones
Or you could turn it up and shake it, shake it all night long
I could rationalize and apologize and justify my way right in your door
But in the time that it would take me to tell you where i’ve been
Honey I could take you places you ain’t never been before