Picture background

About the Song

Toby Keith, a country music icon known for his anthemic songs and bravado, takes a more lighthearted approach with “My List.” Released in 2002 on his album “Pull My Chain,” the song offers a humorous glimpse into the priorities of a laid-back country character.

“My List” isn’t your typical tear-jerking ballad or rowdy party anthem. Instead, it’s a tongue-in-cheek look at the simple pleasures in life. Keith, with his signature gruff charm, sings about the things that truly matter to him: a cold beer, a loyal dog, a truck with a working radio, and of course, “a woman who understands.”

The lyrics, penned by Tim James and Rand Bishop, are filled with playful imagery and relatable experiences. Lines like “don’t need a mansion, just a place to call my own” and “don’t need a fancy car, just one that gets me down the road” capture the essence of small-town values and the importance of finding contentment in the simple things.

The song’s lighthearted tone is further accentuated by the upbeat melody. A catchy guitar riff and a driving rhythm section create a carefree atmosphere, perfectly complementing the laid-back attitude of the lyrics. Keith’s signature vocals add a touch of authenticity, making the list feel genuine and relatable.

Despite its lightheartedness, “My List” offers a subtle message about living a life true to oneself. It celebrates the importance of finding joy in the everyday and prioritizing what truly matters. The song reminds us that happiness doesn’t come from material possessions or chasing grand ambitions, but from appreciating the simple things that bring us comfort and joy.

While not one of Keith’s most critically acclaimed songs, “My List” remains a fan favorite. Its catchy melody, relatable lyrics, and lighthearted humor make it a perfect singalong anthem for a summer afternoon or a night with friends. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, the best things in life are the simplest ones.Picture background

Video 

Lyrics: My List 

Under an old brass paperweight is my list of things to do today
Go to the bank and the hardware store, put a new lock on the cellar door
I cross ’em off as I get ’em done but when the sun is set
There’s still more than a few things left I haven’t got to yetGo for a walk, say a little prayer
Take a deep breath of mountain air
Put on my glove and play some catch
It’s time that I make time for that
Wade the shore and cast a line
Look up a long lost friend of mine
Sit on the porch and give my girl a kiss
Start livin’, that’s the next thing on my listWouldn’t change the course of fate but cuttin’ the grass just had to wait
‘Cause I’ve got more important things like pushin’ my kid on the backyard swing
I won’t break my back for a million bucks I can’t take to my grave
So why put off for tomorrow what I could get done todayLike go for a walk, say a little prayer
Take a deep breath of mountain air
Put on my glove and play some catch
It’s time that I make time for that
Wade the shore and cast a line
Look up a long lost friend of mine
Sit on the porch and give my girl a kiss
Start livin’, that’s the next thing on my listRaise a little hell, laugh ’til it hurts
Put an extra five in the plate at church
Call up my folks just to chat
It’s time that I make time for that
Stay up late, then oversleep
Show her what she means to me
Catch up on all the things I’ve always missed
Just start livin’, that’s the next thing on my list

Under an old brass paperweight
Is my list of things to do today

 

You Missed

SOME FRIENDSHIPS ARE WRITTEN IN SONGS… BUT ONLY A FEW BECOME FOREVER. There was something truly magical about the friendship between Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton — a bond that went far beyond the stage, the spotlight, and the music. In country music history, few duos ever captured the beauty of genuine connection the way they did. Their voices blended perfectly, but it was their friendship, respect, and love for each other that made every performance unforgettable. In 2013, they gave the world one final reminder of that special bond with “You Can’t Make Old Friends.” Nearly three decades after “Islands in the Stream” became a timeless classic, Kenny and Dolly returned together to create a song that felt less like a performance and more like a heartfelt conversation between two lifelong friends. Now, that song carries an even deeper meaning. Kenny Rogers left us in 2020… and today, the world says goodbye to Dolly Parton — two extraordinary souls who brought warmth, comfort, and joy to millions through their music. They were more than country music legends. They were storytellers, dreamers, and reminders that the greatest treasures in life are the friendships we build along the way. You can create many songs. You can create many memories. But **you can’t make old friends.** Some friendships are too special to disappear. They live forever in the melodies, the memories, and the hearts of everyone who was lucky enough to witness them. Rest peacefully, Kenny. Rest peacefully, Dolly. Thank you for giving us a lifetime of music, love, and unforgettable moments. The harmony you created together will continue to play forever.

Before he ever stepped up to center stage under his own name, Cal Smith spent years standing quietly in the shadows as a sideman, playing guitar behind country legend Ernest Tubb. Born Calvin Shofner in Oklahoma and raised in California, he paid his dues in clubs and on radio before joining the Texas Troubadours in the early 1960s, watching other stars soak up the applause while his own solo ambitions moved at a crawl. By 1972, Smith was well into his late thirties with little more than modest chart placings to show for his efforts. Everything flipped when fellow songwriter Bill Anderson handed him “The Lord Knows I’m Drinking,” a sharp track about a man taking heat from a churchgoer whose own hands weren’t exactly clean. The single struck a nerve, shooting straight to No. 1. The true lightning strike arrived soon after. In December 1973, Smith walked into Bradley’s Barn to lay down Don Wayne’s “Country Bumpkin.” Tracing an ordinary man’s journey through marriage, children, and the devastating loss of his wife, the song packed an entire lifetime into a few poignant verses and climbed to the top of the charts in 1974. The accolades poured in, sweeping Single Record and Song of the Year at the ACM Awards, alongside a CMA Song of the Year honor for the writing. Smith quickly proved he wasn’t a one-hit wonder by following up with another chart-topper, “It’s Time to Pay the Fiddler.” After more than a decade of holding down the rhythm section for everyone else, Cal Smith’s long-delayed moment in the sun finally arrived—forever stamping his voice onto one of the defining country anthems of the 1970s.