About the Song

Toby Keith’s “If a Man Answers” is a country music song about a woman who is trying to call her ex-boyfriend. She knows that he has a new girlfriend, and she is hoping that he will answer the phone so that she can talk to him.

The song begins with the woman dialing the phone number. She is nervous and hesitant, and she takes a deep breath before she presses the call button. The phone rings several times, and then a man answers.

The woman is surprised to hear a man’s voice on the other end of the line. She asks if he is her ex-boyfriend, and he tells her that he is not. He is the new boyfriend of her ex-boyfriend’s girlfriend.

The woman is disappointed, but she is also relieved. She realizes that she does not want to talk to her ex-boyfriend after all. She hangs up the phone and tells herself that she is better off without him.

“If a Man Answers” is a song about heartbreak and loss. It is a song about the pain of letting go of someone you love. It is also a song about hope and resilience. The woman in the song realizes that she is strong enough to move on without her ex-boyfriend. She is ready to start a new chapter in her life.

The song is written in the first person, and it is sung from the perspective of the woman. The lyrics are simple and direct, and they convey the woman’s emotions in a raw and honest way. The song is set to a slow, country-style melody, and it features a simple acoustic guitar accompaniment.

“If a Man Answers” was released in 2003, and it was a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The song was written by Toby Keith and Scotty Emerick, and it was produced by Keith and James Stroud.

Toby Keith is an American country music singer and songwriter. He has released 17 studio albums, and he has had 31 Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Keith is known for his his twangy vocals and his songs about small-town life.

“If a Man Answers” is a classic country music song. It is a song about heartbreak and loss, but it is also a song about hope and resilience. The song is well-written and well-performed, and it is sure to appeal to fans of country music.

Here are some additional details about the song:

  • The song was released as the second single from Keith’s album Unleashed.
  • The song reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
  • The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Male Vocal Performance in 2004.
  • The song has been covered by a number of artists, including Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, and Luke Bryan.

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Lyrics: If A Man Answers

You said you need a little time
A little time to yourself
I’m staring down this telephone wonderin’
There might be someone elseIf a man answers when I call
I’ll just hang up I won’t say anything at all
If a man answers I know what I’ll do
I’ll lie here awake so I don’t dream about you
If a man answers this time of night
At least I’ll know somebody’s holding you tight
If a man answers I won’t call again
And I’ll know where I stand while I twist in the windOh baby I’m just missin’ you
I’m crazy still in love with you
I know my heart will break in two
If a man answers, if a man answersI just gotta tell you girl
Maybe somehow make you see
How much I want you to come back to me
But if a man answers you’ll never know
He’ll let you sleep while I let you goOh baby I’m just missin’ you
I’m crazy still in love with you
I know my heart will break in two
If a man answers, if a man answers

If a man answers you’ll never know
If a man answers I’ll let you go
If a man answers this time of night
If a man answers he’s holding you tight

If a man answers, if a man answers
If a man answers, if a man answers
If a man answers, oh if a man answers
If a man answers, if a man answers

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