Toby Keith - "She Never Cried In Front Of Me"

[kw9461]

Jun 26, 2008 23:13:27 GMT -5 @zaclord said:

^i expected it to do much worse than it did, because i think it is THE worst song of this decade.

I know it was kind of a dumb song, but I don't think it belongs in the Bob That Head category or anything. The video was god-awful, but I didn't think the song was THAT bad. It's far from Toby's best, but I don't know why everyone seemed to hate it that much, it was just a poor attempt at a fun song.

[somebody60]

Jun 27, 2008 1:13:11 GMT -5 kw9461 said:

Jun 26, 2008 23:13:27 GMT -5 @zaclord said:

^i expected it to do much worse than it did, because i think it is THE worst song of this decade.

I know it was kind of a dumb song, but I don't think it belongs in the Bob That Head category or anything. The video was god-awful, but I didn't think the song was THAT bad. It's far from Toby's best, but I don't know why everyone seemed to hate it that much, it was just a poor attempt at a fun song.

We're talking about "High Maintenance Woman", right? If so, I agree with you. I don't think it was even close to being one of the worst of the decade. Sure, it's not even close to being one of my favorites of the decade, but it's certainly not one of my worst (I like the song somewhat). I may be alone, but I disagree with you on the video. I actually really liked the video for the song.

Anyways, back to this song. This is definitely a new sound for Toby, and I never really expected it. As others have stated, I think it might be overproduced somewhat, and I'm curious as to how much they had to fix Toby's voice in the studio (whatever the term is) on the high notes because it doesn't sound like him on some parts (of course, I could be wrong, and they might not have done anything to Toby's voice). All that aside, I think the song is pretty good, and it is one that I think will grow on me.

[zaclord]

well i think it does deserve to be in the "Bob That Head" category. Bob That Head, Lee Brice's new song, Tim's "Suspicions", "She's A Hottie", "God Must Be Busy", "International Harvester", "Stealing Cinderella", "A Different World", "All Summer Long" are the songs from the last year or so that are impossible to listen to because they are just horrible!

[kim8]

Awww, I liked all those songs you mentioned, except Bob That Head (which after hearing on the radio several times the last few days might not be so horrible after all--yes, I am a softie I guess). I do HATE International Harvester. I will agree with you on that one :) I haven't heard Lee's all the way through enough to comment yet ;)

[Ten Pound Hammer]

Jun 27, 2008 11:21:27 GMT -5 @zaclord said:

well i think it does deserve to be in the "Bob That Head" category. Bob That Head, Lee Brice's new song, Tim's "Suspicions", "She's A Hottie", "God Must Be Busy", "International Harvester", "Stealing Cinderella", "A Different World", "All Summer Long" are the songs from the last year or so that are impossible to listen to because they are just horrible!

I don't think that too many songs are impossible to listen to. Here's my list of songs that I think are unlistenable, in no order.

*"Love Is" by Katrina Elam - I didn't know it was possible to belt louder than Martina.
*"God Only Cries" by Diamond Rio - One of the most contrived attempts at a religious themed song I've ever heard. Not to mention that the "only" is in only the most ambiguous place possible.
*"Streets of Heaven" by Sherrié Austin - the line where she basically says "hey God, you can't have my daughter, she's MINE MINE MINE" was what killed this song for me.
*"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Mark Chesnutt - Diane Warren is a horrid songwriter; how many more times could she cram the word "moment" in there? (Not to mention that Mark's voice is ill suited for big ballads.)
*"Who I Am" by Jessica Andrews - I know she was only 18, but she puts absolutely NO emotion into a song that needs it, and it sounds about as plastic as a Britney Spears song (or Spears herself for that matter).
*"Happiest Girl in the USA" by Donna Fargo - This is sugary-sweet enough to give anyone diabetes diabeetus ("skip a dee doo dah day"... ugh).
*"I Love You" by Martina McBride - Only thing worse than Martina screeching her way through a song is Martina school-girl-squeaking her way through a song. And can there be a less original song title?
*"The Way You Love Me" by Faith Hill - "If I could grant you one wish / I wish you could see the way you kiss". So she'll grant him a wish, but she gets to choose it? That makes no sense! (And the sing-song melody only makes it worse.)

Note, no Rascal Flatts or Toby Keith on my list, although I think "American Soldier" is the least inspired, most by-the-numbers soldier-theme song I've ever heard, and "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Boot up Your @$$" was one of the most blatantly flag-waving, but they're not offensive aurally.

[rockingcountry]

I absolutely cannot stand "International Harvester!" My ears bleed every time I hear it.

[kw9461]

Jun 27, 2008 14:47:50 GMT -5 @rockingcountry said:

I absolutely cannot stand "International Harvester!" My ears bleed every time I hear it.

What's with all the hate for IH? Maybe growing up on a farm in the midwest, 15 minutes from an IH factory, made me a little bias, but I really liked that song (it got VERY old after a while though). I was at a concert of Craigs about a year ago (a few months before it was released), and he played the song and the people went crazy, even though many had never heard it before.

As far as songs that I can't stand to listen to, I won't list all of them, but here are a few:

The Bumper Of My S.U.V. - Chely Wright (The only song that I truly loathe, listening to it just pisses me off and makes me want to smack the songwriters for writing it)

Unbroken - Tim McGraw (I haven't heard the song in years, so I don't even really remember why I hated it so much, but I really hated it)

If Nobody Believed In You - Joe Nichols (awful, yet predictable story, terribly cynical premise, just plain awful)

You Do Your Thing - Montgomery Gentry (lousy song to begin with, but the almost offensive video is what moves it onto this list.)

Delicious Surprise (I Believe It) - Jo Dee Messina (I know several people liked this song, but I still think it's one of the dumbest songs of all time)

[Ten Pound Hammer]

Jun 27, 2008 18:23:24 GMT -5 kw9461 said:

What's with all the hate for IH?

My guess is that most people just don't like his delivery. Screaming works if you're a punk rocker, heavy metal act, or Jeffrey Steele ("Somethin' in the Water"), but otherwise tone it down a little.

Jun 27, 2008 18:23:24 GMT -5 kw9461 said:

You Do Your Thing - Montgomery Gentry (lousy song to begin with, but the almost offensive video is what moves it onto this list.)

How was the video almost offensive? I'm curious. I almost never watch CMT.

Thanks for reminding me about "The Bumper of My SUV". I dislike that song too because of how presumptuous she is (how does she know that the bumper sticker is why she got flipped off? and then she goes and launches into a plodding, four minute rant). It's just a clumsily written song with no real purpose.

There's also "I'm Already Taken" by Steve Wariner. It starts out all right, but when he gets to the line "mommy, will you marry me?"... ugh, shudder. Creepy.

And finally, "The Little Girl" by JMM. Contrived and sappy, one of the most forced religious themes this side of "God Must Be Busy".

[bigbluenote]

Dang, so many of peoples dislikes are my favorites:

Jo Dee - Delicious Surprise
John Michael - The Little Girl
Montgomery Gentry - You Do Your Thing
Chely Wright - Bumper Of My SUV

And especially "Stays In Mexico" and "She's A Hottie". Two VERY creative songs, instrumentally, in my opinion, and two of Toby's most fun songs.

[rockingcountry]

I liked "Stays in Mexico" too. Not my favorite Toby song but not bad at all.

[kw9461]

Jun 27, 2008 19:09:50 GMT -5 Ten Pound Hammer said:

Jun 27, 2008 18:23:24 GMT -5 kw9461 said:

What's with all the hate for IH?

My guess is that most people just don't like his delivery. Screaming works if you're a punk rocker, heavy metal act, or Jeffrey Steele ("Somethin' in the Water"), but otherwise tone it down a little.

Jun 27, 2008 18:23:24 GMT -5 kw9461 said:

You Do Your Thing - Montgomery Gentry (lousy song to begin with, but the almost offensive video is what moves it onto this list.)

How was the video almost offensive? I'm curious. I almost never watch CMT.

Good point about IH, Craig is starting to get bad about his screaming (his new song is no exception), but I still liked IH.

As far as You Do Your Thing goes, the part of the video that I didn't like was when Troy gets out the truck and goes after the group of punks with his baseball bat. I thought it was done in poor taste to begin with, not to mention that it contradicts the message of the song.

[rockingcountry]

I still can't believe that Bobby Pinson wrote "She's a Hottie"!

[zaclord]

^me neither he usually writes good songs.

i also liked "Stays In Mexico" and i think that is creative but i dont see how She's A Hottie is creative.

and btw, i am really loving this song!

[S4C]

I still haven't found anyone who has said anything positive about "Mockingbird"... I must have been the only one who liked it...

[zaclord]

^yeah i hate it too

[Marv]

Getting back to the topic, this tune isn't experiencing the late week explosion in spins I expected; perhaps they'll start to pick up on Monday or Tuesday.

This is nevertheless a very good song; I hope that the CD has more quality cuts of this level.

[zaclord]

i actually have a good feeling about his next album now that i have heard this. i think Toby might have finally realized that he might actually have to put out good material to get a top 5, or even top 10 hit.

[bigbluenote]

Jun 27, 2008 21:02:20 GMT -5 S4C said:

I still haven't found anyone who has said anything positive about "Mockingbird"... I must have been the only one who liked it...

I don't know if I count cause I'm probably the biggest Toby fan on the boards. But I loved "Mockingbird". I enjoy the sound of it and the way Toby and Krystal sing it together. I understand how many people find it annoying but I think it's a very fun tune to listen to.

As of now, "Mockingbird" has 46 plays on my iTunes and I added it to my computer in January of 2005. However, I have to say that the majority of those 46 plays if from about the first month after I put it on my computer.

[dboulton]

I am very satisfied with this song which, I think, represents a welcome return of a Toby Keith power ballad from the same tradition as the wonderful You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like That and Does That Blue Moon Ever Shine On You.

This represents a change of tactic, of course, after the strategy of releasing an up-tempo lead-off song followed by a ballad that he has opted for from the last two albums - given the, at best, lukewarm reception given to She's A Hottie, I think this change is a sensible change. As I have stated before, anyone who doesn't buy Toby's albums but listens to his singles could understandably believe that his decline has been marked in the past couple of years and that he has little left in the locker when it comes material that is not on the fun-silly and lighthearted-pointless borderlines. Fortunately, he has chosen to release what (on the form of the past three albums) would probably have been left as an undiscovered album-track gem (I give you Knock Yourself Out, I've Got It Bad, I Know She Hung The Moon, Wouldn't Wanna Be Ya). It bodes well for the new album and for a rejuvenation of his still waning star.

Toby sounds great here, showing his vocal range in a way that is befitting of the song and which adds passion and authenticity to it. It will be interesting to see how radio reacts to this one, but I have a good feeling. I'm sure it will certainly please Toby's activist fans (mostly female and middle-aged, I surmise) and his broader fan base.

I don't have good history with calling where Toby's songs will end up: I predicted disaster for Love Me If You Can and year-end chart-topping success for High Maintenance Woman, for example. But if Love Me If You Can demonstrates that radio has time for Toby's softer side, I think this is a good bet to reach the top spot.

[EmersonDrive13Rocks]

I don't really see anything wrong with this discussion even though it is off topic it is interesting, informative, and is a discussion not just "flop" or "smash" or junk posts.

I haven't listened to this song yet so I'll reserve judgement until I listen to it but since it isn't one of his party songs there is a good chance I'll at least like it.

[Ten Pound Hammer]

Jun 27, 2008 21:02:20 GMT -5 S4C said:

I still haven't found anyone who has said anything positive about "Mockingbird"... I must have been the only one who liked it...

I thought Mockingbird was a fun song. I'm surprised that it tanked that badly, though. Were PDs really that gun-shy after the bottom fell out on "Stays in Mexico"? (I liked that one just fine, too. I liked the sound effects especially.)

Jun 28, 2008 1:47:32 GMT -5 dboulton said:

I am very satisfied with this song which, I think, represents a welcome return of a Toby Keith power ballad from the same tradition as the wonderful You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like That and Does That Blue Moon Ever Shine On You.

Toby has almost never disappointed with a ballad; in fact, most of my favorites are his softer songs. "A Woman's Touch". "Rock You Baby". "You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This". (You can keep "American Soldier", though.)

Jun 28, 2008 1:47:32 GMT -5 dboulton said:

Toby sounds great here, showing his vocal range in a way that is befitting of the song and which adds passion and authenticity to it.

I agree. In some parts he almost sounds like a deeper Hal Ketchum.

[zaclord]

yeah i never liked "American Soldier" either.

[rockingcountry]

Jun 28, 2008 11:43:34 GMT -5 @zaclord said:

yeah i never liked "American Soldier" either.

I third that. I've never liked it either. Something about it has always been a turn off to me.

[Ten Pound Hammer]

Jun 28, 2008 14:11:38 GMT -5 @rockingcountry said:

Jun 28, 2008 11:43:34 GMT -5 @zaclord said:

yeah i never liked "American Soldier" either.

I third that. I've never liked it either. Something about it has always been a turn off to me.

I just think that it adds nothing to the genre of soldier songs. It doesn't take a different angle like "Riding with Private Malone" or "Letters from Home", it's just overly straightforward and pretty much cliché (I'll fight, stand beside my brothers and sisters, etc. etc.).

[kw9461]

I actually thought the verses of American Soldier were pretty good; fairly understated, not overly rah-rah America (the straightforward approach worked on the verses I thought). The chorus was, as hammer said, very cliche and uninspired. It definetly wasn't as good as the other two soldier songs mentioned (and certainly not Travelin' Soldier), but I kinda liked it when it was new, although it did wear kind of fast.

[Ten Pound Hammer]

Jun 28, 2008 15:21:10 GMT -5 kw9461 said:

I actually thought the verses of American Soldier were pretty good; fairly understated, not overly rah-rah America (the straightforward approach worked on the verses I thought). The chorus was, as hammer said, very cliche and uninspired. It definetly wasn't as good as the other two soldier songs mentioned (and certainly not Travelin' Soldier), but I kinda liked it when it was new, although it did wear kind of fast.

Oh yes, how could I forget "Travelin' Soldier". Probably in my Top 10 all time favorites.

[gcizvolsfan]

Jun 28, 2008 22:28:06 GMT -5 Ten Pound Hammer said:

Jun 28, 2008 15:21:10 GMT -5 kw9461 said:

I actually thought the verses of American Soldier were pretty good; fairly understated, not overly rah-rah America (the straightforward approach worked on the verses I thought). The chorus was, as hammer said, very cliche and uninspired. It definetly wasn't as good as the other two soldier songs mentioned (and certainly not Travelin' Soldier), but I kinda liked it when it was new, although it did wear kind of fast.

Oh yes, how could I forget "Travelin' Soldier". Probably in my Top 10 all time favorites.

Travelin' Soldier is one of my top 5 favorites and easily one of this decades best songs.

Finally, a really good song from Toby....Welcome back.

[kw9461]

Jun 28, 2008 22:28:06 GMT -5 Ten Pound Hammer said:

Oh yes, how could I forget "Travelin' Soldier". Probably in my Top 10 all time favorites.

Same here. It's my second favorite song of the decade so far (behind only "These Days").

I've had a chance to listen to this song a few more times, and i must say that it is starting to grow on me. After I found White Trash to be terribly disappointing, it was going to take a really good song from Toby to get me to shell out for a new cd, but this song is well on its way to doing just that.

[rockingcountry]

I can't wait to listen to this new Toby cd! I know it'll be awesome!

[kim8]

Ouch, thumbs down review for this one over at the 9513 board:

Toby Keith - “She Never Cried In Front Of Me”
Brady Vercher | July 3rd, 2008 Email Share

Songwriters: Toby Keith and Bobby Pinson

After the clunker that was “She’s A Hottie,” Toby Keith and Bobby Pinson hook up again to bring us the first single, “She Never Cried In Front Of Me,” from Keith’s next album. While it’s not nearly as melodramatic as “It’s Not Supposed To Go Like That,” a song Pinson co-wrote on Rascal Flatts’ latest album, its attempts to convey emotion are juvenile and anything but subtle.

The important revelation in the first verse is that a tear rolled down the bride’s face. Apparently tears are the only way that the narrator can perceive emotion in others, since he wasn’t capable of realizing that he put his ex through hell when they were together or that anything was ever wrong because he never saw her cry. If it takes a tear to open his eyes, then he’s pretty much hopeless.

Apart from the shifts in perspective and changes in tense, the major problem with this song is that the lyric fleshes out too many irrelevant details that end up creating all sorts of logical fallacies. We don’t need to know that it’s 7:35 unless it’s meant to signify a defining point in the narrator’s life. If that were truly the case and he was so hung up on his ex that he couldn’t forget about her until hope was definitively lost (the exact minute of her marriage), then he most likely would have changed his ways to keep from hurting her, but as he tells us later, “Yeah, maybe I might’ve changed / It’s hard for me to say.” That admission does nothing to create a sympathetic character. Instead he tells us that the story is a sad one and it bothers him, which leaves me with that impression that he’s upset that she didn’t like him as much as he likes himself.

In addition, the production is a bit too heavy in the chorus and doesn’t properly set the mood that the song shoots for, especially the awkward bridge that sounds like Keith is prancing through an open meadow rather than upset about his “loss.” As country music continues to go after a younger audience, I expect to hear more songs like this being released.

Besides all that, the concept has been done before. Tracy Lawrence’s “I See It Now” covered similar territory with better results and you’ll notice that it doesn’t bother with irrelevant details.