Toby Keith - "God Love Her"

[rowdawg21]

Confirmed as the next single by Country Aircheck. Goes for adds November 10th.

You can watch the video here.

[warman]

I like the sound of the song, feels like old toby keith to me.

[dboulton]

In case anyone doubted it after She Never Cried In Front Of Me, this is the song that proves that Toby is back - it's not that he ever went away, in terms of being a top level songwriter, singer, and performing act, but in terms of radio singles, he was on an extremely patchy run of form. With back to back singles of this quality, his star looks set to rise again (if not to the peaks of the 2002-4 period). This is an authentically Toby-esque Toby song and one which has the perfect tempo and mood to showcase his vocal talent. On first hearing, this one bodes extremely well for the fortunes of the forthcoming album and gives him a real chance to resurrect himself as a mainstream superstar by recording two straight #1s off a strong album in the way that Alan Jackson has recently done. A great sound, good instrumentation, strong lyrics, and great vocals make this a big hit waiting to happen. As a loyal Toby fan who has cringed at the likes of She's A Hottie, I am extremely pleased and relieved to see the awesome #1 She Never Cried In Front Of Me being so ably followed up.

[leilamaurizia]

Country Universe

Single/Video Review: Toby Keith, “God Love Her”
Posted by Dan Milliken

What’s going on, Toby? Seriously, now: when one of the genre’s finest mainstream voices is stooping to tired numbers like this one, something is seriously up. “God Love Her” is an uptempo, Mellencampish toss-off about a “rebel child” preacher’s daughter who falls for a “bad boy” and - you’ll never guess it - runs off with him to her parent’s chagrin. So basically, every good-girl-gone-bad song ever plus “Whiskey Girl” plus a whole bunch of religious puns. Sweet action.

Really, though, is this the kind of song we’ve come to? Has Nashville decided country radio won’t give a fair shot to anything that doesn’t sound like it was written for turbo-hormonal minors, or has Keith just lost his sense of quality? Aside from it being absolutely ridiculous (and reasonably creepy) to have artists at his age recording odes to rebellious seventeen year-old girls, releases like this belie the quality of Keith’s legacy, which has seen material both serious and frivolous that did a heck of a lot more to establish him as an actual artist.

And that’s my big problem here: the lack of distinction. “God Love Her” sounds like something any ol’ southern rock wannabe might ship to country radio; instead, it’s coming from one of the genre’s modern greats. It’s a cheesy and overblown little piece, but it could be passable or even enjoyable coming from a younger artist, someone who’s still learning the ropes and looking for that big hit. But Keith is not that artist. He is a seasoned pro who has settled, wittingly or not, for an easy hit.


Of course, that’s taking the song out of the context of the video, which is how it’s being initially released. The pairing of the two makes a lot of sense, as the video details a few specific occurrences not mentioned explicitly in the song that lend the story a bit more weight (for example, we see our wild girl hook up with her boyfriend in church, then teach him the joys of Bible study maybe thirty seconds later). Michael Salomon’s direction is sharp and snappy as ever, capturing the song’s heartland rock pulse and comedic implications effectively.

But where both the song and video come up short is in never fully justifying the juxtaposition of “goodness” and “badness” supposedly evident in the song’s focal character (our rebellious heroine). We hear Keith assert, “yeah, me and God love her,” but the evidence that she has actually divided her attentions between both affections is relatively slim, as both song and story focus exclusively on the secular end of the situation. In other words, God might love her, but since His relationship with the girl isn’t depicted much at all in the song or video, the abrupt allusion to that relationship feels irrelevant, making the song’s play on its titular phrase seem very forced indeed.

Of course, fans may not care about such details; the effect of this joint effort remains to be seen, and there is certainly something to be said for the sense of fun imbued throughout both song and video. But watching through, I couldn’t escape the depressing sense that Toby Keith has essentially run out of important things to say. He’s never been the most consistent artist, but this release might mark the least individual personality we’ve witnessed from him in some time - and that’s what’s going to sink the ship, God help him.

Directed by Michael Salomon

Single Grade: C

Video Grade: B

[kevin59]

Listen To Song (Allaccess)

wm.allaccess.com/allaccess/tobygodl.wma

[jonathan]

I also think this is Toby Keith's comeback album. These are his two most immediate hits since "As Good As I Once Was". I've also been impressed with the previews on his website. I'm not sure if he'll be able to turn his sales slide around but he's got a shot. This sounds like a potential #1 hit to me.

[dcowboy77]

the new cd is only $7.99 at best buy....good battle next week with toby, flatts, & pink all with new cds out but pink should win easily.

[zaclord]

i love this song! i cant believe i love 2 Toby Keith songs in a row. that hasnt happened in years.

well the album leaked today, i havent heard it yet but i am expecting it to be good, based on the first 2 singles

[ajstr8tup]

Is it just me or is this WHISKEY GIRL with new lyrics? ???

[dcowboy77]

isnt every kenny chesney song a beach song with new lyrics ?
isnt every taylor swift song a love song with new lyrics ?
isnt every keith urban song a guitar riff song with new lyrics ?
isnt every billy currington song a chick song with new lyrics ?
isnt every ac/dc song a hollering screaming song with new lyrics ?

[killintime]

Oct 28, 2008 12:02:30 GMT -5 dcowboy77 said:

isnt every taylor swift song a love song with new lyrics ?

...if you listen closely to the backgrounds of her first few songs, especially toward the beginning ... Tim Mcgraw, Our Song, Should've said No, ...maybe 'Teardrops', I'm not sure,
you can distinctly hear a repeated 6-note lick that is common among all the songs.

[leilamaurizia]

Country Universe

3 out of 5 stars

Album Review: Toby Keith, That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy
Posted by Blake Boldt

As the introduction to his novel, Mother Night, Kurt Vonnegut warned, “We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.”

In country music this sentiment rings especially true, where image control is just as central to an artist’s success as the actual musical product, and Toby Keith has mastered the art of projecting a distinct identity. The Oklahoma native has reveled in his chosen niche as a rebel-rousing ambassador for in-your-face country, assisted by his presence at the forefront of the patriotic, post-9/11 movement, but this position has also overshadowed the accolades he’s earned as a top-shelf singer and songwriter. And with Keith’s increasingly visible profile came a divisive shift in terms of his public perception. His brash attitude and bold statements on the politics of everything from Nashville record labels to national security issues garnered supportive fervor and rabid furor in equal parts.

Nevertheless, a defining decade for the defiant superstar has generated tremendous success (his 14 #1 country singles is most of any artist since 2000) that’s easily matched its considerable controversy. At the beginning of the period, he’d just started his climb to the top of the country music ladder, culminating in his win for Male Vocalist of the Year at the 2001 CMA Awards. That honor stood as a testament to one of the most distinctive vocalists of his generation, capable of both emotional ballads and rowdy rockers. But as significant as his change in public image or his charge towards commercial country’s mountaintop, the slow regression of his musical output since that point is just as notable. With his new album, That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy, a number of songs are only propped up only by the larger-than-life character that he’s orchestrated, and Keith continues to explore routes that lead away from his singular skills.

In the past, Keith has excelled at honky-tonk weepers or fiddle-fueled traditional country, but on most of this self-produced set, he aims for a safe, middle ground between country and rock-and-roll rhythms. Fine uptempo moments do sprout here, allowing Keith to flash his distinctive growl. “Creole Woman” has a swampy feel that complements the tale of a devilish lass who’s tempted the typically stoic narrator, and the hard-driving “Time That It Would Take” is the perfect vehicle for Keith’s tough tenor. At times though, his talents in singing and storytelling are obscured by a streak of trite anthems that play well to the youthful audience that country music courts with increasing regularity. Keith seems overanxious to meet the needs of a neat, tidy radio audience. Likely second single “God Love Her” grasps for juvenile listeners, describing the dirty deeds of a teenage girl who explores her rebellious side. A similar tone can be found on both “You Already Love Me” and the title track, where the macho meter is at its peak and the crunching guitars show little restraint.

Keith reveals more of himself in times of distress than he ever has during his bouts of bravado, and thankfully the album isn’t completely devoid of vulnerability and clearer artistic vision. “Missing Me Some You” is an effort at soulful blues that falters slightly due to the awkward hook, but Keith’s tender vocal never eclipses the emotion. “She Never Cried in Front of Me,” the set’s first single, is a fine example of his stately approach to a ballad, and he follows that with another poignant piece, the regret-filled “Lost You Anyway.” On these slow-burning numbers, Keith shows his ability as a multi-dimensional artist who tempers his tough-guy demeanor with real heart. Still, he displays too little of the emotional weight and lyrical complexity that elevated subtler songs in the earlier stages of his career.

What’s alienated a number of traditionally-minded country music fans, as much as the change in the format’s musical production, is its lack of adult emotions and a swing towards surface-level love ballads and lightweight ditties with little artistic heft. Country music’s icons have risen to their rank through straightforward stories about the human condition, filled with happiness, heartbreak and even the occasional hangover. That remains the ultimate mettle detector in country music. Toby Keith may aspire to be a member of this elite group, but on That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy, it’s not who he pretends to be.

[rowdawg21]

This should move up 20+ spots next week, maybe from #49 to #27?

After having about 10 days to listen to this, I can say that it's probably my favorite Toby single since "As Good As I Once Was."

[S4C]

This is like... really good, considering some of the stuff he's released these past couple years (IMO, of course).

[leilamaurizia]

HDD first-week sales prediction:

Show Dog Nashville country star Toby Keith’s That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy looks to be in the 90-100k range...

[kw9461]

Given what Kenny did a few weeks ago, I'd say that's pretty good for Toby. He beat out Rascal Flatts anyway.

[austin]

Wow. This song is easily his best single in a long, long time. I expect it to shoot straight up to #1.

Yes, it sounds similar to "Whiskey Girl", but that's alright. It's as radio-ready as any Toby single in the past 5+ years.

[someguy]

This is the first Toby song I've liked in a long, long time. I agree that it sounds like "Whiskey Girl", but I thought WG was good too, so I'm glad that he's going in that direction.

[sbp17]

Yeah, two songs in a row from Toby that I like. I haven't liked one in a row from him in about five years.

[kw9461]

I finally got a chance to listen to TK's new album and I have to say, it was quite a surprise. I think it's probably Toby's best work on Show Dog, but it certainly isn't without it's faults. I just want to know where the power-ballads came from. Even pre-HDYLMN Toby picked his power-ballads wisely, but they have been all but absent from his library of late. But on this album, they take up nearly half the tracks. They aren't all bad or anything, but Toby seems out of character at times, and what's completely lost is the understated ballads that I feel Toby excels best at. You Already Love Me is really the only song on the album that fits that description (and not surprisingly, I think it's one of the standout tracks). I think he does a fine job with the upbeat stuff, and steers clear of the drinking songs that have become somewhat tiresome. The title track is clearly the standout of album. It's a fun, up-beat number that Toby doesn't oversell, plus the song sounds genuinely country (somewhat a rarity on TDMMABG). It should be the no-brainer 3rd single, and then I hope they close the album out with either Creole Woman or You Already Love Me. Overall, I'm pleased that Toby backed off the drinking and partying songs, and that some real fire and energy seems to be back in his voice, but I still miss the understated side of Toby that was prevalent on my favorite TK record, Unleashed.

[bigbluenote]

I've been listening to this album non stop since last Thursday. I feel compelled to write my opinions on it, first because Toby is my favorite male artist below King George, and second because it's an excellent and solid album.

I think this is a very good album. It is Toby's most solid effort since "Honkytonk University". However, it still doesn't compare to HU and I don't think anything he every does will compare to that masterpiece.

As with the previous poster, I am very glad he ditched the drinking, partying, etc songs. And he did go VERY ballad heavy compared to previous albums. But I've always said that I LOVE Toby's ballads, every one of them. I think he has the perfect voice and emotion for ballads. I think his most underrated one is "Crash Here Tonight". That is one of his most impressive tracks as far as I'm concerned.

I love how country this album is for the most part. Much more than his past 2 or 3 albums. I was disappointed in "White Trash With Money" after his best album "Honkytonk University", although it's still a very good album. But I was extremely disappointed in "Big Dog Daddy", probably his worst album to date. So I had pretty much low expectations for this new one, which could be why I like it so much, I wasn't expecting anything great.

The album starts off strong with the title track "That Don't Make Me A Bad Guy". Ahh, classic Toby. Very fun song and pretty dang catchy, love the steel that is prominent in it.
"Creole Woman" is another great country sounding track as is his new single "God Love Her". However, I kind of think it's a tad bit too boring and generic. But I think the lyrics make up for it.
They played "Lost You Anyway" on the radio before the album was released and I loved it from that first listen. Great lyrics, he makes you feel like he means it and has experienced this.
I think "Missing Me Some You" is the best ballad on the album. He sings it with so much conviction and power. "Even the maaaaan innnnn the moooon". The only thing is that with the horns and choir in the background, it reminds me soooo much of a Christmas song. But I love Christmas music, so it's all good.
Wait, after hearing "Hurt A Lot Worse When You Go" while I'm writing this, I think this is the best ballad on the album. Again, the way he sings it, I've always loved his ballads. Listen to how he sings "You never cut me deeeep enough to tell, you know". I like these lyrics a lot.
I LOVE "Time That It Would Take". This is a classic Toby rocker. Very fun, catchy tune.
What do you know, another ballad. "You Already Love Me" is another well written song. I like how he says how flawed he is, says that she can do better than him, but you know what? It's too late, she already loves him. Very relatable song.
Then we have, wow, another ballad. We've all heard "She Never Cried In Front Of Me". This might be my favorite ballad from the album. Hmmm.....
I love the sound of "Cabo San Lucas". I love the beach sound (especially with Billy Currington's new song "I Shall Return"). Toby's done this sound with "Stays In Mexico" and "Good To Go To Mexico". Although, I don't think they're really "beachy". More like Mariachi I guess? Oh well. I still love it.
Who knew that the last song would be... what? Yep, you know it. A ballad! This one, "I Got It For You Girl" is a good song, but probably my least favorite on the album. Maybe a tad bit overproduced? But actually come to think of it, I think most of the ballads here are a little bit overdone. Oh well.

So this is an extremely good effort from Toby and I am very pleased. However, I am extremely disappointed in its first week sales. He didn't even hit 100K! That's horrible. Hopefully that's more telling of the economy and not so much his popularity. With this being one of his best albums, it needs and deserves to be successful. It has to be heard. This is the kind of album that I think will create fans. Very good, solid music. He doesn't mess up anywhere and there are no weak tracks as far as I'm concerned.

[leilamaurizia]

The 9513

Toby Keith - “God Love Her”
Jim Malec

One of only two songs on That Don’t Make Me A Bad Guy not co-written by Bobby Pinson, “God Love Her” finds Keith doing what he does best—being a not too bad bad-boy, loving strong on the same spunky everywoman who appears in many of his narratives (think “Whiskey Girl”).

While it’s true that “God Love Her” is far from an artistic departure for Keith, one of the things that gets lost somewhere between his big mouth and his recent propensity for extreme duds like “She’s a Hottie” is the fact that the Big Dog Daddy can actually write a pretty damn solid song.

And “God Love Her” is pretty damn solid.

Solid, though neither life-changing nor earth-moving; “God Love Her” fits well beside Keith’s better material, an uptempo romp that, for better or worse, has no intention of even pretending to be your grandpa’s country music. It is mainstream to the max, designed to appeal to all those whiskey girls disguised as 9-5ers, the ones cranking up the radio while they sit stuck in the five o’clock, after-work traffic.

To the extent that “It is what it is,” however, “God Love Her” is well executed, and here Keith once again proves that he has a unique talent for conveying a sense of urgency in his songs. When he sings, “Now she holds tight to me and the bible/On the back seat of my motorcycle,” he does so with a gripping dependence, as if the only thing keeping these two people moving down the road is the fact that they’re doing so together.

“God Love Her” embraces its fair share of clichéd themes, not the least of which is the preacher’s daughter who is baptized in dirty water, and certainly the extent of this song’s separation from its country roots is a topic that is fair game. But when looking at the song in the context of its natural musical environment—commercial, radio country—it’s easy to see that Keith is capable of tapping into a pool of narrative talent that is a step beyond his peers.

Further, while “God Love Her” may not be original when compared to much of Keith’s catalog, it does paint a true and engaging portrait of the modern everywoman character which he has, to a degree, defined and shaped.

(thumbs up)

[Ten Pound Hammer]

By the way, in case anyone hasn't figured it out, that's a "thumbs up".

[bigbluenote]

^ Are you sure?

I hate it when reviewers write reviews that completely baffle me.

[leilamaurizia]

Ooops, yeah I forgot to put the "thumbs up." Adding it now...

[Ten Pound Hammer]

Nov 8, 2008 2:05:21 GMT -5 bigbluenote said:

^ Are you sure?

I hate it when reviewers write reviews that completely baffle me.

Yes, I clicked on the link, it's definitely a thumbs up review. I don't find it baffling; basically he's saying that it's not A+ material but it's still well executed for what it is. I haven't heard the song yet so I'll decline from commenting.

[dcowboy77]

i like when they give a rating # from 1-10.....of course then i usually dont even read the article & just go right to the rating but thats another story.

[wilddustin]

I like this song. One of my favorites from Toby in a long time. I also love the co-writer, Vicky McGehee. I don't think there's a song she's written or co-written that I haven't liked.

[Marv]

Well it was seven years ago this week that 'I Wanna Talk About Me' ended Tim McGraw's two-week stay @ #1 @ R&R with 'Angry All The Time', and went on to spend five weeks in the penthouse before Alan Jackson & Steve Holy suceeded him on top with similar five-week sprees on top with 'Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning?) and 'Good Morning Beautiful', respectively.

'As Good As I Once Was' was replaced @ #1 by 'In A Real Love' four years ago this week, ending Toby's six-week rampage on top.

A multi-week stay at #1 for 'God Love Her' would suit me just fine; this song flat-out cooks!!!

[musicfan_84]

This song is excellent. It has a great hook and melody... also very original content! Thumbs up Toby, that's two great songs in a row!