Country legend Toby Keith has landed his career-high debut with his single “Old School.” The new song is the No. 1 Most Added single at the Country Format at both Mediabase and Billboard.
The song was released last week. It was written by Ryan Hurd, Maren Morris and Brett Tyler, and co-produced by Keith with Kenny Greenberg. “Old School” celebrates “small town sticking around.” The chorus is, “We’re old school / Small town sticking around just like folks used to / The good ol’ boys and girls / Falling in love / Living the life / Middle of nowhere feels about right / Keeping it old school / Just the way we like.”
According to a release from Keith’s camp, this marks 77 entries on the Billboard chart which includes 42 top 10 hits. Toby notably has 32 No. 1 singles, more than 96 million BMI performances, sold more than 40 million albums and has received more than 10 billion streams.
“When I first heard the demo, it reminded me of Steve Miller,” Keith stated. “But it had a little bit of a rap to it – not unlike the can of worms I opened years ago with ‘I Wanna Talk About Me.’ Then it’s got the coolest melodic waterfall and I was like, ‘Yeah, I gotta cut this.’”
Toby Keith Talks New Single “Happy Birthday America”
Meanwhile, Toby Keith recently discussed his other new single “Happy Birthday America.” According to the country singer, the song was written by Keith on the back of a boat after a fireworks display last year. “A buddy said, ‘Happy Fourth of July, Big Dog,’” Keith explains. “[I responded], ‘Happy birthday, America. What’s left of you.”
Keith then continues, ‘It has been a screwed up 18 months. I was seeing both [political parties] having concern over the end of democracy. We’ve fought and divided almost to the point it’s only about power and winning. Charlie Daniels had a song saying, ‘God save us all from religion,’” he explains. “And I’m thinking, God, save us all from politicians.”
Toby Keith also confirms that both “Old School” and “Happy Birthday America” are from a new full-length studio album. The country rocker is also currently nominated for induction in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He recently resumed his Country Comes To Town Tour in Arizona, Colorado, and Kansas earlier this month. He also raised another $1.4 million to help sick children and their families in Oklahoma through his OK Kids Korral.
Keith will perform the song on Fox & Friends’ Summer Concert Series on July 2nd. He is also set to host the iHeart July 4th Country Takeover Special.
