Introduction
Released in May 2005, “As Good As I Once Was” by Toby Keith quickly became a country music favorite, spending six weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. This ties it with “Beer for My Horses” as Keith’s longest-running number one hit.
The song originated from a turn of phrase. Toby Keith’s father, inspired by actor Burt Reynolds’ 1980s quote, “You know, I’m not as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was,” shared it with his son. Keith and songwriter Scotty Emerick then built a humorous song around this concept.
“As Good As I Once Was” tells the story of a man reminiscing about his glory days in a bar. He encounters twins and contemplates a wild night, then gets tangled in a bar fight to defend his friend’s pool game hustle. The lyrics playfully acknowledge his age and limitations, contrasting them with his past bravado. The song is a relatable anthem for anyone who’s ever looked back on their younger, wilder self with a smile.
The track itself is a classic honky-tonk tune, featuring a driving guitar riff and a catchy chorus. Keith’s signature vocals deliver the story with a wink and a nudge, making “As Good As I Once Was” a perfect singalong for reminiscing about the good old days, even if those days weren’t quite as good as memory serves.