Toby Keith: Pull My Chain Yanks Some Big Success

Toby Keith has been making platinum-selling albums and consistent radio hits since 1992. However, it wasn't until his new record deal with DreamWorks Records, and 1999's release of How Do You Like Me Now that his well-deserved recognition began. The title track of the release topped the charts for weeks! And, his very first awards, Top Male Vocalist and Song of the Year soon followed, as well as being cast for the 10-10-220 commercials!

The man with the unmistakable baritone recently released his eighth album (second on DreamWorks). And, Pull My Chain is a great follow-up, with just as much attitude as its predecessor.

By far, the gem on this album is "I Wanna Talk About Me," and it is currently burning up the airwaves. The quick-witted country-rap song is similar to a past hit, "Getcha Some." It is fun to try to learn the clever, fun and punchy lyrics like, "We talk about your skin and the dimples on your chin, and the polish on your toes and the run in your hose..."

The first single, "I'm Just Talkin' About Tonight" is a fun barroom song about a classic situation. A guy wants to pick up a girl for the night, no strings attached: "I'm not talking 'bout hookin' up or hangin' out, I'm just talking 'bout tonight." But the girl says, "Hold your horses, boy!" This is a very fun and upbeat song, with Keith's trademarked attitude.

The title track, metaphorically speaking, has a man giving himself canine qualities. He used to be a hound dog chasing fast cars, but he followed this girl home and now she is pulling his chain. The extremely clever metaphors in this one (like, "Now I don't even bark when kitty cats stroll through the yard") show off Keith's superb songwriting talent.

Other good tracks include "I Can't Take You Anyway" with an awesome horn section, "The Sha La La Song," and and "Pick 'Em Up and Lay 'Em Down."

The CD also produces some good ballads, but it is the upbeat songs with attitude that really show off what Keith can do. There is also bonus track, "Gimme Eight Seconds" with an almost 80's glam rock electric guitar intro, but turns into awesome southern rock.

So, the buck or two you save from dialing 10-10-220, you can use on Pull My Chain!

So, how do you like him now?