Introduction
“As Good as I Once Was” is a notable song by American country music artist Toby Keith, released in May 2005 as the second single from his album Honkytonk University. Co-written by Keith and his frequent collaborator Scotty Emerick, the song quickly became one of Keith’s most successful tracks, resonating with audiences for its humorous and relatable take on aging and masculinity.
The song’s narrative centers on a middle-aged man who acknowledges that while he may not possess the vigor of his youth, he can still rise to the occasion when necessary. This theme is humorously illustrated through scenarios where the protagonist is propositioned by a pair of twins and later finds himself defending a friend in a bar fight. The catchy chorus encapsulates this sentiment: “I ain’t as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was.”
Upon its release, “As Good as I Once Was” achieved significant commercial success. It debuted at number 37 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks and eventually reached the number one spot, where it remained for six consecutive weeks. This achievement tied it with Keith’s 2003 single “Beer for My Horses” as his longest-running number-one hit.
The accompanying music video, directed by Michael Salomon, premiered on CMT on May 16, 2005. It closely follows the song’s narrative, featuring Keith encountering various humorous situations that test his youthful bravado, ultimately leading to a lighthearted conclusion that underscores the song’s theme.
Critically, the song was well-received. Matt Bjorke of About.com praised it, stating, “the song is a good one, so good that it rivals anything off of Toby’s ‘How Do You Like Me Now?!’ album. It’s a fun track about getting older, and how we don’t have as much ‘energy’ as we once had.” Sputnik Music described it as “a testament to how much old age sucks,” while AllMusic highlighted its “wonderfully self-deprecating” nature.
Over the years, “As Good as I Once Was” has solidified its place as one of Toby Keith’s signature songs, celebrated for its blend of humor, relatability, and classic country storytelling.