About The Song
In 2005, Toby Keith released “As Good As I Once Was” as the second single off his album Honkytonk University. Toby Keith co-wrote “As Good As I Once Was” with his great friend and songwriting partner, country music artist Scotty Emerick. It tells the story of a middle-aged man whose masculinity was put to the test when he visited a bar with his friends – wherein he found himself getting hit on by twins and fighting red-neck boys to help his best friend. While he knows his glory days have long been over, and the endurance he has now is far from what he got when he was younger, rest assured he’s as good as he once was.
“As Good As I Once Was” was accompanied by a music video that got fans laughing out loud. Keith’s character took Viagra with the hopes of scoring with two hot twins – only to see that one of them is short on looks and is even missing a tooth.
But the most hilarious part came in slow-motion, where a huge man sends Keith flying with just a single punch. The short clip ends with the country singer admitting that he’s no longer as good as he once was, and that’s the cold, hard truth.
According to Emerick, the song’s title was a phrase that was coined by Burt Reynolds on a TV show. Keith’s dad would often use the phrase growing up.
It has since become one of his signature songs – as well as one of his most successful pieces. The song ranked atop Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart for six straight weeks – making it one of his longest-running No. 1 hits. It also managed to reach No. 28 on Billboard Hot 100. Truly, Toby Keith songs have dominated the country chart for the last few decades.
Video
Lyrics
She said I seen you in here before
I said I been here a time or two
She said “Hello my name is Bobby Jo,
Meet my twin sister Betty Lou
And we’re both feelin’ kinda wild tonight
You’re the only cowboy in this place
And if you’re up for a rodeo
I’ll put a big Texas smile on your face”
I said “Girls…”
I ain’t as good as I once was
I got a few years on me now
But there was a time, back in my prime
When I could really lay it down
If you need some love tonight
Then I might have just enough
I ain’t as good as I once was, but I’m as good once
As I ever was
I still hang out with my best friend Dave
I’ve known him since we were kids at school
Last night he had a few shots, got in a tight spot
Hustlin’ a game of pool
With a couple of redneck boys
One great big fat biker man
I heard David yell across the room
“Hey buddy, how ’bout a helpin’ hand”
I said “Dave…”
I ain’t as good as I once was
My how the years have flown
But there was a time, back in my prime
When I could really hold my own
If you want to fight tonight
Guess them boys don’t look all that tough
I ain’t as good as I once was, but I’m as good once
As I ever was
I used to be hell on wheels
Back when I was a younger man
Now my body says “You can’t do this boy”
But my pride says “Oh yes, you can”
I ain’t as good as I once was
That’s just the cold hard truth
I still throw a few back, talk a little smack
When I’m feelin’ bullet proof
So don’t double-dog dare me now
‘Cause I’d have to call your bluff
I ain’t as good as I once was, but I’m as good once
As I ever was
May not be good as I once was, but I’m as good once
As I ever was
