Every Dog Has Its Day by Toby Keith

About the song

Toby Keith’s Every Dog Has Its Day is a swaggering anthem of defiance and comeuppance, delivered with the kind of no-nonsense bravado that has long defined his brand of country music. Featured on his 2009 album American Ride, the song embraces the kind of rollicking, honky-tonk energy that fuels many of Keith’s most memorable hits. With its punchy rhythm, infectious melody, and unapologetic attitude, Every Dog Has Its Day taps into a timeless theme of poetic justice—one where the underdog finally gets his moment in the sun, much to the chagrin of those who doubted him.

Keith, a towering figure in contemporary country, has never shied away from delivering music that speaks to the working man’s sensibilities. His songs often blend humor, grit, and a touch of rebellion, painting vignettes of small-town America, barroom bravado, and the unshakable confidence of someone who knows where he stands. Every Dog Has Its Day is no exception. The track brims with a cocky, barstool wisdom that makes it easy to imagine it blaring from the speakers of a pickup truck rolling down a dusty road or from a jukebox in a rowdy roadside tavern.

Musically, the song leans into an uptempo, rock-inflected country sound, driven by a stomping beat and a propulsive guitar line that keeps the energy high. Keith’s signature deep, resonant vocals add weight to the lyrics, which tell the story of a man who’s been underestimated and overshadowed but is finally getting his due. It’s a familiar narrative, one that resonates particularly well with country music’s blue-collar ethos—where patience, perseverance, and a bit of luck can turn the tables on even the most arrogant adversaries.

Lyrically, Every Dog Has Its Day is both playful and pointed. Keith relishes in the idea of tables turning, using canine metaphors to drive home the message that those who think they’re on top won’t always stay there. Lines like “You better keep on talking that talk, because you’re begging for the bite” reinforce the song’s central idea: arrogance eventually meets its match. This thematic thread of retribution, wrapped in an upbeat and rowdy package, makes the song not just an entertaining listen but also an affirmation for anyone who has ever felt sidelined or overlooked.

In the broader context of Keith’s career, Every Dog Has Its Day fits neatly within his repertoire of no-holds-barred country anthems. While he is best known for patriotic hits like Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue and beer-soaked party tracks such as Red Solo Cup, this song showcases another side of his persona—the storyteller who champions the everyman, reminding listeners that persistence pays off and that no one stays at the bottom forever.

Ultimately, Every Dog Has Its Day is a song that thrives on attitude. It’s loud, unapologetic, and built for those moments when you need a reminder that life has a way of balancing the scales. Keith delivers it with the kind of confidence and charm that have made him a mainstay in country music, proving once again that he knows exactly how to craft a song that feels both personal and universal. Whether you’re in need of a little motivation or just looking for a fun, hard-driving track to turn up on a Friday night, this one gets the job done.

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Lyrics

I was hangin’ out a last night at the top cat when the band slowed down to Merle
Man I hit it ‘cross the bar room trying to find my baby girl
Some drunk tried to punk me, and ask my baby
“do you dance” she said “yes I do,
But not with you, I’m waitin’ on my man”

See every dog has it’s day dog, when the big dog throws him a bone
One moment in the sunshine when your ducks lined up in a row
Lucky dog get a big ol’ bed, stray dog gets the porch
Every dog has it’s day dog, but today dog just aint yours

Well I flipped her around and I kissed her and she said lets do one more
And we were half way through a two step when he stepped out on the floor
He jerked me back and said
“im cuttin’ in, girl lets docee do”
She doubled up her fist and caught him right square on the nose

Every dog has it’s day dog, when the big dog throws him a bone
One moment in the sunshine when the ducks line up in a row
Lucky dog gets a big ol’ bed, stray dog gets the porch
Every dog has it’s day dog, but today dog just aint yours

Fat dog, skinny dog, little itty bitty dog,
Hot dog, kurd dog, weenie dog, bird dog, hound dog,
Cow dog, bow wow wow dog, wonder dog, barkin’ dog,
Chasing’ parked car dog.

Every dog has it’s day dog, when the big dog throws him a bone
One moment in the sunshine, when your ducks line up in a row
Yeah lucky dog gets gets a big ol’ bed, stray dog gets the porch
Every dog has it’s day dog, but today dog just aint yours
Every dog has it’s day dog, but today dog just aint yours