Toby Keith – My List

About the song

Sometimes, a song comes along that gently reminds us of the things that really matter—those fleeting, everyday moments we often overlook in the hustle of life. Toby Keith’s “My List” is one such song. Released in 2002 as a single from his album Pull My Chain, this heartfelt ballad struck a deep chord with listeners, particularly those who had found themselves lost in the noise of daily obligations, deadlines, and distractions. With a gentle melody and reflective lyrics, Keith invites us to slow down, take a breath, and remember what truly deserves a spot at the top of our to-do lists.

At its core, “My List” is a song about priorities. It follows a man who’s caught up in his usual weekend chores and errands—mowing the lawn, fixing the sink, changing the oil—until he realizes that the most important things in life aren’t tasks you can check off. It’s a revelation delivered with emotional clarity and simplicity: spending time with his wife, playing catch with his son, and reconnecting with his own sense of presence. The lyrics are a poignant reminder that the people we love should never come second to our responsibilities, no matter how pressing they might seem.

Written by Tim James and Rand Bishop, and delivered with Toby Keith’s signature down-to-earth charm, “My List” resonated deeply with country music fans across the country. It became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, showcasing not only Keith’s ability to rock a honky-tonk anthem but also his talent for bringing emotional depth and storytelling to his music. It was a timely message, too—released just months after the events of 9/11, when many Americans were reevaluating what truly mattered in life.

What makes this song enduring isn’t just its melody or even Toby Keith’s powerful delivery—it’s the universal truth it carries. We all keep lists, whether written down or mental, and we all get swept up in the rhythm of routine. “My List” is a gentle nudge, a reminder to pause and make space for what’s irreplaceable. Because at the end of the day, it’s not the lawn we mowed or the oil we changed that we’ll remember—it’s the people we loved and the moments we shared.

Video

Lyrics

Under an old brass paperweight is my list of things to do today
Go to the bank and the hardware store, put a new lock on the cellar door
I cross ’em off as I get ’em done but when the sun is set
There’s still more than a few things left I haven’t got to yet

Go for a walk, say a little prayer
Take a deep breath of mountain air
Put on my glove and play some catch
It’s time that I make time for that
Wade the shore and cast a line
Look up a long lost friend of mine
Sit on the porch and give my girl a kiss
Start livin’, that’s the next thing on my list

Wouldn’t change the course of fate but cuttin’ the grass just had to wait
‘Cause I’ve got more important things like pushin’ my kid on the backyard swing
I won’t break my back for a million bucks I can’t take to my grave
So why put off for tomorrow what I could get done today

Like go for a walk, say a little prayer
Take a deep breath of mountain air
Put on my glove and play some catch
It’s time that I make time for that
Wade the shore and cast a line
Look up a long lost friend of mine
Sit on the porch and give my girl a kiss
Start livin’, that’s the next thing on my list

Raise a little hell, laugh ’til it hurts
Put an extra five in the plate at church
Call up my folks just to chat
It’s time that I make time for that
Stay up late, then oversleep
Show her what she means to me
Catch up on all the things I’ve always missed
Just start livin’, that’s the next thing on my list

Under an old brass paperweight
Is my list of things to do today