About the song
Toby Keith has always been a man of strong convictions, unafraid to voice his opinions through song. A towering figure in country music, Keith built his career on a blend of patriotic anthems, honky-tonk revelry, and heartfelt ballads. But Love Me If You Can, released in 2007 as the second single from his album Big Dog Daddy, shows a side of Keith that is more reflective, measured, and introspective. In a career often defined by bold, no-holds-barred declarations, this song stands out as an earnest plea for understanding and grace in an increasingly divided world.
Written by Chris Wallin and Craig Wiseman, Love Me If You Can finds Keith in the role of a man who acknowledges his own strong opinions but insists that his heart is in the right place. The song’s message is clear: you may not always agree with me, but don’t judge me unfairly—love me if you can. For an artist often associated with flag-waving anthems like Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American), this song offers a contrast, showing Keith as someone who is not just a firebrand but also a man capable of nuance and compassion.
Musically, Love Me If You Can leans into the softer side of Keith’s repertoire. The arrangement is understated but effective, featuring gentle acoustic guitar work, a steady rhythm, and subtle flourishes of pedal steel that lend a wistful quality to the track. There’s no bombast here, no raucous barroom energy—just a simple, earnest melody that allows the lyrics to take center stage. The production is warm and polished, fitting comfortably within the contemporary country landscape of the mid-2000s while maintaining a timeless, traditional feel.
Video
Lyrics
Sometimes I think that war is necessary
Every night I pray for peace on Earth
I hand out my dollars to the homeless
But believe that every able soul should work
My father gave me my shotgun
That I’ll hand down to my son
Try to teach him everything it means
I’m a man of my convictions
Call me wrong, call me right
But I bring my better angels to every fight
You may not like where I’m going
But you sure know where I stand
Hate me if you want to
Love me if you can
I stand by my right to speak freely
But I worry ’bout what kids learn from TV
And before all of debatin’ turns to angry words and hate
Sometimes we should just agree to disagree
And I believe that Jesus looks down here and sees us
And if you ask him he would say
I’m a man of my convictions
Call me wrong, call me right
But I bring my better angels to every fight
You may not like where I’m going
But you sure know where I stand
Hate me if you want to
Love me if you can
I’m a man of my convictions
Call me wrong, call me right
But I bring my better angels to every fight
You may not like where I’m going
But you sure know where I stand
Hate me if you want to
Love me if you can
