Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Self-Expression Takes Center Stage In “I Wanna Talk About Me” By Toby Keith

I Wanna Talk About Me by Toby
by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

On August 20, 2001, Toby Keith released “I Wanna Talk About Me” as the second single from his album Pull My Chain

The song became a chart-topping hit, reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. It also experienced triumph on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it peaked at No. 3. It remains today as one of the most well-known and enduring hits by Toby Keith.

The Meaning Behind The Song 

Written by Country Music Hall of Famer Bobby Braddock, “I Wanna Talk About Me” tells the story of a frustrated man who finds it nearly impossible to sneak in a single word in the midst of his chatty partner’s self-centered monologues.

The country songwriter and record producer shared a glimpse of how the song came to life in an interview with Rolling Stone. Braddock said that two sparks of inspiration ignited the creation of “I Wanna Talk About Me.” 

First, there’s Braddock’s very good friend, whose workload doubled after her assistant got fired. Whenever Braddock called her up, this was all she’d talk about. Despite his attempts to steer the conversation elsewhere, she kept circling back to it. Braddock even played “I Wanna Talk About Me” over the phone, but she didn’t say anything.

The other inspiration was the hotshot then-young singer Blake Shelton. Yes, you read that right! 

Braddock originally penned the song for Shelton, who had just unveiled his debut album earlier in the same year. “So, I thought, ‘I need to write a country rap song for Blake,’” Braddock said. “I wanted to write something about my friend and her loquaciousness, so I thought I would turn it into a rap thing.”

However, Shelton’s record label hesitated, thinking a country-rap fusion was too daring for a rising star. They eventually turned down the song.

Braddock then shifted his attention to Keith, who, at that point in his career, had created a confidently smug persona. Keith took the risk and released the song.

So, dive into Toby Keith‘s chart-topping hit, “I Wanna Talk About Me.” Explore the catchy lyrics, the humor-infused narrative, and the success that made it a country music favorite by playing the video below.

Latest Stories

Travis Tritt smiles in a black cowboy hat and shirt while performing "Good Ol' Boys" with a microphone in front of an American flag backdrop.

Travis Tritt Honors Waylon Jennings With Cover of “Good Ol’ Boys” Theme From The Dukes of Hazzard

Sometimes a song is so tied to a legend that when someone else picks it up, you’re half ready to wince, but then Travis Tritt walks up, tugs his hat ...

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton perform together in a bar setting for their duet “A Song to Sing.

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton’s “A Song to Sing” Duet Feels Like an Instant Classic

Sometimes country music gives you a line so pure it feels like it’s been here forever, and that’s exactly what Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton just pulled off with “A ...

Blake Shelton and Noah Cyrus standing side by side with microphones, performing their new country duet together.

Noah Cyrus Teams Up With Blake Shelton for New Country Duet and Fans Are Loving It

Sometimes country music needs a little shot of something wild, and Noah Cyrus just poured it straight into Blake Shelton’s glass. It’s not every day you see the Voice coach ...

George Strait performing on stage with his guitar and cowboy hat, pictured at a previous event not related to the upcoming Strait From the Heart benefit concert.

George Strait Will Play “Strait to the Heart” Benefit Concert to Raise Money for Flood Victims

Some kings wear crowns, some kings wear boots, and show up when the water’s rising. George Strait, the King of Country himself, is stepping up once again for the people ...

Blake Shelton smiles on stage with guitar and mic during Vegas show, putting his own spin on George Strait’s classic.

Blake Shelton Nails George Strait Classic With His Own Spin on “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”

Sometimes you don’t mess with a George Strait classic, unless you’re Blake Shelton standing under the Vegas lights with a grin that says you’re about to pay tribute and stir ...

Dolly Parton smiles during Khloé podcast interview, sitting by mic and lamp as she shares why she won't stop sharing faith.

Dolly Parton Says People Tell Her To Stop Talking About Her Faith But She Won’t Listen

If there’s one thing you can count on Dolly Parton for, it’s that she’ll say exactly what’s on her heart and not give a single rhinestone what anyone thinks. In ...

Little Mississippi boy in plaid shirt smiles at mic during preschool graduation where he recited New Testament books and sang a George Strait classic.

4-Year-Old Boy Recites New Testament Books Then Belts Out ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’

If there’s ever been a preschool graduation that screams “God bless the South,” this is it. Somewhere in Mississippi, a four-year-old kid just made the entire congregation beam with pride ...

Young George Strait smiling on stage playing guitar in 1987 when “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” hit No. 1 and proved he ran country.

On This Day in 1987, George Strait Hit No. 1 with ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’ and Proved He Ran Country

Sometimes a song just cements your throne forever, and for George Strait, it was a little tongue-in-cheek love letter that made every Texan proud to claim him as their king. ...

Scotty McCreery with his wife and both grandmothers, who he revealed passed away hours apart in a heartbreaking double loss.

Scotty McCreery Reveals Both His Grandmothers Died Hours Apart in Heartbreaking Double Loss

You just don’t see some country heartbreaks coming, and this one hit Scotty McCreery straight in the soul. This week, the North Carolina native and Opry favorite shared the gut-wrenching ...

Brooks & Dunn performing on stage together, fitting their story about admitting they struggled to get along for years.

Brooks and Dunn Admit They Struggled to Get Along for Years and Tried to Blow It Real Hard

Country music’s greatest duo was basically a bar fight waiting to happen. When Brooks & Dunn stormed out of the gate with “Brand New Man” in 1991, it looked like ...