Introduction:
Love Me If You Can: A Straight-Shootin’ Country Anthem
Released in June 2007, Toby Keith’s “Love Me If You Can” became a chart-topping hit, reaching number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. This wasn’t just any number one for Keith, it marked a significant milestone. It was his first time reaching the top spot since launching his own record label, Show Dog Nashville, in 2005.
The song itself, written by Chris Wallin and Craig Wiseman, offered a classic Toby Keith approach. Lyrically, it presented a strong, independent persona, a man comfortable in his own skin and unwilling to compromise. The woman he sings about has to accept him for who he is, “blue collar” and “rough around the edges.”
“Love Me If You Can” wasn’t Keith’s first foray into this territory. Fans of his earlier hits, like “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” and “A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action,” would recognize the same kind of self-assured, take-it-or-leave-it attitude. But “Love Me If You Can” resonated with audiences, becoming Keith’s 34th Top Ten single and his 16th number one hit.
The success of the song solidified Toby Keith’s position as a major force in country music. “Love Me If You Can” wasn’t just a hit, it was an anthem for those who identified with Keith’s brand of straight-talking country. So crank up the volume and get ready for a song that celebrates independence, authenticity, and a love that accepts you just the way you are.