Toby Keith – Beers Ago

About the song

Released in March 2012 as the third single from Toby Keith’s album Clancy’s Tavern, “Beers Ago” is a nostalgic, upbeat country anthem that perfectly encapsulates Keith’s signature blend of humor, storytelling, and honky-tonk energy. Written by Toby Keith and Bobby Pinson, the song takes a lighthearted look back at youth, first loves, and the passage of time, all measured in the most country way possible—by the number of beers that have come and gone since those wild days.

A Reflection on Youth and Time

Lyrically, “Beers Ago” is one of those songs that balances sentimentality with a rowdy, good-time feel. The song opens with Keith reminiscing about being 18, driving a beat-up truck, and falling for a girl with “a fake ID and a bad tattoo.” Instead of counting the years since those carefree days, the narrator playfully calculates it in terms of how many beers he’s had since then, emphasizing the idea that time moves quickly, and life should be enjoyed along the way.

Lines like “Life don’t give you much choice, and fate don’t let you rewind” carry a deeper message beneath the humor. While the song is fun and high-energy, there’s also an underlying theme of acknowledging how fast the years fly by—a universal feeling that makes it resonate with many listeners.

Musical Style and Production

Musically, “Beers Ago” is a prime example of modern country fused with traditional honky-tonk elements. The song features:

• A driving, energetic rhythm, led by electric guitars and a steady drumbeat that makes it a great fit for live performances and barroom singalongs.
• Keith’s signature deep, confident vocals, delivering the lyrics with a mix of nostalgia and rowdy enthusiasm.
• A catchy, anthemic chorus, making it a song that sticks in your head long after the first listen.

The production, handled by Keith himself, is crisp, polished, and radio-friendly, ensuring it would fit seamlessly into both contemporary country playlists and honky-tonk jukeboxes alike.

Impact and Legacy

Upon release, “Beers Ago” became a fan favorite, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. While it may not be one of Toby Keith’s most controversial or politically charged songs, it stands out as a fun, relatable, and cleverly written track that speaks to both younger country fans and older listeners reminiscing about their wilder days.

Keith has always had a knack for crafting songs that blend humor with heartfelt reflection, and “Beers Ago” is no exception. Whether it’s blasting through truck speakers on a backroad, playing at a summer BBQ, or getting people singing along at a bar, the song captures the timeless appeal of country music—telling real stories, evoking real emotions, and making people raise their glasses in a toast to the past.

Video

Lyrics

I had a hand me down ride painted rattle can red
Second hand tires with poor boy tread
Made a lot of almost love in the bed of that truck
That got stuck a lot

Just letter jacket boys singing Jerry Jeff songs
Drinking everything we could get our hands on
Learning ’bout right by doing it wrong
Hoping we didn’t get caught

And we spent what little bit of money we had
On wintergreen Skoal and main street gas
Go get your girl, go make the drag
If you’re lucky you can take her cross the rail road tracks

Where the man in the moon works his magic
On the second runner up of the 4H pageant
Seems like yesterday, even though
That was fourteen hundred and fifty two beers ago

Skipped that town on my birthday
For eighteen years I was headed that way
Where old red stopped I just stayed
In a room without a view

I met a one look girl in a two bit bar
I had a place, she had a car
I won her heart with my guitar
I sang her the homesick blues ’bout

Spending what little bit of money we had
On wintergreen Skoal and main street gas
Go get your girl, go make the drag
If you’re lucky you can take her cross the railroad tracks

Where the man in the moon works his magic
On the second runner up of the 4H pageant
It seems like yesterday, even though
That was fifteen hundred and sixty two beers ago

Spending what little bit of money we had
On wintergreen Skoal and main street gas
And go get your girl and go make the drag
If you’re lucky you can take her cross the railroad tracks

Where the man in the moon works his magic
On the second runner up of the 4H pageant
It seems like yesterday, even though
That was sixteen hundred and fifty two beers

A whole lot of highway, a whole lot of year
Sixteen hundred and fifty three beers ago