Introduction
“I Love This Bar” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Toby Keith. It was released in August 2003 as the first single from his 2003 album Shock’n Y’All. The song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, maintaining the top spot for five weeks. Keith wrote this song with Scotty Emerick.
The song’s title inspired a chain of restaurants owned by Keith named Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill.
The narrator describes his favorite bar and the people who frequent it.
The video for this song was filmed at a bar in Chatsworth, California called The Cowboy Palace Saloon. It was directed by Michael Salomon and premiered on CMT on August 21, 2003.
In 2024, Rolling Stone ranked the song at #98 on its 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time ranking.
“I Love This Bar” debuted at number 30 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of August 30, 2003. The song has sold 1,033,000 copies in the U.S. as of April 2014.
In 2006, this song was covered by Sammy Hagar for his album Livin’ It Up!.
On his 2004 album Bipolar and Proud, country music parodist Cledus T. Judd recorded a parody titled “I Love NASCAR”. This parody peaked at number 48 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. Although the song featured a guest vocal from Keith, he did not receive chart credit for it.
The song’s lyrics highlight the variety of experiences and stories that can be found within the walls of a bar. It speaks to the power of shared experiences and a sense of belonging, where people from all walks of life can come together, enjoy a drink, and escape from the outside world.
Overall, “I Love This Bar” by Toby Keith is more than just a catchy country song. It encapsulates the spirit and camaraderie found in a local dive bar. Its lyrics celebrate the diverse range of individuals who frequent these establishments and the strong sense of community that they foster. The song brings back memories of good times shared with friends and reminds us of the power of a place where everyone feels welcome.
Video
Lyrics
We got winners, we got losers
Chain smokers and boozers
And we got yuppies, we got bikers
We got thirsty hitchhikers
And the girls next door dress up like movie stars
Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar
We got cowboys, we got truckers
Broken-hearted fools and suckers
And we got hustlers, we got fighters
Early birds and all-nighters
And the veterans talk about their battle scars
Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar
I love this bar
It’s my kind of place
Just walkin’ through the front door
Puts a big smile on my face
It ain’t too far, come as you are
Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar
I’ve seen short skirts, we got high-techs
Blue-collar boys and rednecks
And we got lovers, lots of lookers
And I’ve even seen dancing girls and hookers
And we like to drink our beer from a mason jar
Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar
Yes I do
I like my truck (I like my truck)
I like my girlfriend (I like my girlfriend)
I like to take her out to dinner
I like a movie now and then
But I love this bar
It’s my kind of place
Just trollin’ around the dance floor
Puts a big smile on my face
No cover charge, come as you are
Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar
Hmm, hmm, hmm I just love this old bar
And we’ve got divorcees, a big bouncer man
An old jukebox and a real bad band
We got waitresses, and we got barflies
A dumbass and a wise guy
If you get too drunk, just sleep out in your car
Reason number six, seven and two why
Hmm, hmm, hmm I just love this bar
Play it on out boys
Beer thirty’s over, gotta take it on home
Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar
I just love it