This moment was captured after Toby Keith had spent nearly three decades on the road — alongside a longtime friend, somewhere backstage, in the later years of his life. He threw one arm around his buddy’s shoulders, the other holding that familiar red cup. Toby always had a way of making people feel at ease. Whether it was a big show or a cramped backstage hallway lit by fluorescent lights — he remained true to himself: simple, funny, and fully present in every moment.

Introduction

“Cryin’ For Me (Wayman’s Song)” is a poignant mid‑tempo country‑jazz ballad, written and recorded by Toby Keith and released in October 2009 as the second single from his thirteenth studio album, American Ride . The song reached No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart , demonstrating that even at the peak of his “swaggering” country persona, Keith could deliver heartfelt introspection.

The track serves as a tribute to Keith’s dear friend Wayman Tisdale—a former NBA star at Oklahoma, a respected jazz bassist, and a fellow Oklahoman—who tragically passed away on May 15, 2009, after battling cancer . Keith wrote the song in the two days between Tisdale’s death and his funeral. Overcome with emotion, he chose not to perform it at the service, opting instead for Willie Nelson’s “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground”.

Musically, the production blends gentle acoustic guitar with a soulful saxophone provided by Dave Koz, while Marcus Miller and Arthur Thompson contribute subtle jazz-infused instrumentation. This arrangement accentuates the tender, reflective lyrics as Keith sings:

“I’m not cryin’ ’cause I feel so sorry for you; I’m cryin’ for me.”

Critics praised Keith’s emotional vulnerability, highlighting the track as one of the strongest songs on American Ride. Billboard’s Ken Tucker lauded Koz’s saxophone for perfectly underscoring the song’s gentle tone, while Roughstock’s Bobby Peacock deemed it “one of the best single releases of Toby’s career” .

Through its honest message and genre-blending soundscape, “Cryin’ For Me (Wayman’s Song)” stands as a moving elegy to a beloved friend—a testament to grief not just for the departed, but for the emptiness left behind in those still living.

Video

Lyrics

[Intro]
Sorry you missed me I’ll get back to you as soon as I can, thank you and God bless

[Verse 1]
Got the news on Friday mornin’
But a tear I couldn’t find
You showed me how I am supposed to live
And now you showed me how to die
I was lost ’til Sunday morning
I woke up to face my fear
While writing you this good-bye song I found a tear

[Chorus]
I’m gonna miss that smile
I’m gonna miss you my friend
Even though it hurts the way it ended up
I’d do it all again
So play it sweet in Heaven
‘Cause that’s right where you wanna be
I’m not cryin’ ’cause I feel so sorry for ya
I’m cryin’ for me

[Verse 2]
I got up and dialed your number
And your voice came on the line
With that old familiar message
I’ve heard a thousand times
It just said, “Sorry that I missed you
Leave a message and God bless”
I know that you think I’m crazy
But I had to hear your voice I guess

[Chorus]
I’m gonna miss that smile
I’m gonna miss you my friend
Even though it hurts the way it ended up
I’d do it all again
So play it sweet in Heaven
‘Cause that’s right where you wanna be
I’m not cryin’ ’cause I feel so sorry for ya
I’m cryin’ for me

[Bridge]
Oh
So play your upside down, left handed
Backwards bass guitar
I’ll see you on the other side, superstar

[Chorus]
I’m gonna miss that smile
I’m gonna miss you my friend
Even though it hurts the way it ended up
I’d do it all again
So play it sweet in Heaven
‘Cause that’s right where you wanna be
I’m not cryin’ ’cause I feel so sorry for ya
I’m cryin’ for me
[Outro]
I’m still cryin’
I’m cryin’ for me
Oh
I’m still cryin’