Inroduction
Toby Keith’s “If a Man Answers” stands out as a heartfelt ballad featured on his 1998 compilation Greatest Hits Volume One. As one of the two new tracks recorded specifically for the album (alongside “Getcha Some”), the song diverges from the more brash, upbeat style that had characterized much of his earlier 1990s work .
Released in 1999 as the follow‑up single, “If a Man Answers” provides a poignant contrast to Toby’s better‑known roadhouse and patriotic anthems. Here, he delves into raw emotion, exploring the pain of a man who has lost a loved one and must confront her moving on—an emotional depth not often foregrounded in his more raucous hits .
Chart-wise, the song marked a departure from his usual Top 40 success. It peaked at #44 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart—making it the first single in his career to fail to reach that benchmark . This modest chart performance, however, belies the track’s significance: it reveals a side of Keith that balances emotional vulnerability with the masculine narratives central to his style, underscoring his versatility as a songwriter.
Musically, “If a Man Answers” employs a classic country ballad arrangement, placing Keith’s warm, resonant vocals at the forefront. The subdued instrumentation enhances the lyrics’ emotional resonance, as the narrator grapples with heartbreak and the complexity of moving forward.
Within the context of Greatest Hits Volume One, the song adds emotional nuance to a compilation that spans lighthearted humor (“Getcha Some”) to reflective storytelling. It showcases Keith’s evolution—not just as a performer of chart‑topping singles, but as an artist capable of articulating sincere, relatable human experiences .
Although “If a Man Answers” didn’t dominate the charts, it remains an important milestone in Toby Keith’s catalogue—an intimate portrait of emotional resilience, reminding listeners that even the hardest men carry deeply human hearts.
Video
Lyrics
You said you need a little time
A little time to yourself
I’m staring down this telephone wonderin’
There might be someone else
If a man answers when I call
I’ll just hang up, I won’t say anything at all
If a man answers I know what I’ll do
I’ll lie here awake so I don’t dream about you
If a man answers this time of night
At least I’ll know somebody’s holding you tight
If a man answers I won’t call again
And I’ll know where I stand while I twist in the wind
Oh baby, I’m just missin’ you
I’m crazy still in love with you
I know my heart will break in two
If a man answers, if a man answers
I just gotta tell you girl
Maybe somehow make you see
How much I want you to come back to me
But if a man answers you’ll never know
He’ll let you sleep while I let you go
Oh baby, I’m just missin’ you
I’m crazy still in love with you
I know my heart will break in two
If a man answers, if a man answers
If a man answers you’ll never know
If a man answers I’ll let you go
If a man answers this time of night
If a man answers he’s holding you tight
If a man answers, if a man answers
If a man answers, if a man answers
If a man answers, oh if a man answers
If a man answers, if a man answers