There just aren't enough sad songs on country radio anymore, are there? I mean, truly sad songs. Songs that get you right in the heart. Songs that make you want to cry a little. And can you believe that, of all singers, Toby Keith has a song just like that now? Yes, the same Toby Keith who just topped the charts with the anything-goes political anthem "American Ride."
"Cryin' for Me (Wayman's Song)" may just be one of the best single releases of Toby's career — at the very least, it's a powerful tribute to former basketball and jazz bassist Wayman Tisdale, who died in May 2009. Thematically, it's not too different from Alan Jackson's "Sissy's Song," but with a few more personal touches, such a snippet of Wayman's answering machine, and a mention of his "upside-down, left-handed bass guitar." In the first verse, Toby admits reluctance in "finding a tear," but finally lets it out and cries for himself. His performance finds the right mix of emotions: sadness, maybe a little bit of hesitance, but also some comfort in that his friend is now in a better place. Dave Koz adds some mellow saxophone work to a very stripped-down production, consisting mainly of acoustic guitar and congas.
Slow and sad are two words that can't be used to describe much of country music anymore, especially when applied to Toby Keith. It's really a pleasant surprise to hear him doing something so far out of his normal range — not that his present material is by any means bad. With Toby once again at the top of his game in terms of radio success, "Wayman's Song" should easily be a big hit. No, I take that back. This must be a big hit.
For more information about Toby Keith you can:
Click here to watch the video to this song.
Click here to check out our American Ride album review.
Click here to check out our That Don't Make Me A Bad Guy review.
Click here to check out our Toby Keith lyrics and chords.
You can support Toby Keith by purchasing this single at iTunes | Amazon.
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