Toby Keith’s “Don’t Let The Old Man In” Is Most Added Song At Country Radio
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The country music icon’s latest release is dominating country radio as the number one most added song.
Toby Keith‘s “Don’t Let The Old Man In” has climbed to the top of country radio, solidifying the country music legend’s recent tune as a dominant force in the genre.
Keith’s touching song delivers a powerful message about aging and resilience. The track gained widespread attention after it was featured in the 2018 Clint Eastwood film, The Mule. Keith’s lyrics reflect the wisdom of a seasoned individual who advises against succumbing to the limitations of age. He urges us to keep our youthful spirit alive and not allow the inevitable passage of time to define our lives. With a soulful and heartfelt delivery, Toby Keith’s song serves as a reminder to embrace life’s challenges and continue pursuing one’s dreams, regardless of the number of years one has lived.
People’s Choice Country Awards Performance
Not a single dry eye could be found in the audience when Toby Keith took the stage at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards on September 28 to perform his heartfelt ballad, “Don’t Let The Old Man In.” This emotional performance was particularly poignant, given that Keith has been courageously battling stomach cancer for over two years. At 62 years old, as he graced the stage at the Grand Ole Opry House, Toby Keith appeared noticeably thinner and more fatigued than his usual vibrant self, bearing visible evidence of the toll that stomach cancer has exacted on him. It was the first televised performance of any kind since Keith’s diagnosis in the fall of 2021.
In June 2022, he disclosed that he had been diagnosed with the illness the previous autumn and had endured a six-month journey of treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, making the song’s sentiment even more deeply moving.
RELATED: The Story Behind Toby Keith’s Poignant Song “Don’t Let The Old Man In”
Right after his moving performance at the People’s Choice Country Awards, “Don’t Let The Old Man In” swiftly ascended to the pinnacle of the iTunes country chart. The song hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales chart, Top 3 on the all-genre chart, and the No. 1 spot on the iTunes Country Songs and Videos. The soul-stirring song continues to climb the charts, as the single makes a significant impact on country radio by becoming the “most added” song this week. In collaboration with BMLG Records, the song secured a remarkable 57 first-week adds.
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The Inspiration
The song took inspiration from a discussion Toby Keith had with Clint Eastwood in May 2017. During an encounter at Eastwood’s golf tournament in California, the two conversed while sharing a golf cart. It was there that the Oscar-winning director mentioned his imminent departure the following day for a three-month film shoot for a movie called The Mule. Keith had asked him how he does it, in awe of Eastwood’s resilience to keep working.
“He said, ‘I just get up every morning and go out. And I don’t let the old man in,’” Keith recalled. “And I thought, I’m writing that.”
Listen to Toby Keith’s touching performance of “Don’t Let The Old Man In” at the People’s Choice Country Awards below!
