B-side "When Love Fades" Format CD single, 7" Length 3:29 | Released November 22, 1999 Genre Country | |
Label DreamWorks Nashville 459051 | ||
"How Do You Like Me Now?!" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Toby Keith. It released in November 1999 as the second single and title from his album of the same name. Keith wrote it with Chuck Cannon.
Contents
- Background and writing
- Content
- Music video
- Critical reception
- Track listings
- Chart positions
- Parodies
- References
The song spent five weeks at Number One on the Billboard U.S. Hot Country Songs chart beginning in March 2000. It was his first major crossover hit peaking at number 31 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The song was also the first number-one single for the now defunct DreamWorks Nashville label. The song also became the fourth number one hit of his career and his first since "Me Too" 1997. At the 2001 Academy of Country Music awards, the song was nominated for Single of the Year and Song of the Year.
Background and writing
Keith discussed the inspiration for the song on his website in 2000. "Initially, I said, 'Here's my title: "You Never Loved Me Before, So How Do You Like Me Now?'" It's one of my catch-phrases. A lot of people become successful after they've been told they won't ever be, so people can relate to this. It can be about an old flame or a boss or a teacher -whatever it means to each individual. It was a fun song to write."
Keith had originally recorded the song near the end of his contract with Mercury Records Nashville in the late 1990s. According to a 2005 interview with Billboard, Keith had the album How Do You Like Me Now?! completed, but label executives rejected the entire album except for two songs: "Getcha Some" and "If a Man Answers", both of which were put on his 1999 Greatest Hits album. After he recorded two more songs which were also rejected, he asked to terminate his contract with Mercury, and purchased the rights to the rest of the album. Upon the album's release in late 1999, both the album and its lead single, "When Love Fades", were performing poorly on the charts; as a result, Keith asked that "When Love Fades" be withdrawn as a single in favor of "How Do You Like Me Now?!" Keith stated that DreamWorks executives were "scared to put it out", but within five days of Keith's request, "When Love Fades" was withdrawn and "How Do You Like Me Now?!" was released.
Content
The song discusses Keith's attraction to the female valedictorian of his high school—a beautiful woman who ignored him at the time. Keith wonders if the woman remembers him now that he is famous.
Music video
The song's music video was directed by Michael Salomon. It features Toby Keith singing the song at a hometown football game.
Critical reception
Deborah Evans Price, of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, calling it a "great little tune about the underdog fulfilling his dreams, and the story is wrapped in a melody that demands attention." She goes on to call Keith's performance "feisty" and say that the production "just percolates."
Jessica Andrews references both Keith and the song in her 2002 single "There's More to Me Than You".
Track listings
- "How Do You Like Me Now?!" (Rock Version) – 3:30
- "How Do You Like Me Now?!" (Live Version) – 3:42
- "How Do You Like Me Now?!" (Club Version) – 4:13
Chart positions
"How Do You Like Me Now?!" debuted at number 57 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of November 20, 1999.
Parodies
On his 2000 album Just Another Day in Parodies, country music parodist Cledus T. Judd recorded a parody entitled "How Do You Milk a Cow." This version peaked at number 67 on Hot Country Songs.