About the Song
Toby Keith, a name synonymous with American country music, with a voice that drawls like warm molasses on a summer day. Mr. Keith isn’t one for mincing words, and his songs often paint vivid portraits of working-class life, its struggles, and its simple pleasures. Today, we set our sights on a track from his 2013 album, Drinks After Work, titled I’ll Probably Be Out Fishin’.
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This song, much like many of Toby Keith’s hits, is a slice of life – a country ballad with a strong narrative core. Now, you might expect a country song about fishing to be a lighthearted ode to the serenity of nature. But Toby Keith rarely takes the well-worn path. I’ll Probably Be Out Fishin’ is a touch more complex, laced with a hint of regret and a healthy dose of perseverance.
The opening lines introduce us to the narrator’s past, a story of young love cut short. We hear about a high school sweetheart and grand wedding plans dashed by a stint in the Navy. This sets the stage for a life marked by both hope and disappointment, a theme that weaves its way throughout the song.
The narrator then delves into the world of work, specifically the instability that can plague blue-collar jobs. We hear about a shot at climbing the corporate ladder at the sawmill, only to have that dream evaporate when the business is unexpectedly sold. This isn’t just a song about fishing; it’s a song about the feeling of being at the mercy of fate, about the plans we make and the way life sometimes throws us a curveball.
But here’s the beauty of I’ll Probably Be Out Fishin’. Despite the setbacks, the narrator isn’t defeated. There’s a quiet acceptance of life’s uncertainties, a resilience that finds solace in the simple act of casting a line. The chorus, a repeated refrain of “I’ll Probably Be Out Fishin’ When My Ship Comes In,” becomes a kind of wry defiance. It suggests that the narrator isn’t waiting around for some grand stroke of luck. He’s content to carve his own path, to find peace and maybe even a bit of metaphorical fortune on the open water.
So, as we delve into I’ll Probably Be Out Fishin’, we can expect a song that’s more than just a catchy country tune. It’s a song about the resilience of the human spirit, about finding your own center even when the world seems unsteady. It’s a song, I daresay, that perfectly captures the essence of Toby Keith’s brand of country music: real, relatable, and full of heart.