Introduction:
High Maintenance Woman, released in February 2007, is a country song written and recorded by American country music artist Toby Keith. The track served as the lead single from Keith’s eleventh studio album, Big Dog Daddy. While Keith is credited as the sole songwriter, he received co-writing attributions from Tim Wilson and Danny Simpson for their contributions to the song.
High Maintenance Woman was not produced by an outside producer but by Toby Keith himself. This do-it-yourself approach to production was not uncommon for Keith throughout his career. In fact, Keith produced or co-produced many of his most successful albums, including Shock’n Y’all (1993), Dream Walkin’ (1995), and Pull Away (2001). Taking charge of the production process allowed Keith to maintain a high degree of creative control over his music.
High Maintenance Woman was a commercial success for Toby Keith. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, a key indicator of popularity in the country music genre. It remained in the top spot for four weeks, showcasing the song’s enduring appeal with listeners.
The critical reception for High Maintenance Woman was mixed. Some reviewers praised the song’s catchy melody and relatable lyrics, while others found the portrayal of a demanding woman to be outdated and cliché. Regardless of the critical response, there’s no denying that High Maintenance Woman was a hit for Toby Keith. The song’s success helped to solidify his status as a major star in country music and further established his reputation for crafting songs that resonated with a core audience.
High Maintenance Woman continues to be a recognizable song in Toby Keith’s catalog. It has been featured on several of his greatest hits compilations and is still included in his setlists for live performances. While the song may not be without its critics, it stands as a testament to Toby Keith’s ability to write and perform country music that connects with fans.
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Lyrics:
I see her layin’ by the poolside every dayShe ain’t got a lot on She ain’t got a lot to sayShe wouldn’t look my wayBut, buddy, what do you expect? I’m just the fix-it-up boy at the apartment complexAnd she’ll go out dancin’ ’bout 7:15Climb into the back of a long limousine I know where she’s goin’ She’s goin’ downtown I’m goin’ downtown too, and take a look aroundShe’s my baby dollShe’s my beauty queen She’s my movie star Best I ever seen I ain’t hooked it up yet But I’m tyin’ hard as I can It’s just a high maintenance woman Don’t want no maintenance manI’m just sittin’ ’round waitin’ on a telephone callAfter water pipe exploded in the living room wall If your washer and dryer need a repair You know the handyman’s waitin’ And he’ll be right thereTwenty-four hoursSeven days a week If it’s gettin’ clogged up or maybe startin’ to leak Just ring up my number, baby, give me a try You know I got all the tools And I can satisfyShe’s my baby dollShe’s my beauty queen She’s my movie star Best I ever seen I ain’t asked her out yet ‘Cause I don’t know if I can You see, a high maintenance woman Don’t want no maintenance manShe’s my baby dollShe’s my beauty queen She’s my movie star Best I ever seen I ain’t hooked it up yet But I’m tryin’ hard as I can It’s just a high maintenance woman Don’t want no maintenance man Ain’t no high maintenance woman Gonna fall for a maintenance man