Toes (Zac Brown Band song)
| "Toes" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Toes" is the title of a song recorded by the Zac Brown Band, an American country music band. Lead singer Zac Brown and bass guitarist John Driskell Hopkins co-wrote the song with Shawn Mullins and Wyatt Durette. It is the third single from Zac Brown Band's 2008 debut album The Foundation, as well as the third Top 10 country hit and second Number One for the band.
Content
Zac Brown wrote "Toes" with Wyatt Durette (with whom he co-wrote the band's first two singles, "Chicken Fried" and "Whatever It Is") along with the band's bass guitarist John Driskell Hopkins, and Shawn Mullins.[1] According to Brown, Durette called him at six o'clock one morning and provided him with the idea for the song.[1]
In the song, the male narrator describes a relaxing trip to Mexico from Georgia, or "G-A". The song begins with the chorus:
- I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand
- Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand
- Life is good today
- Life is good today..
Throughout the verses, he tells of the "pretty señoritas" and "muchachas" that he encounters, as well as multiple alcoholic drinks that he consumes. In the final chorus, the narrator returns home and continues to relax there ("Just gonna prop up by the lake / With my ass in the lawn chair, toes in the clay / Not a worry in the world, a PBR on the way[…]").[2]
Music video
According to Brown, the song's music video includes a central character named "Floaty Boatwood" and several cameo appearances.[1] including Kid Rock. This video is directed by Darren Doane.
Critical reception
The song has been met with positive critical reception, usually with comparisons to the musical styles of Jimmy Buffett. Mark Deming, in his Allmusic review of the album, compared "Toes" and "Where the Boat Leaves From" to Buffett's material, saying that both songs were "devoted to the joys of getting buzzed and playing music in some seaside locale with good weather".[3] Pierce Greenberg of The 9513 also compared it to "Where the Boat Leaves From", saying that "Toes" had a "more refreshing look at the same 'let’s get away to the beach' theme" than that song did.[2] Greenberg also said that "Toes" had "fun imagery and one fiesta of a chorus".[2] Billboard critic Ken Tucker said that it was a "tropical treat" in his tradition,[4] and Bobby Peacock of Roughstock said that it "may just be one of the best summer songs to hit country radio in quite some time."[5]
Chart performance
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 25 |
| Canadian Radio & Records Country Singles | 3 |
| Canadian Hot 100 | 60 |
References
- ^ a b c Graff, Gary (2009-05-28). "Zac Brown Band builds solid "Foundation"". Billboard. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
- ^ a b c Greenberg, Pierce (2008-11-20). "The Foundation review". The 9513. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
- ^ Deming, Mark. "The Foundation review". Allmusic. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
- ^ Tucker, Ken (2008-11-22). "Music reviews". Billboard: 77. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
- ^ Peacock, Bobby (2009-07-19). "Zac Brown Band — "Toes"". Roughstock. Retrieved 2009-10-26.