Toby Keith, the name itself conjures images of sun-baked Oklahoma plains, worn denim, and a voice that’s as rough and ready as a well-used pick-up truck. Keith, a country music iconoclast who carved his own path through the genre in the 90s, is known for his anthemic celebrations of working-class life, American pride, and the joys of a simpler time. This sentiment is perfectly captured in his 1997 song, Double Wide Paradise.
Double Wide Paradise wasn’t a chart-topping smash hit for Keith, but it holds a special place in the hearts of many fans. Released on his album Dream Walkin’, the song offers a slice-of-life portrait of a blue-collar couple finding contentment in their modest double-wide trailer home. This wasn’t a new theme in country music, but Keith’s approach was refreshingly genuine and free of pretense.
Background
To fully appreciate Double Wide Paradise, it’s important to understand its place within the broader landscape of country music. For much of the 20th century, country music was the soundtrack of rural America, chronicling the struggles and triumphs of everyday people.
Double Wide Paradise stands as a counterpoint to this trend. Keith, a native Oklahoman, never forgot his blue-collar upbringing. His music resonated with those who felt left behind by the Nashville machine, celebrating the dignity of hard work and the simple pleasures found in a close-knit community.
The double-wide mobile home, often derided as a symbol of poverty, becomes a source of pride in Double Wide Paradise. Double Wide Paradise isn’t just about a house; it’s about the love that fills it.
Keith’s gruff vocals soften when he sings about his wife, hinting at a deep tenderness beneath his tough exterior. This vulnerability adds another layer of authenticity to the song, reminding listeners that love and happiness can be found regardless of social status or material wealth.
The song continues to resonate with listeners who find comfort and inspiration in the stories of ordinary folks who find happiness in unexpected places, proving that a double-wide can indeed be a paradise.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
I don’t want to cryI don’t want to walk the floorThis mobile homeDon’t feel like home no moreSince you left tell me what else can I doJust come back homeForgive me and forget itThis bed I madeI’m tired of sleepin’ in itIt’s freezin’ cold, and baby that ain’t coolI’m waitin’ on youHere at the Ponderosa trailer parkThere wasn’t nothin’ that could keep us apartThen I broke your heart, in ourDouble wide, double wide, double wide paradiseCome on back to our double wide paradiseDouble wide, double wide paradise