Toby Keith, a country music giant known for his anthemic patriotism and working-class anthems, took a surprising turn with the release of “The Size I Wear” in 2017. This track, featured on his album “Hope on the Rocks”, deviates from his usual themes, offering a lighthearted yet poignant ode to women who embrace their natural beauty, regardless of societal pressures.
A Shift in Focus
Keith, throughout his career, has often been associated with a particular brand of masculinity – rugged, blue-collar, and sometimes chauvinistic. Songs like “I Love This Bar” and “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” celebrate a specific type of femininity – the attractive, often scantily clad woman who frequents honky-tonks.
“The Size I Wear” marks a clear departure. The song is a refreshing embrace of diversity in female beauty standards. It’s a welcome change for a genre that has often been criticized for perpetuating unrealistic body image expectations.
The Narrative of “The Size I Wear”
The song opens with a description of a small-town bar, a familiar setting for Keith’s storytelling. The narrator, presumably a barfly with a keen eye for the patrons, introduces us to a group of women who have entered the establishment. He immediately dismisses the “waitress blonde” and a woman described as “flat as a wall,” setting the stage for the arrival of the song’s true focus.
The lyrics then shift to a celebration of a woman who is “the size I wear” – a phrase that remains deliberately ambiguous throughout the song. Is it a specific clothing size? A reference to a certain type of physical build? The beauty of the song lies in its intentional vagueness. Keith allows the listener to interpret the phrase in their own way, emphasizing that true beauty comes not from conforming to a specific size, but from confidence and self-acceptance.
Beyond the Lyrics: Context and Inspiration
While the lyrics themselves are a clear celebration of female empowerment, the origins of “The Size I Wear” add another layer of depth to the song. According to some reports, the song was inspired by Keith’s wife, Tricia, a woman who has always embraced her natural beauty and defied conventional standards. This personal connection adds a layer of authenticity to the song, making it a genuine tribute to the woman who has stood by his side throughout his career.
Reception and Legacy
“The Size I Wear” was a moderate commercial success for Keith, reaching number 41 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. However, its critical reception was more mixed. Some praised the song for its message of body positivity, while others criticized it for being pandering or lacking the depth of Keith’s earlier work.
Regardless of critical reception, “The Size I Wear” holds a unique place in Keith’s discography. It’s a song that challenges his own established persona and tackles a subject rarely explored in mainstream country music. In a genre that often caters to a narrow definition of female beauty, “The Size I Wear” stands as a reminder that true attractiveness lies in confidence and self-worth, regardless of a woman’s physical size.