Nights I Can't Remember, Friends I'll Never Forget

Album: Shock'n Y'all (2003)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The idea for this song, about friends who grow up and go their separate ways, was Toby Keith's, says co-writer Scotty Emerick. The idea was hatched on an airplane, and the song was written in a Las Vegas hotel room. The characters are all made-up people who Toby and Scotty created and gave lives to.

    "I have the FPL line in there - Florida Power and Light," Scotty told Songfacts with a laugh. "We got Waffle House diner in there. I really wanted that to be in there, that was funny."

    Waffle House is a popular restaurant chain in the American south.
  • "I had this idea for a long time," says Toby Keith. "Scott and I were talking one night and I said those words - 'I had a lot of nights I can't remember, but I was with friends I'll never forget.' So we were in Vegas for a few nights, working on some songs, and we turned it into a story song about a group of guys in a band who were closer than brothers. It's a good story song." (From Toby Keith's Web site)

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Lita Ford

Lita FordSongwriter Interviews

Lita talks about how they wrote songs in The Runaways, and how she feels about her biggest hit being written by somebody else.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.