The Meaning of Toby Keith's 'Don't Let the Old Man In'
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Toby Keith's last awards show performance before his death from stomach cancer in February 2024 was at the 2023 People's Choice Country Awards in September, at which he performed his song "Don't Let the Old Man In."
It's a tearjerker of a ballad no matter what the circumstances, but adding to the emotional experience at the time was the fact that Keith had been battling stomach cancer for more than two years at the time. He'd revealed in June 2022 that he'd been diagnosed with the disease the previous fall and spent six months undergoing treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.
Related: Inside Toby Keith's Health Battle Prior to His Death
"I feel pretty good," Keith told E! News at the inaugural event, where he was awarded the Country Icon Award. "It's a little bit of a roller coaster. You get good days and, you know, you're up and down, up and down. It's always zero to 60 and 60 to zero but I feel good today."
Sadly, the country music icon died soon after at the age of 62. His official website and social media shared the news on Feb 6., 2024, about 18 months after he initially shared his stomach cancer diagnosis.
The statement noted that he passed away "peacefully" on Monday night surrounded by family, adding, "He fought his fight with grace and courage."
Below, a closer look at "Don't Let the Old Man In," including what inspired Keith to write it.
What inspired Toby Keith to write 'Don't Let the Old Man In'?
The song was inspired by a conversation Toby Keith had with Clint Eastwood in May 2017. The two shared a golf cart at Eastwood’s golf tournament in California, and the Oscar-winning director mentioned he was leaving the next day for three-month shoot to make a movie called The Mule. "How do you do it, man?" Keith asked.
"I just don’t let the old man in,” Eastwood responded. From there, Keith got to writing.
After hearing the song, Eastwood wound up putting it in The Mule.
Related: Toby Keith's Net Worth at the Time of His Death
What are the lyrics to 'Don't Let the Old Man In'?
Don't let the old man in
I wanna leave this alone
Can't leave it up to him
He's knocking on my door
And I knew all of my life
That someday it would end
Get up and go outside
Don't let the old man in
Many moons I have lived
My body's weathered and worn
Ask yourself how would you be
If you didn't know the day you were born
Try to love on your wife
And stay close to your friends
Toast each sundown with wine
Don't let the old man in
Many moons I have lived
My body's weathered and worn
Ask yourself how would you be
If you didn't know the day you were born
When he rides up on his horse
And you feel that cold bitter wind
Look out your window and smile
Don't let the old man in
Look out your window and smile
Don't let the old man in
What's the meaning of Toby Keith's 'Don't Let the Old Man In'?
At its core, 'Don't Let the Old Man In" is a song about how time comes for all of us, but we can't let it get to us. It's another way of saying we should live life to the fullest while we're here.
