Introduction:
A Lonely Valentine with Toby Keith
Released in 1993 on Toby Keith’s album “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” “Valentine” isn’t your typical love song for the holiday. Instead, it takes a melancholic look at love lost.
While details about the song’s inspiration or origin haven’t been publicly shared by Toby Keith, the lyrics paint a picture of a man grappling with the absence of a loved one on Valentine’s Day. He describes going through the motions of traditional gestures – buying a card, getting flowers – but acknowledges the hollowness they hold without his partner.
The song explores themes of heartbreak and longing. Lines like “These are some of the little things / That I do ’cause I still love you” showcase the narrator’s enduring affection despite the separation. The chorus emphasizes the sharp contrast between the festive atmosphere and his own internal struggle: “Valentine, girl do you still think about me / I still wake up at night callin’ out your name / And the roses are there / Paper hearts are everywhere / But the fourteenth of February / Will never be the same.”
“Valentine” offers a relatable perspective for those who find themselves alone on a day typically associated with couples. While Toby Keith is known for his bravado and patriotism in many songs, “Valentine” showcases a more vulnerable side, exploring the raw emotions of loss and the lingering hope for reconciliation.