Introduction:
“High Maintenance Woman” is a single by country artist Toby Keith, released in February 2007 as the lead track from his album Big Dog Daddy. Co-written by Keith alongside Tim Wilson and Danny Simpson, the song delivers a lighthearted, humorous narrative about a maintenance worker infatuated with a woman who is out of his league, lamenting that “a high-maintenance woman don’t want no maintenance man.” The track plays with the colloquial term “high maintenance,” typically used to describe someone who is demanding or particular in their lifestyle.
Musically, the song captures a classic country vibe, with upbeat instrumentation and Keith’s signature baritone voice anchoring the clever lyrics. Critics praised its humor and catchy melody, with some noting its ability to balance tongue-in-cheek storytelling with Keith’s solid vocal performance. Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe gave it an A−, appreciating both its writing and Keith’s delivery.
“High Maintenance Woman” peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and reached number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also saw moderate success in Canada, peaking at number 50 on the Canadian Hot 100. The song’s music video, directed by Michael Salomon, featured Keith playing the role of the maintenance man, adding a comedic visual element to the track’s narrative.
Overall, the song fits well into Toby Keith’s portfolio of relatable, story-driven country music, known for its blend of humor and heartfelt emotion. It solidified his standing as one of country’s most successful and enduring performers during the 2000s.