Introduction:
Country music icon Toby Keith released the introspective ballad “Missed You Just Right” in 2012. The song found a home on his album Hope on the Rocks, a collection of tracks that leaned toward a more traditional country sound than some of Keith’s previous work. “Missed You Just Right” wasn’t written solely by Keith. He collaborated with two other Nashville songwriters, Scotty Emerick and Chris Stapleton, both of whom have become successful artists in their own right. Stapleton, a revered singer-songwriter known for his gravelly vocals, would go on to win multiple Grammy Awards just a few years after the release of “Missed You Just Right.”
The song itself wasn’t initially planned as a single. But after “Hope on the Rocks” was released, radio stations began playing “Missed You Just Right” on their own accord. The positive listener response was undeniable, and soon “Missed You Just Right” was officially released as a single. It became a massive hit, climbing to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. “Missed You Just Right” wasn’t just a hit within the country genre, it achieved crossover success, reaching number 14 on the all-encompassing Billboard Hot 100 chart. This impressive feat showcased the song’s broad appeal and solidified “Missed You Just Right” as one of Keith’s most successful singles.
Lyrically, “Missed You Just Right” explores the complexities of past love. The narrator acknowledges the lingering feelings for a former partner but recognizes that the timing wasn’t right for their relationship. The song expresses a bittersweet sentiment; there’s a pang of loss for what could have been, but also a sense of acceptance and understanding that their paths needed to diverge for a while. “Missed You Just Right” avoids falling into cliche territory, presenting a mature outlook on love and heartbreak that resonated with many listeners.
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Lyrics:
I knew I’d run into youSomeday out there somewhereYou’d smile and talk for a whileLike there was nothing ever really thereAnd you act like you don’t see this pretty girl I’ve got with meYou finally get around to talk about ‘oh did you miss me’I missed you on your weekend WhiskeyGetting crazy at the barI missed you running late on SundaysSliding in as the preacher startsI missed you at my sister’s weddingI’d be lying if I said you didn’t cross my mindBut I’ve found the love of my lifeI think I missed you just rightIn a crazy way I should thank youFor making me move onI was surprised with your goodbyeBut now I’m grateful that you’re goneI’ve found the one that makes the mistakes I made make perfect senseShe’ll ask me if I think about you every now and thenI missed you on your weekend WhiskeyGetting crazy at the barI missed you running late on SundaysSliding in as the preacher startsI missed you at my sister’s weddingI’d be lying if I said you didn’t cross my mindI’ve found the love of my lifeI think I missed you just rightNo I’m not sad or angry like I wasI’m just in loveI missed you on your weekend WhiskeyGetting crazy at the barI missed you running late on SundaysSliding in as the preacher startsI missed you at my sister’s weddingI’d be lying if I said you didn’t cross my mindBut, I’ve found the love of my lifeI think I missed you just rightYeah I missed you just rightI think I missed you just right