When country fans first heard “Think As You Drunk,” many immediately recognized the unmistakable connection to one of Toby Keith’s most beloved songs, “As Good As I Once Was.”
But for Riley Green, this wasn’t simply another drinking song.
It was a tribute.
A salute to one of his musical heroes.
And perhaps one of the most touching homages released since Toby Keith’s passing in February 2024.
The song borrows both its humor and spirit from Keith’s 2005 classic. Like “As Good As I Once Was,” it centers on a man trying to convince everyone around him that he’s in much better shape than he actually is.
Only this time, the narrator is hilariously attempting to prove he isn’t nearly as drunk as everyone thinks.
The title itself is a clever play on words:
“I ain’t as think as you drunk I am.”
Throughout the song, Riley Green delivers a series of laugh-out-loud lines that perfectly capture the playful, barroom storytelling Toby Keith made famous.
“I can’t say ABCs, but I can sing you every song that jukebox plays.”
“I know I can’t stand or sit, but if I was hammered could I dance like this?”
It’s classic country humor—self-deprecating, relatable, and designed to get an entire honky-tonk singing along.
But the song becomes truly special during its final moments.
Because just when listeners think the tribute is over, Toby Keith himself appears.
Using an archival vocal recording, Keith delivers the legendary closing line from “As Good As I Once Was”:
“I may not be as good as I once was… but I’m as good once as I ever was.”
For longtime country fans, it’s an emotional surprise.
Suddenly, Toby’s voice is back.
Not as a memory.
Not as a tribute video.
But right there inside a brand-new country song.
The moment serves as a bridge between generations of country music—connecting one of the defining stars of the 2000s with one of today’s most popular traditional-minded artists.
Riley Green has never hidden his admiration for Toby Keith. He has frequently performed Keith’s songs in concert and often cited him as one of the artists who shaped his approach to country music.
That admiration shines throughout “Think As You Drunk.”
The song doesn’t try to imitate Toby Keith.
Instead, it celebrates everything fans loved about him:
The humor.
The confidence.
The larger-than-life personality.
And the ability to make people smile while telling a great story.
In many ways, “Think As You Drunk” feels like the kind of song Toby Keith himself would have loved.
A cold beer.
A packed bar.
A little mischief.
A lot of laughter.
And a reminder that country music is often at its best when it doesn’t take itself too seriously.
More than two years after Toby Keith’s passing, his influence continues to echo through Nashville.
And thanks to Riley Green’s tribute, fans get one more chance to hear that familiar voice remind them why Toby Keith remains one of country music’s most beloved legends. ❤️