<P> Keith discussed the inspiration for the song on his website in 2000 . "Initially, I said,' Here's my title: "You Never Loved Me Before, So How Do You Like Me Now?"' It's one of my catch - phrases . A lot of people become successful after they've been told they won't ever be, so people can relate to this . It can be about an old flame or a boss or a teacher - whatever it means to each individual . It was a fun song to write ." </P> <P> Keith had originally recorded the song near the end of his contract with Mercury Records Nashville in the late 1990s . According to a 2005 interview with Billboard, Keith had the album How Do You Like Me Now?! completed, but label executives rejected the entire album except for two songs: "Getcha Some" and "If a Man Answers", both of which were put on his 1998 Greatest Hits album . After he recorded two more songs which were also rejected, he asked to terminate his contract with Mercury, and purchased the rights to the rest of the album . Upon the album's release in late 1999, both the album and its lead single, "When Love Fades", were performing poorly on the charts; as a result, Keith asked that "When Love Fades" be withdrawn as a single in favor of "How Do You Like Me Now?!" Keith stated that DreamWorks executives were "scared to put it out", but within five days of Keith's request, "When Love Fades" was withdrawn and "How Do You Like Me Now?!" was released . </P> <P> The song discusses Keith's attraction to the female valedictorian of his high school--a beautiful woman who ignored him at the time . Keith wonders if the woman remembers him now that he is famous . </P> <P> The song's music video debuted on the television network CMT on November 22, 1999, and was directed by Michael Salomon . It features Toby Keith singing the song at a hometown football game in the middle of the night . </P>

How do you like me now song meaning
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