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The Bold Message in Toby Keith’s ‘Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue’

About The Song

Background

“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” was released in May 2002 by country music singer Toby Keith. It served as the lead single for his album, “Unleashed.” The song emerged just eight months after the September 11th terrorist attacks, a period of heightened patriotism and national outrage in the United States.

Musical Style

The song is a country rock anthem. It features a driving beat with a prominent drum line, distorted guitars, and Keith’s characteristic baritone vocals. The music evokes a sense of power and resolve, aligning with the lyrical themes of American strength and defiance.

Lyrics

The lyrics are a direct and unapologetic expression of American patriotism and anger in the wake of 9/11. The song opens with a spoken-word intro referencing the World Trade Center attacks:

“Some folks like to argue about foreign policy / First thing you learn at Ol’ Miss is geography / It’s about twenty-five miles from here to the Gulf of Mexico / And about that far from where them sons of bitches came.”

The verses depict a series of stereotypical American figures, like farmers and cowboys, who are united in their anger and willingness to defend the country. The chorus emphasizes American dominance and a desire for vengeance:

“And we’ll put a boot in your ass it’s the American way” “Courtesy of the red, white, and blue”

The song doesn’t shy away from violence and expresses a strong sense of “us vs. them” mentality. It became a rallying cry for many Americans who shared feelings of anger and a desire for swift retribution.

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Cultural Impact

“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” was a massive commercial success. It topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and became an anthem for post-9/11 patriotism. The song was featured heavily on country radio stations and at sporting events. However, the song’s nationalistic fervor and violent undertones also sparked controversy.

Critics argued that the song was overly simplistic and promoted a one-dimensional view of the complexities of the September 11th attacks and the War on Terror. They felt it glorified violence and could incite further animosity.

Despite the criticism, the song resonated with a significant portion of the American public. It captured the anger, fear, and national unity felt by many in the aftermath of 9/11. The song became a symbol of American patriotism during a time of crisis.

Legacy

“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” remains a complex and debated song. For some, it’s a powerful expression of patriotism and a reminder of American resilience. For others, it’s a reminder of a more divisive time in American history, reflecting a national mood of anger and a thirst for revenge.

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The song’s legacy is also tied to Toby Keith’s own image. He became a vocal supporter of the Iraq War and has continued to perform the song at concerts, further solidifying its association with American military action in the Middle East.

Conclusion

“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” is a song that is very much a product of its time. It reflects the raw emotions of the American public in the immediate aftermath of the September 11th attacks. While undeniably catchy and a testament to American patriotism, the song remains a controversial reminder of the complexities of war and the power of music to stir emotions.

Video

Lyrics

🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
American girls and American guysWe’ll always stand up and saluteWe’ll always recognizeWhen we see Old Glory flyingThere’s a lot of men deadSo we can sleep in peace at night when we lay down our head
My daddy served in the armyWhere he lost his right eye but he flew a flag out in our yard‘Til the day that he diedHe wanted my mother, my brother, my sister and meTo grow up and live happyIn the land of the free
Now this nation that I love has fallen under attackA mighty sucker punch came flyin’ in from somewhere in the backSoon as we could see clearlyThrough our big black eyeMan, we lit up your worldLike the fourth of July
Hey Uncle Sam, put your name at the top of his listAnd the Statue of Liberty started shakin’ her fistAnd the eagle will fly man, it’s gonna be hellWhen you hear mother freedom start ringin’ her bellAnd it feels like the whole wide world is raining down on youOh, brought to you courtesy of the red white and blue
Oh, and justice will be served and the battle will rageThis big dog will fight when you rattle his cageAnd you’ll be sorry that you messed withThe U.S. of A.‘Cause we’ll put a boot in your assIt’s the American way
Hey Uncle Sam, put your name at the top of his listAnd the Statue of Liberty started shakin’ her fistAnd the eagle will fly it’s gonna be hellWhen you hear mother freedom start ringin’ her bellAnd it’ll feel like the whole wide world is raining down on youOh, brought to you courtesy of the red white and blue
Oh-oh, of the red, white and blueOh-oh, of my red, white and blue

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