Red, White, and Blue Controversy Quiz

Answer: The Angry American

The song is also called "The Angry American". Although the song was a number one hit on Country radio, it had a mixed reception. "Blender" magazine named it one of the "50 Worst Songs Ever". Keith said, "It wasn't written for everybody. And when you write something from your heart - I had a dad that was a veteran, taught me how precious our freedom is - I was so angry when we were attacked here on American soil that it leaked out of me." (Source: CBS News Online, 11/5/2003, "The Early Show")

Answer: Natalie Maines of The Dixie Chicks

Natalie Maines told the "Los Angeles Daily News", "I hate it. It's ignorant, and it makes country music sound ignorant. It targets an entire culture - and not just the bad people who did bad things. You've got to have some tact. Anybody can write, 'We'll put a boot in your ass'.

But a lot of people agree with it. The kinds of songs I prefer on the subject are like Bruce Springsteen's new songs". The feud took on a life of its own and Keith later regretted how it all went down. He said, "I really disappointed myself in that, but you live and learn, and hopefully next time somebody decides to critique my music, another artist, maybe I'll take the high road next time." (Source: top40-charts.com, 08/08/2002)

Answer: Gen. James L. Jones, Commandant of the Marine Corps

After hearing the song, Gen. James L. Jones told Keith, "It's your job as an entertainer to lift the morale of the troops. If you want to serve, that is what you can do." (Source: Wikipedia)

Keith recalled it this way, "He [the Marine Corp commandant] said, 'You have to release it. You can serve your country in other ways besides suiting up in combat. We will go kick their butts. But we survive on morale. I mean, we live on the morale. That's what we travel on. I highly recommend you put that song out.'" (Source: CBS News Online, 60II section).

Keith recorded the song and released it as the lead single off the album "Unleashed" (2002).

Answer: He served in the Army and lost his right eye.

The actual lyrics are: "My daddy served in the army where he lost his right eye." Keith credits his father with instilling the patriotism in him that led to the song "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue." Keith has gone on at least seven USO tours. He does not shy away from going where the action is, visiting forward operating bases in combat zones whenever possible. (Source: USO Website, 2010)

Answer: Unleashed

"Unleashed" was released in 2002, with "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue" as its lead single. Other notable songs from the album include "Who's Your Daddy?" and "Beer For My Horses", both of which also reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

Answer: Peter Jennings

Peter Jennings was hosting a patriotic show for ABC and Keith had been invited to sing his song. Jennings asked Keith to tone down the lyrics, but Keith refused. In an interview on "60 Minutes II" for CBS, Keith said, "I thought it was hilarious. My statement was, 'Isn't he Canadian?' to a bunch of press.

They laughed and then I said, 'Well, I bet Dan Rather wouldn't kick me off his show'". (Source: CBS News Online, 60II section)

Answer: The Statue of Liberty

The lyrics are: "And the Statue of Liberty started shaking her fist" and Uncle Sam "put your name at the top of his list". Also in the song, Mother Freedom was ringing her bell. Toby's father "flew a flag out in our yard 'til the day that he died". Toby says he wrote the song in twenty minutes, about a week after the attacks.

The language certainly does evoke the emotions of that time period.

Answer: We'll bomb you back to the stone age where you belong

"We'll bomb you back to the stone age where you belong" is not in the song. All of the rest are found in the song. These lyrics are what so many people objected to, but also what so many people identified with. Keith has never been afraid to write lyrics that he thinks tell the truth. "How Do You Like Me Now?", "I Wanna Talk About Me", and "Beer For My Horses" are some of Keith's other more colorful songs.

Answer: American Soldier

"American Soldier" was released on the album "Shock'n Y'all" in 2003. Like "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue", it also reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" was written and sung by Alan Jackson also in response to 9-11. "The Long Goodbye" was sung by Brooks and Dunn. "I Saw God Today" was a song by George Straight.

Answer: So that his family could grow up and live happy in the land of the free

The lyrics are "He wanted my mother, my brother, my sister and me to grow up and live happy in the land of the free". Toby Keith also talks about all of the men who have lost their lives "so we can sleep in peace at night when we lay down our heads". Of the lyrics in the song the most controversial line was "'Cos we'll put a boot in your ass, it's the American way". That line in particular was cited by Natalie Maines as being ignorant.