Toby Keith, the renowned country music star, made a triumphant return to his roots in Norman, Oklahoma, setting the stage ablaze during his highly anticipated cancer benefit concert. This patriotic event, held on the memorable weekend of July 4th, witnessed Keith’s passionate performance that left the audience spellbound.
In addition to expressing his gratitude towards the hundreds of attendees who flocked to support him, Keith seized the opportunity to deliver a fiery and unapologetic message, truly capturing the essence of Independence Day. Fearlessly speaking about patriotism and unwavering love for his country and its people, Keith exclaimed, “Don’t apologize for being patriotic, f*** em,” as he belted out his iconic anthem, “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue.” Prepare to be blown away by the intensity of his performance in the video below.
The poignant lyrics of Keith’s renowned song resonate deeply with the spirit of American pride: “Justice will be served and the battle will rage / This big dog will fight when you rattle his cage / And you’ll be sorry that you messed with / The U.S. of A. / ‘Cause we’ll put a boot in your ass / It’s the American way.”
As the song continues, it evokes a powerful imagery: “Hey uncle sam put your name at the top of his list / And the Statue of Liberty started shakin’ her fist / And the eagle will fly, it’s gonna be hell / When you hear mother freedom start ringin’ her bell / And it feels like the whole wide world is raining down on you / Brought to you courtesy of the red white and blue.”
When asked about the inspiration behind this patriotic anthem, Keith revealed in a 2002 CNN interview, “I was real angry when I saw that second plane hit that tower and wondered what my dad would have thought about it. And the lyrics just fell out of me.” He further emphasized that this song became his way of serving his country, resonating with the troops who embraced it wholeheartedly.
However, Keith’s unwavering dedication to his country and his support for the military has not been without controversy. In 2002, during a July 4th country music special on ABC, Keith was abruptly removed by Canadian leftist Peter Jennings, whom he boldly referred to as the “soft underbelly” of America.
Beyond this iconic anthem, Keith’s unwavering commitment to patriotism runs deep. Coming from a family with a proud military background, as his father was a veteran who lost his eye in service, Keith has consistently shown his support for the armed forces. In the midst of the War on Terror, he fearlessly traveled to warzones, lending his voice to uplift the spirits of American troops. Reflecting on this decision in 2009, Keith expressed, “I’ve been all over the world, and there’s no place that can touch the U.S., so we have to defend this soil vigilantly.”
Unafraid to call out the hypocrisy of those who threaten to leave the country in the face of political differences, Keith scornfully remarked, “When Bush was re-elected, you heard… all those really liberal people say that they hate him so bad they’re moving out of the country. And now that Obama has been elected, you hear the same stuff from some of the rights… But you never see them move; it’s just all of them flapping their gums.”
Toby Keith’s recent cancer benefit concert showcased not only his extraordinary talent but also his unyielding devotion to his country and its people. As he resurfaced in his hometown, he delivered an unforgettable performance that embodied the very spirit of patriotism. Watch his electrifying show and prepare to be moved by the power of his words.