Introduction
“Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue (The Angry American)” is a stirring country anthem by Toby Keith, released on May 27, 2002, as the lead single from his album Unleashed . Born out of personal and national grief, the song is deeply rooted in Keith’s emotions following the death of his father, H.K. Covel, in March 2001 and the September 11 attacks later that year .
According to Keith, the lyrics poured out in about 20 minutes, scribbled on the back of a fantasy football sheet under the working title “The Angry American” . Reflecting on his father’s military service—who lost an eye in the Korean War yet proudly flew Old Glory—and the raw surge of patriotism post-9/11, Keith crafted a defiant message: “And you’ll be sorry that you messed with the U.S. of A. / We’ll put a boot in your ass.” .
Initially performed only at military shows, the song gained momentum when Marine Corps Commandant James L. Jones urged Keith to record it, calling it his patriotic duty. The song was a commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in July 2002 and No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100—his biggest solo hit at the time . It earned multi-platinum certification, emblematic of its enduring popularity .
However, its aggressive tone drew controversy. ABC reportedly dropped Keith from a Patriot Day special after anchor Peter Jennings objected to the song’s fiery lyrics—a move that amplified its publicity . Critics, including Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks, labeled it “ignorant,” while supporters defended it as an authentic expression of American grief and solidarity .
Now ingrained in America’s post‑9/11 cultural memory, “Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue” stands not just as a hit single, but as a raw, unapologetic anthem. This 300‑word introduction sets the stage for understanding how personal loss and national tragedy combined to create a patriotic rallying cry that resonated across the country while fueling debates about patriotism, anger, and artistic freedom.
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Lyrics
American girls and American guys
We’ll always stand up and salute
We’ll always recognize
When we see Old Glory flying
There’s a lot of men dead
So we can sleep in peace at night when we lay down our head
My daddy served in the army
Where he lost his right eye but he flew a flag out in our yard
‘Til the day that he died
He wanted my mother, my brother, my sister and me
To grow up and live happy
In the land of the free
Now this nation that I love has fallen under attack
A mighty sucker punch came flyin’ in from somewhere in the back
Soon as we could see clearly
Through our big black eye
Man, we lit up your world
Like the fourth of July
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 man, 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
Oh, brought to you courtesy of the red white and blue
Oh, and 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
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’ll feel like the whole wide world is raining down on you
Oh, brought to you courtesy of the red white and blue
Oh-oh, of the red, white and blue
Oh-oh, of my red, white and blue