Toby Keith sings “Courtesy Of The Red, White, and Blue” While Doing Karaoke In An Uber 🚕 . “Big Dog” and the last song… from the backseat. It was just another ordinary afternoon in Orlando. Krystal called an Uber to take her dad to a small event in town. But they had no idea the car they stepped into would turn out to be a karaoke cab. 🎤🚕 And of course — there it was, that familiar mischievous smile on his face, as if saying: “You ready, girl?” Toby grabbed the mic, grinned wide, and started singing — like that car was his very own mini tour stage. His voice was raspier, weaker than before… but still unmistakably Toby: real, full of humor, and overflowing with love for the music. And this… this was also one of Toby Keith’s final public moments.

Introduction

Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” emerged in 2002 as one of the most iconic—and controversial—patriotic anthems of the post‑9/11 era. Written in the emotional aftermath of two profound personal and national tragedies, Keith channeled raw grief and patriotic anger into a stirring rallying cry. In March 2001, his father Hubert “H.K.” Covel, a Korean War veteran, died in a car accident—a loss that weighed heavily on Keith. Later that year, the September 11 attacks unleashed collective national shock and fury. It was in this crucible of personal loss and communal grief that Keith penned the song, reportedly in about twenty minutes on the back of a fantasy‑football sheet, originally calling it “The Angry American”

Initially performed solo at military and patriotic events, the song struck a chord with service members and citizens alike. Following a performance at the U.S. Naval Academy and with encouragement from the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Keith made the decision to officially record and release it as the lead single from his 2002 album Unleashed . With lyrics like “We’ll put a boot in your ass, it’s the American way,” the song unapologetically voiced America’s righteous fury, cementing Keith’s place as a spokesman for patriotic sentiment.

Upon release on May 27, 2002, the track shot to No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart by July 20 . Its aggressive tone made it a divisive anthem—praised by many for its emotional authenticity and criticized by others (including fellow artists like Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks, who dismissed it as “ignorant”) . Despite the backlash, Keith stood by his work, viewing it as a morale‑boosting message for American troops.

Over time, the song has remained emblematic of America’s early‑2000s zeitgeist, reflecting deep patriotism, personal grief, and collective resolve. It also marked a turning point in Keith’s career—embracing overt political messaging and influencing the role of patriotic themes in country music for years to come

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