About the song
When Toby Keith took the stage at the 2002 Flameworthy Awards, few could have anticipated just how powerful and unforgettable his performance of “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)” would be. In a time when the United States was still reeling from the tragedy of September 11, 2001, Keith delivered a song that wasn’t just music—it was a declaration of resilience, patriotism, and raw, unapologetic American pride.
With his signature cowboy hat, guitar slung over his shoulder, and fire in his voice, Toby Keith didn’t just sing the lyrics—he embodied them. The crowd rose to their feet as the first few chords rang out, instantly recognizing the anthem that had already sparked both controversy and admiration across the nation. The lyrics, bold and unfiltered, captured a collective sense of anger, grief, and fierce national loyalty. “We’ll put a boot in your ass, it’s the American way”—that line, in particular, struck a chord with many Americans who felt their pain needed a voice.
The Flameworthy Awards, which would later evolve into what we now know as the CMT Music Awards, provided the perfect stage for such a performance. It wasn’t just another country music showcase—it became a moment of national catharsis. The audience, made up of fans, artists, and industry figures, responded with thunderous applause, some even wiping away tears.
What made the performance truly memorable wasn’t just the song’s political edge or its aggressive tone. It was the honesty behind it. Keith wrote it as a tribute to his father, a veteran, and to all those who serve. In that moment on stage, he reminded us that music can be more than just entertainment—it can be a way to process pain, to show unity, and to say, loudly and clearly, that we stand together.
Toby Keith’s performance in 2002 wasn’t just a highlight of the night—it became a defining moment in post-9/11 American music.
Video
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
