[citation needed], ABC invited Keith to sing "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue" on a patriotic special it produced in 2002; however, the host of the show, Canadian-born newsman Peter Jennings, requested Keith soften the lyrics of the song or choose another song to sing. It is the lead single from his seventh studio album, Unleashed. Reportedly, it only took him 20 minutes to create “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American).“. Some people got goose bumps. He revealed what he thinks about the song: “It wasn’t written for everybody. "I have no stance on the Iraq war," he continues, "but the second [that I say], Ι have no stance there, I'm not smart enough to tell whether we should be in there or not". "If you want to serve, that is what you can do. “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” was the lead single off Toby Keith’s 2002 album “Unleashed”, released on July 23rd, 2002. With this, Keith made it the lead single of his 2002 album Unleashed. Keith noted that the song was written with reference to the war in Afghanistan, claiming to be indifferent on other conflicts, "but you don't have to listen but once to the words to understand that the song was strictly for Afghanistan". However, Commandant of the Marine Corps James l. Jones suggested to Keith that he rather record it to inspire more people. Any thoughts? The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on January 3, 2006, and platinum on March 27, 2012. June 5, 2003. As earlier mentioned, “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)” came into being because of the death of his father and the attacks that happened on 9/11. Covel, was killed in a car accident. 25 on the pop chart giving Keith his biggest solo on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Inspired by the death of his father in March 2001, as well as the terrorist attacks that happened on September 11, 2001, Keith conceived this poignant song. Some people were emotionally moved. He shared: “But you don’t have to listen but once to the words to understand that the song was strictly for Afghanistan. My statement was, ‘Isn't he Canadian?’ to a bunch of press. [11], *sales figures based on certification alone^shipments figures based on certification alone. Tell us what you think. Reviews of the song as well as its impact to fans were favorable. Share the country spirit, folks! Some people were emotionally moved. Further, he told Keith: “It’s your job as an entertainer to lift the morale of the troops. They laughed and then I said, ‘Well, I bet Dan Rather wouldn't kick me off his show,’" says Keith. In addition, he also co-produced the song with friend James Stroud for DreamWorks Nashville Records. "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Toby Keith. Natalie Maines states "we said some things that came out wrong, but now we got a brand new song", which was later confirmed to be referencing the feud with Keith. American country music artist Toby Keith sure has a lot of patriotic songs to share with us but this one, in particular, is definitely on top of the bunch. [6] On May 21, 2003, Maines wore a T-shirt with the letters "FUTK" on the front at the Academy of Country Music Awards. The music video was directed by Michael Salomon and premiered in the summer of 2002. This is a widget ready area. It is a partial live performance, showing Keith performing on stage to a group of soldiers. In fact, it sat atop the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. The lead singer of the Dixie Chicks, Natalie Maines, publicly stated that the song was "ignorant, and it makes country music sound ignorant.