Internet tears up seeing Toby Keith sing 'Red White and Blue' in an Uber months before death from cancer

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA: In one of his last videos, country music icon Toby Keith was singing his popular song 'Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue' in the back of an Uber before he died from stomach cancer on February 5, 2024.

The ferocious post-9/11 song 'Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)' was released by the country music legend in 2002 to honor American soldiers headed to the war.

In a self-uploaded video from July 14, 2023, Keith can be seen singing for the other riders and the driver in the rear seat of an Uber while holding a karaoke microphone and facing a screen with lyrics.

"This is what happens when my Uber has a karaoke machine..." Keith captioned the post on X (formerly Twitter).

Toby Keith didn't intend to release 'Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue'

According to TIME Magazine, Keith's brazen and unabashed song 'Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue' continues to be a microcosm of America's contentious reaction to 9/11 nearly two decades after he died on February 5 at the age of 62.

The defiant hymn expressed the fury that was roiling a traumatized nation in the wake of the bloodiest attack on US territory in recent history. But pacifists and media gatekeepers who thought Keith went too far also took issue with the song's stark, saber-rattling lyrics.

According to Songfacts, Keith was inspired to write the song by two events: the events of September 11 and the death of his father who died in early 2011.

Keith was pondering his father's possible response — who was a patriot and a veteran — to 9/11 when he created the song.

A week after the attacks, Keith spent roughly 20 minutes by himself writing the song. He had originally intended to do it for the troops during USO events and never intended to commercially release the song.

After performing the song for the leaders of the Pentagon, the commandant of the Marine Corps approached Keith. The country music icon recalled him saying, "You have to release it. You can serve your country in other ways besides suiting up for combat."

The song gained controversy with lyrics like "We’ll put a boot in your ass, it’s the American way," while becoming one of his most popular tracks at the time.

The country singles chart was topped by it. The song became Keith's biggest hit across all genres when it peaked at No 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Keith passed away "peacefully" on Monday, February 5, night in the presence of his loved ones, according to his family, after battling cancer with "grace and courage."

Internet reacts to Toby Keith's 2023 'Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue' Uber cover

Journalist Greg Price re-shared the famous video of Keith's 2023 Uber performance the day after he died from cancer at 62, calling it "One of Toby Keith’s last gifts to us."

Other online fans and followers flocked to the comment section of the post to hail the late country music icon, with one saying, "NEVER gets old. Amazing every time you hear it. What an immense loss."

Attorney Mehek Cooke replied to the post and said, "Never apologize for being a patriot.” Words that we must live by. Toby Keith was a true legend."

"What a memorable and patriotic moment! Toby Keith's karaoke rendition of "Courtesy of the Red White and Blue" in the back of an Uber is truly a gift to cherish," noted a third fan.

Another one wrote in part: "Toby Keiths rendition of "Courtesy of the Red White and Blue" is a reminder of the power of music to evoke emotions tied to national identity. It showcases the democratizing effect of technology, as even a karaoke machine in the back of an Uber becomes a platform for artistic expression."

Another one posted, "Awesome, I had that song on repeat in 2002".

"Sure am going to miss him, my favorite!!!" exclaimed one more.

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