The story behind Toby Keith’s controversial 9/11 anthem 'Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue'

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA: When country music star Toby Keith released the fiery post-9/11 song 'Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)' in 2002, he intended it as a patriotic tribute for American troops headed into war.

The defiant anthem gave voice to the outrage coursing through a wounded nation following the deadliest attack on US soil in modern history. However, its blunt saber-rattling lyrics also stirred controversy among media gatekeepers and pacifists who felt Keith went too far.

Nearly two decades later as Keith died this week at 62, his bold and unapologetic song remains a microcosm of America’s heated response to 9/11, as per TIME Magazine.

Toby Keith got idea for the song while organizing his fantasy football team

Keith got the idea for the song just days after 9/11 while organizing his fantasy football team. As he told TIME magazine in 2004, the lyrics "tumbled out of him in a 20-minute writing binge" as he scribbled words on the back of a sheet of paper. He had wanted to write something to honor the US troops heading off to war in the wake of 9/11.

The song, later nicknamed 'The Angry American,' was unapologetically jingoistic. The lyrics threatened that attackers would be "sorry that you messed with the USA, 'cause we’ll put a boot in your ass, it’s the American way."

Keith later admitted, "I knew there was going to be trouble" for using such direct language. However, he felt the graphic lyrics matched the extreme emotions of the time.

Toby Keith's 'Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue' reached 25 on Billboard Hot 100

The rawness of the song worried some early on. When Keith performed 'Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue' for Pentagon officials in hopes of singing it for troops, most loved it but some were concerned it was too adversarial.

Major TV networks also balked at playing such a controversial song amid a wave of patriotism after 9/11. Keith was slated to play 'Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue' during a July 4th TV special in 2002 hosted by journalist Peter Jennings, who reportedly nixed the song at the last minute.

Despite the hesitation by some media gatekeepers, the song was a huge hit, reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It became an unofficial battle hymn for troops in Iraq, with lyrics displayed on at least one tank barreling through Baghdad.

The 2004 TIME profile of Keith crowned him "the poet laureate of righteous indignation" for giving voice to the nation’s complex emotions after 9/11. However, Keith rejected being labeled "a redneck patriot," saying his own views on military intervention were mixed.

Internet reacts to the renewed attention surrounding Toby Keith's 9/11 anthem

In response to the renewed attention surrounding Keith's 9/11 anthem, internet users voiced a myriad of opinions. One X user expressed incredulity, stating, "Why was it controversial? Never met a soul in my life that didn’t enjoy that song." The sentiment of admiration echoed in another user's comment, simply stating, "Love that song lyrics."

A third user acknowledged Keith's broader contributions, noting, "He was known for his numerous number 1 songs. Also being a patriot." Meanwhile, a more skeptical tone emerged with someone challenging the notion of controversy, asking, "Controversial says who."

A fifth user, with a touch of nostalgia, remarked, "We all who lived through that can certainly understand the sentiment of those lyrics. I'm sorry to hear Toby Keith is gone, and I'm also sorry that with most things the situation couldn't be resolved by simply booting somebody in the butt."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.