Toby Keith Has a Love/Hate Relationship With the "American Ride"
Toby Keith's video for "American Ride" may be controversial in many respects, but it's certainly equal-opportunity satire. There are scenes with a flood of people in sombreros jumping the Mexican border and foreign leaders shown as pirates, but also parts where Keith seems against most of American culture -- including depicting our own leaders as pawns to big business. Its point may be just to skewer everyone and everything -- to throw egg in the face of the modern world. But I think it's interesting that Keith uses the analogy of America as a "ride." After all, whether it's a carnival ride or a motorcycle ride, most rides end up in the same place they started from. So maybe rather than rambling about all the things he hates (and the TV culture seems to be No. 1 on that list), he's wondering when it will all come back around. Or maybe Keith just wanted to remind us that its the contradictions that make America the great place and idea that it is. Here he can sing about his critical views to the whole world, all the while riding a fossil fuel-burning American flag and stressing that he "loves this American Ride."
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Bradfan says:
Guess you don’t want feedback unless its positive well hear it goes, the video and song stink.
Lynn says:
CLASSIC TOBY!! He says what he thinks! Great as always!
Redmaz says:
More drivel from the Archie Bunker of Pop Country…
steve harrison says:
Mr. Keith once again shows why he’s a leader in today’s country music. I loved the song before but once I saw the video I love it even more! I guess if you have a certain perspective you’re not allowed opinions.
Hmmmm….
Lauri says:
UM….Well.. It’s different… :)
jaypkay says:
problem is he can write,play,sing and he is country. lets say he dropped f bomb, couldnt sing or play and dislayed a gang mental thing all would be cool. He would fit the accepted profile of todays establishment.
Daniel says:
This song sucks really really bad! I dk which is worse the song or the video!
Sammi says:
I am sorry, but this song is soooo true. That is why I love it because it’s true, and it’s talks about what is going on right now in the country.
Jorge says:
An amusing video. Song is catchy as hell. I think I have more respect for him after seeing this video. I may have had the wrong impression of Mr. Keith.
Bob Dylan says:
this is the best song ever written…..
Ruth says:
I loved the song the first time I heard it. And the video is right on point. Any other video would not have done the song justice. And crazy as we all might be here in America, we ‘love this American Ride.’
Carole says:
This is great song and I love the video. I love all of Toby songs and video.
Nancy says:
Way to go Toby. Im a big fan. Love the song and the vidio.
waynoe says:
It’s a great video and depict how many feel in America. The original poster here does not commit on how he feels on the video as the statements are too general, but I have a notion that he rides left of the center line. If so, we don’t care about your diatribe. If not, be clearer about your thoughts.
Sis says:
Toby ain’t afraid to say what he feels thats why he’s cool.
krista says:
says what he thinks??? He’s a hippocrite…and a famewhore…5 years ago he was sticking up for Bush and writing about this great country…now he’s making fun of it. He loves the attention more than the music.
janetgijoenurse says:
Krista couldn’t said it better. and you call this singing, HELLO he screams through the whole song, there is NO singing in this song.
Chocolatecowgurl says:
Toby is merely expressing what the rest of us feels! I say, “Amen Brother!” It is about time!! People don’t like it? Too bad - better get used to it because this is only the beginning; especially if NOBAMA and his cohorts continue down the path they are going!
God Bless Toby Keith! Oops! Now I guess the God police are going to hunt me down too!
janetgijoenurse says:
It is NOT the song or the subject matter that I don’t like its the fact he is NOT singing but SCREAMING throughout the song. Any person could of sang the song as good as Toby.
Take your ear muffs off people he does nothing but SCREAM and YELL in that song. Any idiot off the street could of done that. TOBY DID YOU FORGET HOW TO SING.
janetgijoenurse says:
Toby was an equal opportunity player by the way, to the person that mention Obama. He was rude to President Bush as much as President Obama.
DABO says:
I too loved the song before the video! Toby Keith is one of the few who is not afraid to speak his mind (which by the way for most of you out there IS THE TRUTH about the different “situations” our country is in). COME ON …YOU KNOW YOU HAVE THOUGHT IT!!!! . Maybe the video was made in the “cartoonist” format so those who can’t understand his “screaming” can understand it in the “easy on your mind” format. OK now … DO YOU GET IT ??!! KEEP ON KEEPING ON TOBY!
Love Toby but… says:
This is the first time I’ve heard this song. I love Toby’s music but,the video just wasn’t for me. The whole puppet thing is just too much.
However,I like his strong opinion and his backbone.And I’m envious of that b/c I hide my opinions, a lot.
His songs are reminiscent of Hank Williams, Jr.
Sis says:
I love the song but I don’t care much for the video. I love the fact that he speeks his mind, more people should start doing that before something bad happens to this country.
hotelmotel says:
CCBIG says, “Don’t like it get the hell out.”
I say, “If you don’t like it, work to improve it.”
Lea says:
Thanks Toby love the video and proud to be a fan of a artist that has a backbone and not afraid to say how it is.
s. brown says:
Geez…get a grip………AND a sense of humor!
Apparently a few of you can’t handle the truth!
Walter says:
Hi.Tobey keith is great!This song is great!this is classic tobeyK.Also kelliepickler is great!Everyone please vote for both tobey keith and kelliepickler on cmt powerpicks and for the top20 and for everything.Tobey keith and kelliepickler love you all.Take care all.Have a great weekend all!
Jane says:
Come on….you know it is all true. Perhaps Toby Keith will raise more awareness with American Ride. If more politicians saw this maybe they could see what is hapening in America. The SYSTEM is a joke. I am now a Toby Keith Fan.
Aly says:
I love it. Everything he mention in this video is so true. I don’t think any other artist can make it any more clear than Toby Keith. Is going to be a controversial video but he is right on target with everything that is going on right now with this country of ours.
Jackie says:
Isn’t it great we live in a country where we can say and sing what we feel. Toby loves his country and all his
fans know this. Thanks for telling it like it is now
in 2009. Wake up Americans.
Sis says:
Amen, Jackie.
Roatmeal says:
Absolutely loved the video and lyrics. Toby Keith is “politically incorrect” in so many ways - hats off to him for putting his heart and soul in his songs! Wish more people took his stance. Kick on Brother!
Vicki says:
LOVE this song! And I LOVE how Toby is never afraid to speak his mind! Maybe if more were like that, this country would not be in the mess that it’s in!
Peg says:
You go Toby, more people need to speak their minds about the crap going on in this country…unemployment, higher taxes and surcharges, what the heck, how are we in this great country suppose to live even a mediocre life.
Terri says:
love it !!!!!! he always says what he thinks and its sooooo true!!!!!!!!!
SuperK says:
Toby makes me proud. The song and video get 10 out of 10. ANYONE that hates this is a wannabe socialist or communist.
Johnny says:
Roger that SuperK. You couldn’t ask for a better song. Whats wrong people? Does the truth hurt? Keep it up Toby!
Andrea says:
SuperK: a wannabe socialist or communist?
You should have lived in a communistic country and you wouldn’t draw this comparison. You have no idea what you’re talking about - as some of your right wing media. Anything that is discussed in your country is not even close to socialism and communism.
Drew says:
Communist!
Andie says:
Evokes a sad smile.
wiscLPN says:
Love it! I wish more people had Toby’s guts to stand up and say what he feels….I say good for him and I hope he makes 100 more songs just like it….
S says:
I love Toby. Gee, I wonder who he was singing about on the lines “Got herself a record deal, can’t even sing note?”
T J says:
Well S, if you paid attention to the video you would know the answer to that question - it was the pageant contestant.
but, as always you have a problem with real talent - your loss.
S says:
I know the song and video show that it’s the beauty padgent queen that he’s talking about. But is that who he’s REALLY talking about???
Diplotek says:
Darn - I forwarded a copy of the video link to flag@whitehouse.gov but it bounced back! How is Obama going to keep track of dissidents if we can’t rat them out? We need a Country Music Czar!
Sis says:
No, Diplotek we need a new president a (REPUBLICAN) PRESIDENT. But funny comment anyway.
Jess says:
I hope all the idiots running this country see this vid
Stu says:
I think hes talkin about Ben Laten when he say cant sing a note cause Ben Laten cant really sing that well.
Hick says:
I loved this song first time I heard it. I heard it several times on the radio then it ‘disappeared’. Nobody is playing it here at all. How come???????????
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lbzapper says:
I love the song. Toby did not write this song, but sings it great. Toby says what he thinks and I love that about him. Toby can take what ever crap comes is way about the video. I look at the video as just being funny. But there is a lot of truth in it. I have seen Toby sing this in person at a recent concert and it goes over very well and Toby sounds great singing it.
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Donna Shepler says:
I love this song; it is all the truths about our great US that no-one wants to her or fess-up to; Toby loves his country’ he shows it in many ways. I think a lot of people have a love/hate relationship with America right now. And hiding the plan ugly truth isnt going to make it better. Dont dump on Toby for his forth-right coming. Jump on that American Ride and fight for what you know we need. Speak up America-we are the people and we make our own down fall or our victory Love ya Toby
Beverly says:
One part of one verse disturbs me - about the wife getting her rocks off watching desperate housewives while the husband is working his ass off paying for the good life. WOW — don’t know about ya’ll but this gal works just as hard as her husband. Puts women in less than good light. Toby disappointed me.
Dawn says:
The song and video are garbage. Maybe this is his true level, and all he can rise to. Shame on him, and shame on country music, for becoming pop crap wanna-bes.
dejavue says:
Toby Keith did not write this song, but I suppose he generally agrees with most of it.
But it a catchy pop tune with a great video and makes some good and bad points. I can’t wait to see if he plays this at Obama’s Nobel Peace prize concert.
Amanda Oldfield says:
Who is toby talking about when he says
..Got herself a record deal cant even sing a note!
Is there someone specail?
Code Red says:
To all the people who don’t like Toby Keith’s music, I swear you have to be death because he makes great music. Only part I don’t like in this song is when he says “Plasma’s getting bigger, Jesus getting smaller.”