bboat11
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Post by bboat11 on Dec 8, 2019 21:42:53 GMT -5
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.
23. "Courtesy Of The Red, White, And Blue (The Angry American)"
Album: Unleashed Year: 2002
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bboat11
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Post by bboat11 on Dec 8, 2019 21:43:10 GMT -5
...Let the outrage commence...
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toomuchboy
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Post by toomuchboy on Dec 8, 2019 21:48:41 GMT -5
This is about where I expected it would land. This one and "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" both encapsulate the early emotions after 9/11--long before we learned about the Bush administration's lies. Still love this song, even though I was Team Dixie Chicks during their tiff.
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ClevelandRox
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Post by ClevelandRox on Dec 8, 2019 21:51:48 GMT -5
I definitely underranked this- I thought it would be one of the songs to go in the 50's-60's, it should've been in my top 15.
I forever love the imagery of the Statue of Liberty pissed off shaking her fist. 😂
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Cody Wants Out...
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Post by Cody Wants Out... on Dec 8, 2019 21:51:52 GMT -5
23. "Courtesy Of The Red, White, And Blue (The Angry American)"
![](https://giffiles.alphacoders.com/206/206061.gif)
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bboat11
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Post by bboat11 on Dec 8, 2019 21:56:25 GMT -5
Some people really hate this song, some people really love it, but I bet EVERYBODY can agree that they are surprised to see this song do as well as it did here! "Courtesy Of The Red, White, And Blue", was Toby's response to the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001 in New York City. It was a huge #1 hit, and has gone on to be a bit of a signature hit for him. In the process, it quickly became one of the clearest line-in-the-sand songs that any artist has ever released. People seem to either love it and feel totally fine with its message, or they draw a line in the sand and say this song is WAY over-the-top and they hate it.
Honestly, while there was a lot of sadness after 9/11, there was also a LOT of anger, and I think Toby did an amazing job of capturing the emotions of the American public here. People might say that it is unhealthy to focus on the anger, but in my opinion, talking about it can be a big step towards reaching a sort of catharsis. We tend to rely on musicians to put words to our emotions, and the way that Toby did that here helped a lot of people feel like their voices were being heard.
Besides, melodically this slays, and only Toby could pull off this vocal and have it sound so compelling. I feel like this song got a fair rank here, and was not just tanked because it's such a 'Murica song and people really have a problem with that around here. Because like it or not, this song is quintessential Toby.
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Post by castleoblivion26 on Dec 8, 2019 22:02:59 GMT -5
I used to like "Courtesy..." a lot but the last few times I've listened to it I haven't enjoyed it at all. Not sure if that is because of overplay or something, hopefully I'll enjoy this song again someday because it used to be a favorite
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taylor
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Post by taylor on Dec 8, 2019 22:12:03 GMT -5
I was born in one of those weird transitional times between the 9/11 generations, as in: I was just under a month away from turning 1 year old when the twin towers were ruthlessly attacked. I never knew this happened or that something like it could until I was 9 and in fourth grade. In class, we had a lesson about it (the day happened to obviously be the 10th anniversary.) The teacher turned the TV on and pulled up a video of NBC News covering the event and then I remember as a class, we ALL fell quiet as we watched that second tower get hit. That was the first time I'd personally ever seen this, and I do remember being sucked into the moment, and before I knew it, I was bawling. I went home and cried myself to sleep and the next day I was so damn angry. I had gone from "how could something like this happen?" to "Well f**k you too then!"
So I would've ranked this song high because while songs like "It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing" (I do think that's Shania's response) and "Where Were You..." encapsulate the sadness of such a time, songs like "Courtesy" perfectly describe the utter rage people were feeling and I think it's a powerful thing. It's definitely one of my more favorite tracks from Toby.
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Post by bboat11 on Dec 8, 2019 22:19:14 GMT -5
How was I supposed to know She was slowly letting go? If I was putting her through hell, Hell, I couldn't tell. She could've given me a sign And opened up my eyes. How was I supposed to see? She never cried in front of me.
22. "She Never Cried In Front Of Me"
Album: That Don't Make Me A Bad Guy Year: 2008
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toomuchboy
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Post by toomuchboy on Dec 8, 2019 22:24:33 GMT -5
This came out past the point I had stopped liking most of his new material. I was surprised he'd put something out this good at the time.
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bboat11
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Post by bboat11 on Dec 8, 2019 22:24:35 GMT -5
"She Never Cried In Front Of Me" is one of my all-time favorites from Toby. I know that may seem a little random, but tbh this song just came at such a perfect moment in his career for me to love it. After it seemed like his career was in danger of going downhill with the relatively lackluster performance of the Big Dog Daddy album, followed by some time off for the 35 Biggest Hits era, this song felt like a bit of a comeback hit, and it sounded SO fresh and amazing!!!!!! To this day I still love the lyrics of this song, and the way that it sounds overall. The ballad-with-screaming-electric-guitars style might not work for everyone, but it REALLY hooked me ![:love:](http://i.imgur.com/2smy76v.gif) I know that the upper reaches of Toby's singles are SO strong that the remaining places in this rankdown are hella competitive, but I was hoping this would make the top 20. Believe it or not, this was a top 5 contender for awhile near the beginning!
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LBTrocks
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Post by LBTrocks on Dec 8, 2019 22:30:46 GMT -5
I like "Love Me If You Can" fine but it's honestly pretty boring, and not one I revisit much at all. It's not bad tho.
"Rock You Baby" is great. I couldn't justify ranking it any higher than I did but it has a really compelling melody.
I love "Courtesy" but I do love a lot of his songs way more, admittedly. I also don't hate the lyrics like a lot of you probably do... it was a timely and, honestly, realistic reaction to the attacks against our country IMO..
Also I am SO THRILLED so see "She Never Cried In Front of Me" get so much support here! It's GORGEOUS. Hauntingly beautiful. Toby slayed the vocal on this, my goodness. This is easily one of my very favorite Toby tunes and was always destined for a top 10 spot on my list.
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bboat11
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Post by bboat11 on Dec 8, 2019 22:35:22 GMT -5
And I will always do my duty No matter what the price. I've counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice. Oh, and I don't want to die for you, But if dyin's asked of me, I'll bear that cross with honor 'Cause freedom don't come free.
21. "American Soldier"
Album: Shock'n Y'all Year: 2003
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bboat11
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Post by bboat11 on Dec 8, 2019 22:43:24 GMT -5
Another of Toby's signature hits from the early '00s bows out next with "American Soldier" falling just shy of the top 20. This song was my #3, so I am definitely sad to see it miss the top 20...
Honestly, this is a song that I came to dislike by the end of its chart run, because I heard it EVERYWHERE and could not escape it. But after actively avoiding it for years, I finally listened to it again in college and I realized what an incredible song this is!
My favorite thing about this song is the brilliant way that the lyrics unfold. If you're listening to it on the radio for the first time, and have no idea what the title is, you would assume it is a song about an everyday working man at first. Then you're like, "Damn, this guy's job sounds tough and important" Then all of a sudden you're shocked to hear that he's talking about dying. Then he launches into the "I'm an American soldier" reveal in a chorus that is replete with a powerful and emotional vocal performance from Toby. The gradual increase in intensity, paired with the buildup of the arrangement, is masterful and powerful. It still works on me to this day.
Granted, the overplay might have completely killed this for some people, so I am not surprised to see some low rankings. But I definitely think this belonged in the top 20 :(
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Post by bboat11 on Dec 8, 2019 22:48:03 GMT -5
Recap!!!!!!! 65. Mockingbird (880) 64. Shut Up And Hold On (872) 63. Drunk Americans (833) 62. She's A Hottie (828) 61. A Few More Cowboys (796)
60. Hey Good Lookin' (784) 59. Get My Drink On (777) 58. Beautiful Stranger (748) 57. Crash Here Tonight (735) 56. Don't Let The Old Man In (734) 55. I Like Girls That Drink Beer (729) 54. I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying (713) 53. Red Solo Cup (693) 52. Drinks After Work (691) 51. Big Ol' Truck (691)
50. 35 MPH Town (685) 49. Every Dog Has Its Day (678) 48. Trailerhood (660) 47. Get Drunk And Be Somebody (655) 46. Big Blue Note (648) 45. Lost You Anyway (641) 44. If A Man Answers (633) 43. High Maintenance Woman (619) 42. Beers Ago (618) 41. American Ride (613)
40. A Woman's Touch (606) 39. Cryin' For Me (Wayman's Song) (601) 38. Made In America (593) 37. Double Wide Paradise (589) 36. Somewhere Else (585) 35. Honkytonk U (574) 34. Hope On The Rocks (573) 33. Bullets In The Gun (543) 32. Who's Your Daddy? (532) 31. Stays In Mexico (531)
30. Upstairs Downtown (526) 29. When Love Fades (519) 28. Country Comes To Town (507) 27. A Little Too Late (481) 26. Getcha Some (476) 25. Love Me If You Can (476) 24. Rock You Baby (464) 23. Courtesy Of The Red, White, And Blue (The Angry American) (453) 22. She Never Cried In Front Of Me (451) 21. American Soldier (446)
Songs in the top 20: A Little Less Talk And A Lot More Action As Good As I Once Was Beer For My Horses Does That Blue Moon Ever Shine On You Dream Walkin’ God Love Her He Ain't Worth Missing How Do You Like Me Now?! I Love This Bar I Wanna Talk About Me I’m Just Talkin’ About Tonight Me Too My List Should’ve Been A Cowboy We Were In Love Whiskey Girl Who’s That Man Wish I Didn’t Know Now You Ain’t Much Fun You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This
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gonecountry
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Post by gonecountry on Dec 8, 2019 22:56:37 GMT -5
Pleasantly surprised by the Top 20, really surprised by a few songs that I didn't think would be so well received.
Dream Walkin’ We Were In Love You Ain’t Much Fun
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.indulgecountry
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Post by .indulgecountry on Dec 8, 2019 23:20:48 GMT -5
Thrilled to see "Courtesy" and "Soldier" miss the top 20! That makes up a little for the undeserved shafting that "Love Me If You Can" got.
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kw9461
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Post by kw9461 on Dec 9, 2019 0:01:23 GMT -5
Pleasantly surprised by the Top 20, really surprised by a few songs that I didn't think would be so well received. Dream Walkin’ We Were In Love You Ain’t Much Fun All of Toby's 90's output seems to be doing well, which makes me happy. I'm fully expecting a 90's exodus in the 11-20 reveals though. Bummed that "Rock You Baby" is out already. Criminally underrated song. I usually prefer Toby's soft ballads, but that song slays and I've always loved it. The melody works so well and Toby's the perfect vocalist for the song. For years it was in my top 2-3 Toby singles, so I probably under-ranked it at #6.
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Post by tim on Dec 9, 2019 9:06:40 GMT -5
I forget how much I really enjoyed “Love Me If You Can” as it just isn’t one of Toby’s songs that I seek out to play from him. I’m pleasantly surprised to see this make it into the top 25 as it was a sizable hit for him at the time and received a lot of airplay that year.
“Rock You Baby” is another tune that I just don’t ever come back around to but nonetheless is a solid ballad of which we sometimes forget Toby is very capable of delivering on.
I had a hunch that “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” was on borrowed time and not the least bit surprised to see it come out of the pack as the most polarizing song. This song was released the same month that I went to complete my basic combat training for the Army and therefore there’s a bit of nostalgia wrapped up in this one for me. I just as easily could’ve placed this in my top 10 but I think overplay has taken a bit of toll on me with this and nowadays I have to be in the right mood for it. I still was hoping this would make the top 20, though.
And speaking of the military I do feel like I did an injustice to “American Soldier” by not placing it in my top 10, but again this is another song that due to overplay impacted my ranking just a bit. That said, I truly consider this to be one of Toby’s iconic hits and really appreciate its message.
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LBTrocks
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Post by LBTrocks on Dec 9, 2019 15:06:28 GMT -5
“American Soldier” has a pretty good melody and I do like the lyrics too. It was never a favorite tho, and overplay didn’t help matters, but I like the song fine.
Overall, I am very pleased with this top 20.
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bboat11
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Post by bboat11 on Dec 10, 2019 20:53:45 GMT -5
I would start Faith's Christmas reveals, but y'all haven't gotten us to a new page yet... ![:sip:](//storage.proboards.com/1258812/images/WfP77sf444N0bFhVzFU1.gif) So let's do more Toby reveals instead ![:smokingdiva:](http://i.imgur.com/t6wcd.jpg)
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taylor
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Post by taylor on Dec 10, 2019 20:54:17 GMT -5
I would start Faith's Christmas reveals, but y'all haven't gotten us to a new page yet... ![:sip:](//storage.proboards.com/1258812/images/eGzQItFFprP4Sevk2PBe.gif) So let's do more Toby reveals instead ![:smokingdiva:](http://i.imgur.com/t6wcd.jpg) Want me to spam it for ya?
Faith is now ready when you are, no rush :)
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bboat11
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Post by bboat11 on Dec 10, 2019 20:58:22 GMT -5
Oh, I'm just a man, that's the way I was made. I'm not too good at saying what you need me to say. It's always right there on the tip of my tongue. It might go unsaid, but it won't go undone. So when those three little words come so easy to you, I hope you know what I mean when I say, "Me too".
20. "Me Too"
Album: Blue Moon Year: 1996
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bboat11
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Post by bboat11 on Dec 10, 2019 21:02:44 GMT -5
"Me Too" is such an incredible ballad. One of my favorites from Toby's early years ![:love:](http://i.imgur.com/2smy76v.gif) The melody to this song, and the way it is sung, feels so romantic considering that it is a song about somebody who is not very romantic. Toby is just such an excellent interpreter of ballads like this; this is one of my favorite styles for him to sing. I am THRILLED this was able to make the top 20, because I kinda thought it would get more people floppily finding it to be boring.
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Post by bboat11 on Dec 10, 2019 21:09:41 GMT -5
I like my truck, An' I like my girlfriend. I like to take her out to dinner, I like a movie now and then, But I love this bar.
19. "I Love This Bar"
Album: Shock'n Y'all Year: 2003
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bboat11
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Post by bboat11 on Dec 10, 2019 21:17:10 GMT -5
Y'all did this song DIRTY!!!!! "I Love This Bar" is one of Toby's biggest signature hits. I expected it to at least be a contender for the top 10, but honestly that was never even a realistic hope for this one... The fans of this one can be lucky this managed to finish in the top 20 at all... :'( .indulgecountry loses his #1 here, while ClevelandRox loses a top 5. castleoblivion26 and LBTrocks of course tag-teamed to help tank this. I'm sure it was a conspiracy!!
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bboat11
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Post by bboat11 on Dec 10, 2019 21:22:20 GMT -5
Well she was fighting them off At a corner table. She had a long neck bottle. She was peeling the label. The look on her face, It was perfectly clear. She said, 'Somebody please Get me out of here.' The look she shot me Through the glass refraction Said, 'A little less talk And a lot more action.'
18. "A Little Less Talk And A Lot More Action"
Album: Toby Keith Year: 1993
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bboat11
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Post by bboat11 on Dec 10, 2019 21:26:20 GMT -5
With #18, we say visit Toby's debut era for the first time in this rankdown. "A Little Less Talk And A Lot More Action" is another one of Toby's more iconic hits from his early years. This song, in addition to "Should've Been A Cowboy" launched Toby into superstardom from the very beginning.
Honestly, I am alright seeing this song leave here. This is one that has been so overplayed for most of my life that I am totally fine seeing it not make a whole lot of waves in the top 20. Toby has way better songs to me, even though I do love this one.
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Post by tim on Dec 10, 2019 21:28:45 GMT -5
I liked “I Love This Bar” a lot more back then and for whatever reason I don’t find it to be quite as fun now. I just don’t ever really have any desire to wanna put this on nowadays.
“A Little Less Talk And A Lot More Action” is a song that I still hear quite frequently on the radio (locally at least) and it never fails to get old. Still love this jam!
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.indulgecountry
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Post by .indulgecountry on Dec 10, 2019 21:34:48 GMT -5
</3 @ "I Love This Bar" being out already. I'm glad it at least made the top 20, but I expected it to land closer to the top 10. :'[
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