Country star Toby Keith loves writing songs about America and getting drunk, so it was only a matter of time before he wrote a song about being a drunk American, which is what he has done with his new single "Drunk Americans." Over a backing track that sounds like a country pop/Irish folk hybrid, Keith sings about putting aside cultural and political differences in the interest of getting wasted.
Though the whole "getting drunk" theme is about as clichéd as you can get with a modern country song, its theme of camaraderie is undoubtedly well-intentioned, especially considering the deeply divided nature of our country in recent years. When Keith sings in the chorus, "We just rise up our glass/We don't give a rat's ass/If you're a Democrat or Republican," he seems like the sort of guy who actually means this.
As for the music itself, the Irish folk influences are its saving grace and keep it from sliding completely into nauseating mainstream country. Whereas an act like Florida Georgia Line would rip any beauty or nuance whatsoever from a song like this, Keith wisely keeps it grounded.
One quick lyrical criticism, however: The line about not being "Cowboys or Redskins" seems pretty misguided, as if to suggest that the name "Redskins" is in any way an acceptable name for a football team, or that the name "Cowboys" is at all comparable to "Redskins." That is not really an issue that should be compromised over a drink.
You can check out Keith's "Drunk Americans" here:
What did you think of Keith's "Drunk Americans"? Let us know down in the comments section.
