About the Song
In 2003, Toby Keith, a rising star in country music known for his bravado and patriotism, released a song that would become a lightning rod for controversy and a chart-topping anthem: “Beer for My Horses” featuring the legendary Willie Nelson.
The song is a potent mix of patriotism, revenge, and good ol’ fashioned Southern hospitality. It opens with a news report of a bombing, sparking the narrator’s outrage at the state of the world. Hearkening back to a time of swifter justice, the lyrics advocate for a harsh response to criminals – a sentiment that divided listeners.
However, the song’s true power lies in its infectious energy and undeniable swagger. Keith’s brash vocals are perfectly complemented by Nelson’s smooth, world-weary delivery, creating a dynamic duo. The song’s chorus, with its call to raise a glass “against evil forces,” became a rallying cry for many, particularly in the wake of 9/11.
“Beer for My Horses” wasn’t without its critics. Some found the lyrics promoting violence to be distasteful, while others questioned the song’s simplistic approach to complex issues. Despite the controversy, the song became a massive commercial success. It spent six weeks at number one on the Billboard country charts, making Nelson the oldest artist ever to top the chart at the time.
The song’s legacy remains complex. It’s a powerful anthem that captures a specific moment in American history, but its celebration of violence continues to spark debate. Nonetheless, “Beer for My Horses” remains a significant entry in Toby Keith’s catalog and a testament to the enduring popularity of Willie Nelson. It’s a song that will get your feet tapping, even if it makes you think twice about the lyrics.
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Lyrics: Beer for My Horses
[Toby Keith:]
Willie man, come on, six o’clock news
Said somebody’s been shot, somebody’s been abused
Somebody blew up a building
Somebody stole a car
Somebody got away
Somebody didn’t get too far, yeah
They didn’t get too far[Willie Nelson:]
Grandpappy told my pappy back in my day, “Son,
A man had to answer for the wicked that he done.”
Take all the rope in Texas
Find a tall oak tree,
Round up all of them bad boys
Hang them high in the street
For all the people to see[Toby Keith and Willie Nelson:]
That justice is the one thing you should always find
You gotta saddle up your boys
You gotta draw a hard line
When the gun smoke settles we’ll sing a victory tune
And we’ll all meet back at the local saloon
We’ll raise up our glasses against evil forces
Singing, “Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses.”[Toby Keith and Willie Nelson:]
We got too many gangsters doing dirty deeds
Too much corruption and crime in the streets
It’s time the long arm of the law put a few more in the ground
Send ’em all to their maker and he’ll settle ’em down
You can bet he’ll settle ’em down‘Cause justice is the one thing you should always find
You gotta saddle up your boys
You gotta draw a hard line
When the gun smoke settles we’ll sing a victory tune
And we’ll all meet back at the local saloon
And we’ll raise up our glasses against evil forces
Singing, “Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses.”
“Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses.”Justice is the one thing you should always find
You gotta saddle up your boys
You gotta draw a hard line
When the gun smoke settles we’ll sing a victory tune
And we’ll all meet back at the local saloon
And we’ll raise up our glasses against evil forces
Singing, “Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses.”
Singing, “Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses.”