That's Country Bro

Album: Toby Keith Greatest Hits: The Show Dog Years (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Toby Keith pays tribute to a litany of classic country stars, name-checking each one. The list of names on the guitar-driven track is reminiscent of Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start The Fire."

    Jimmie Rodgers, Patsy Cline
    We lost Hank at 29
    Roy Acuff, Johnny Horton and dancin' Bill Monroe
    Woodie Guthrie, Bob Wills
    Spade Cooley, Kitty Wells
    Jimmy Dean and Big John and ole' Hank Snow


    Keith rattles off the names of various legendary singers and other influential characters in a celebration of country music's pioneers and its cultural reach. According to a press release, Keith sings the names of 57 different key influences in the two-and-a-half-minute song.
  • The song title is likely a dig at the bro-country genre, which is influenced by modern hip-hop and rock music. Lyrically bro-country songs are often about attractive, short-skirted young women, hard partying and pickup trucks. Its popularity has opened up a divide between the older generation of classic country performers and the younger bro-country singers.
  • Keith wrote this celebration of country's cultural icons with his longtime collaborator Bobby Pinson.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Randy Houser

Randy HouserSongwriter Interviews

The "How Country Feels" singer talks Skynyrd and songwriting.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Krishna Das

Krishna DasSongwriter Interviews

The top chant artist in the Western world, Krishna Das talks about how these Hindu mantras compare to Christian worship songs.

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?Song Writing

A big list of musical marriages and family relations ranging from the simple to the truly dysfunctional.