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

Christmas Songs

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")Song Writing

Nick made some of the biggest videos on MTV, including "The Final Countdown," "Heaven" and "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)."

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Movie Stars In Music Videos

Movie Stars In Music VideosSong Writing

Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Mila Kunis and John Malkovich are just a few of the film stars who have moonlighted in music videos.