Toby Keith's Patriotic Anthem Becomes A Bestseller In America Again

Forbes

8 hours ago

Toby Keith's 'Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue' reenters the Country Digital Song Sales chart, ... More while 35 Biggest Hits returns to the top 10 on Top Country Albums list. NORMAN, OK - JULY 06: Musician Toby Keith performs during the Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert to benefit United Way of Central Oklahoma May Tornadoes Relief Fund at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on July 6, 2013 in Norman, Oklahoma. To donate go to www.unitedwayokc.org or text REBUILD to 52000. (Photo byfor Shock Ink)
Throughout his decades-long career, Toby Keith produced some of country music's most beloved singles, but there's one that continues to stand out. Decades after its initial release, "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" remains a fan favorite. The controversial, patriotic track divided listeners at the time it dropped, and still sparks debate today, but among Keith's core fanbase, it's a staple — especially when America celebrates its birthday each year.
"Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" Returns
"Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" returns to the Country Digital Song Sales chart this week. The track reenters the list at No. 14, in second to last on the 15-spot roster.
Originally released in 2002, the tune debuted on Billboard's ranking of the top-selling country tracks in 2010 and peaked at No. 4 in February of last year.
Toby Keith's Anthem Extends Its Chart Run
As the anthem returns, "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" breaks out of a tie with "Bullets in the Gun" and becomes Keith's third-longest-charting title on the Country Digital Song Sales ranking. The smash single has now racked up 22 stays on the tally — and it will likely add to that sum again, perhaps in a few days, and also in the coming years.
A July 4th Sales Surge Boosts Toby Keith's Hit
"Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" saw a surge in pure purchases as fans across the U.S. prepared for July 4th. The biggest bump likely occurred on Friday, the actual holiday, which also happened to be the start of a new tracking week. That means any purchases made on July 4th itself will be reflected in next week's Billboard charts.
There's a real chance the patriotic favorite could climb higher on the Country Digital Song Sales tally when Billboard refreshes the rankings. It might even return to several other lists, such as the all-genre Digital Song Sales ranking, the Country Streaming Songs list, and the Hot Country Songs chart as well.
Toby Keith's 35 Biggest Hits Returns to the Top 10
As "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" returns to one Billboard tally, renewed attention to the track — and likely the rest of Keith's catalog as a result — is helping one of his most popular compilations surge.
35 Biggest Hits rises back into the top 10 on the Top Country Albums chart, landing at No. 8. The compilation also lifts more than 15 spaces on the Billboard 200, where it climbs to No. 43. Simultaneously, the set reappears on the Top Streaming Albums list at No. 41.