Adam Weinstein
English 101-099
1 Novemeber 2007
Red, White, and Blue
The day we watched the twin towers fall to the ground, it seemed as if the world had turned upside down. Families were going crazy because they had lost loved ones or family members were missing. Desperate workers were jumping out of the buildings because there was no way to escape. New York firefighters and police officers were risking up there to save others. This day was a tragic event for the whole country encouraging all of the citizens of the United States to come together as a nation to help everyone get through this moment in history. We showed our patriotism by flying the American flag high and proud in our yards and automobiles. People supported their country by wearing clothes and hats that were red, white, and blue. There were also many charity organizations created to raise money. Firefighters and police officers were recognized in high regards more than usual because of their heroic deeds. In Toby Keith’s song, Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue there is a message of patriotism and glorifying of the country. Toby Keith’s song riles people up to support their country whether it is to enlist in the army or to fly the American flag. The lyrics are so powerful and meaningful that it puts the patriotic spirit back into the citizens who take their country for granted.
The persona of Courtesy of Red, White, and Blue, is one person who is proud of the country that he lives in. He loves his nation and will stick up for it any day. He is arguing that his country will fight back hard to whoever messes with America. Knowing the persona helps the audience receive the message of the song. The song’s message is that the United States will always be strong and will continue to fight to keep the “land of the free,” free. People are going to keep on dying for their country just as our forefathers have in the past. Americans fly their flags high because they are proud of where they live. The audience of this song is people who feel the same way about their country. It is so important to show continuous patriotism towards the country, to prove to the world how great of a country that we live in where we have the freedom of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If our fathers would have not fought for the country and won us our freedom, we would not have famous symbols and monuments such as Uncle Sam, the eagle, the Liberty Bell, and the Statue of Liberty. When everybody comes together, we are so strong.
Toby Keith constructed his song with mostly pathos or emotions involving the audience. There is a lot of emotional appeal, especially in the first part of the song:
American girls and American guys
Well always stand up and salute
Well always recognize when we see old glory flying
There is a lot of men dead
So we can sleep in peace at night
When we lay down our head.
He connects to the audience by saying how many people have died for each person in this country so they can be free and sleep safely at night without worrying about anything. People can really relate to these lyrics because they know what the people in the past and in the present have gone through so they can live in a safe country. Another example of emotional appeal is shown with lyrics such as:
And youll be sorry that you messed with
The u.s. of a.
Cause well put a boot in your ass
It’s the American way.
Americans are not going to just sit back and watch their country get attacked. They will come together and fight for their country and have been doing this for over hundreds of years. The ethos is very personal to the persona and to Toby Keith.
My daddy served in the army
Where he lost his right eye
But he flew a flag out in our yard
Until the day that he died
We wanted my mother, my brother, my sister and me
To grow up and live happy in the land of the free.
Toby Keith’s father was a veteran injured in the war. He died just before the 9/11 attack. Toby dedicated this song to his father for all of his patriotism and love to this country. His father still loved the U.S.A even though he was severely injured in the war. That did not stop him showing his patriotism. Towards the end of the song, an example of logos is used with the line:
This big dog will fight when you rattle his cage.
This is a cause and effect line. It simply means that when someone messes with our country we will fight back until things are settled.
Toby Keith’s song, Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue was constructed very well because it was a very effective song. There was enough pathos where the people can really get the emotional part of the song. The pathos get the people riled up to help the country in any way they can whether it is enlisting in the army, donating money, or helping their neighbor. The ethos was also very affective by making many people realize that men are going to die and/or be injured during war and they are willing to do so. These dedicated men will do anything to keep our country safe and free. Many American families can relate to this part of the song because they have family members and friends overseas fighting for our country and many have died or have been hurt.
Now that it has been over six years since the Terrorist Attacks, people still are showing their patriotism for the country. Men and women are still risking their lives fighting overseas to protect our country. They still need the American’s support in any way. Toby Keith’s song Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue still to this day puts the patriotic spirit in us because we live in a country where “we will put a boot in your ass it’s, the American way.”
Works Cited
"Courtesy of the Red, White, Blue." Lyrics Freak. 18 Oct.-Nov. 2007 <http://www.lyricsfreak.com/t/toby+keith/courtesy+of+the+red+white+blue_20138071.html>.
"Toby Keith Biography." CMT. 31 Oct.-Nov. 2007 <http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/keith_toby/bio.jhtml>.
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