Toby Keith Draws Cheers With 'Angry' Song

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Toby Keith Fans Website) - Toby Keith performed his song that warns terrorists , "You'll be sorry you messed with the U.S. of A.," which has drawn criticism for its angry lyrics.

About 500 concertgoers aboard the battleship USS New Jersey, now berthed on the Camden waterfront as a museum and tourist attraction, cheered wildly Tuesday as Keith played his guitar and sang the tune, titled "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)."

The song includes this warning to the Sept. 11 attackers: "We'll put a boot in your ass." ABC deemed it too angry to lead off a July 4 primetime family television special.

Keith, Country Music Awards male vocalist of the year, said he discounts the recent criticism. He said he wrote the song for his late father, an Army veteran.

Bill Coe, a fan from Cinnaminson, wasn't troubled by the lyrics.
"Toby Keith is down to earth like real people," Coe, 42, told The Philadelphia Inquirer for Wednesday's editions. "Even my mom and dad listen to that song."

Tuesday's concert was to promote Keith's new album, "Unleashed."