Signed to DreamWorks Records Nashville in 1998, Keith released his breakthrough single "How Do You Like Me Now?!" in late 1999. This song, the title track to his 1999 album of the same name, was the #1 country song of 2000, and one of several chart-toppers during his tenure on DreamWorks Nashville. His next three albums, Pull My Chain, Unleashed, and Shock'n Y'all, produced three more #1's each, and all of the albums were certified 4× Platinum. A second Greatest Hits package followed in 2004, and after that, he released Honkytonk University.
When DreamWorks closed in 2005, Keith founded the label Show Dog Nashville, which merged with Universal South Records to become Show Dog-Universal Music in December 2009. He has released ten studio albums through Show Dog/Show Dog-Universal: 2006's White Trash with Money, 2007's Big Dog Daddy, 2008's That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy, 2009's American Ride, 2010's Bullets in the Gun, 2011's Clancy's Tavern, 2012's Hope on the Rocks, 2013's Drinks After Work, 2015's 35 MPH Town, 2017's The Bus Songs, and 2021's Peso in My Pocket, as well as the compilation 35 Biggest Hits in 2008. Keith also made his acting debut in 2006, starring in the film Broken Bridges, and co-starred with comedian Rodney Carrington in the 2008 film Beer for My Horses, inspired by his song of the same name. On February 5th, 2024, Toby passed away from a 3 year battle with Stomach Cancer.
American Soldier
Toby Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Raise a daughter and a son
Be a lover to their mother
Everything to everyone
Up and at 'em bright and early
I'm all business in my suit
Yeah, I'm dressed up for success
From my head down to my boots
I don't do it for the money
There's bills that I can't pay
I don't do it for the glory
I just do it anyway
Providing for our future's my responsibility
Yeah, I'm real good under pressure
Being all that I can be
And I can't call in sick on Mondays
When the weekends been too strong
I just work straight through the holidays
And sometimes all night long
You can bet that I stand ready
When the wolf growls at the door
Hey, I'm solid, hey I'm steady
Hey I'm true down to the core
And I will always do my duty
No matter what the price
I've counted up the cost
I know the sacrifice
Oh, and I don't want to die for you
But if dyin's asked of me
I'll bear that cross with honor
'Cause freedom don't come free
I'm an American soldier, an American
Beside my brothers and my sisters
I will proudly take a stand
When liberty's in jeopardy
I will always do what's right
I'm out here on the front lines
Sleep in peace tonight
American soldier, I'm an American soldier
yeah, an American soldier, an American
Beside my brothers and my sisters
I will proudly take a stand
When liberty's in jeopardy
I will always do what's right
I'm out here on the front lines
So sleep in peace tonight
American soldier, I'm an American
an American
an American soldier
In Toby Keith's song "American Soldier," the singer talks about his commitment to serving as a soldier in the U.S. military. As a father, he strives to provide for his family and be a good husband to his wife. He acknowledges the sacrifices that come with his duty to protect liberty and freedom, including the possibility of dying for his country. He is steadfast and determined in his resolve to defend his nation and is proud to stand beside his brothers and sisters in arms.
The lyrics to this song paint a picture of a hardworking, dedicated soldier who is willing to do whatever it takes to keep his country safe. The singer describes the long hours, hard work, and pressure of his job, but also the honor and pride that come with it. He recognizes that freedom is not free, and that the sacrifices made by soldiers throughout history have created the opportunities and freedoms that Americans enjoy today.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm just trying to be a father
I am dedicated to being a good father to my kids.
Raise a daughter and a son
I am committed to raising a daughter and a son.
Be a lover to their mother
I show love and affection to my partner and their mother.
Everything to everyone
I have a lot of responsibilities and try to fulfill them all.
Up and at 'em bright and early
I start my day early to get things done.
I'm all business in my suit
I take my work and responsibilities seriously.
Yeah, I'm dressed up for success
I dress appropriately for work to show respect for my job and colleagues.
From my head down to my boots
I am dressed professionally and completely for work.
I don't do it for the money
My motivation is not just financial gain.
There's bills that I can't pay
Despite my responsibilities, I still struggle to make ends meet.
I don't do it for the glory
I am not motivated by fame or recognition for my actions.
I just do it anyway
I do what is necessary regardless of recognition.
Providing for our future's my responsibility
It is my duty to provide for my family and secure their future.
Yeah, I'm real good under pressure
I am able to handle stress and pressure well.
Being all that I can be
I am striving to be the best version of myself.
And I can't call in sick on Mondays
I can't take a break from my responsibilities when I am tired or stressed.
When the weekends been too strong
Even when I want to relax on weekends, I keep working.
I just work straight through the holidays
I do not take holidays off and work tirelessly throughout the year.
And sometimes all night long
I will work long hours into the night to complete my responsibilities.
You can bet that I stand ready
I am prepared to handle whatever challenges come my way.
When the wolf growls at the door
When danger or difficulty arises, I will face it head-on.
Hey, I'm solid, hey I'm steady
I am dependable and reliable.
Hey I'm true down to the core
I have a deep commitment to my values and beliefs.
And I will always do my duty
I am committed to fulfilling my responsibilities.
No matter what the price
Regardless of the difficulty or cost, I will do what is necessary.
I've counted up the cost
I have considered and weighed the risks and consequences of my actions.
I know the sacrifice
I understand the sacrifices that may be necessary to fulfill my duties.
Oh, and I don't want to die for you
I do not seek death or danger, but I am willing to face it if needed.
But if dyin's asked of me
If my duty requires me to put my life at risk, I will do so.
I'll bear that cross with honor
I will accept the burdens and challenges of my duty with dignity and pride.
'Cause freedom don't come free
I understand and appreciate the value of freedom and the sacrifices required to protect it.
I'm an American soldier, an American
I am a soldier and proud American.
Beside my brothers and my sisters
I stand in solidarity with my fellow soldiers.
I will proudly take a stand
I am not afraid to fight for what I believe in.
When liberty's in jeopardy
When our freedom and liberty are threatened, I will act to protect them.
I will always do what's right
I am committed to acting with honor and integrity.
I'm out here on the front lines
I am stationed and fighting on the front lines of conflict.
So sleep in peace tonight
Because of my actions, you can rest easy and safely tonight.
American soldier, I'm an American soldier
I am a soldier fighting for America.
yeah, an American soldier, an American
Yes, I am truly an American soldier.
an American soldier
I am a proud American soldier.
Lyrics © Tokeco Tunes, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Chuck Cannon, Toby Keith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kwanfan24
💔💔💔 America has lost a great man. Toby Keith has gone to be with Jesus after a brave battle with cancer
@dena8258
I’ll miss Toby!RIP 🙏🙏❤️❤️
@lauraluffman6177
Yes they have a wonderful man condolences to his family he'll truly be missed🙏🙏🙏😇😇
@supernaturallightning2958
❤❤❤ R I P Toby!
@Wyatt0122
He's a true American legend who brought great music in this country
@lauraluffman6177
Amen to that he's with our lord and savior 🙏🙏
@rubentucker210
I'm a Christian Patriotic Hispanic and I love! America 🇺🇲 and Toby Keith, God Bless you and your songs 🙏🇺🇲🎵🎸
@shainebingham9310
From a Veteran. Thank you for supporting The American Soldier. Hard not to have tears hearing this song, knowing you’re not with us anymore. Your music and legacy will live on. RIP GODSPEED.
@catira169
I love you 😢
@Wyatt0122
Amen 🙏 He did his best fighting cancer. God Bless Toby Keith and the greatest American Soldiers who fought for our country