Every No. 1 Single of the 2000s: Toby Keith, “American Soldier”

“American Soldier”

Toby Keith

Written by Chuck Cannon and Toby Keith

Radio & Records

#1 (4 weeks)

February 20 – March 12, 2004

Billboard

#1 (4 weeks)

February 21 – March 13, 2004

Toby Keith’s heart is in the right place here, but “American Soldier” is so antiseptic and void of character development that it plays like the background of a nineteen eighties era commercial for Folgers coffee.

Part of the problem is that this era produced far more compelling explorations of the soldier experience, from everyone on the political spectrum from the Chicks (“Travelin’ Soldier”) and Jason Isbell (“Dress Blues”) to Darryl Worley (“I Just Came Home From a War”) and Trace Adkins (“Arlington.”)

Keith is so focused on building up the archetype that he drains his celebrated soldier of any fear, hesitation, or even homesickness. This soldier is so perfect, so selfless, so committed to the cause that there’s no conflict. Not even a tugged heartstring for what he’s leaving behind.

Ironically, it makes the soldier’s sacrifice seem less impressive because it’s like his entire existence was designed to play this role and he’s fulfilling it without hesitation.

Beautifully sung and arranged, as always, and as I opened with, his heart is in the right place here.

“American Soldier” gets a B.

Every No. 1 Single of the 2000s

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