Toby Keith – A Country Boy Can Survive

Introduction:

Ah yes, Toby Keith’s “A Country Boy Can Survive”. Released in 2007, this track isn’t exactly original to Keith. It’s a cover of a true country classic, written and originally performed by the legendary Hank Williams Jr. back in 1982. But Toby Keith, a titan of American country music in his own right, puts his own signature spin on the song, breathing new life into this anthem of rural resilience.

Now, Toby Keith is a man who needs no introduction. From the scorching Oklahoma sun to the top of the Billboard charts, his career is a testament to the enduring power of country music. His music is a blend of Southern rock and traditional country twang, with lyrics that celebrate small-town America, blue-collar work ethic, and an unwavering sense of patriotism. “A Country Boy Can Survive” fits perfectly into this thematic wheelhouse.

Produced by Keith Stegall, a name synonymous with country royalty (having worked with the likes of Alan Jackson and George Strait), the song boasts a classic country music arrangement. Think chugging guitars, a steady backbeat, and of course, Toby Keith’s unmistakable baritone vocals, delivering the lyrics with a gruff charm that perfectly embodies the spirit of the song’s protagonist – the quintessential country boy.

While the original by Hank Williams Jr. leans a little heavier on the rebellious spirit, Toby Keith’s version injects a touch of humor alongside the self-reliance. It’s a subtle shift, but it reflects the changing times. The anxieties of the song remain – economic hardship, social upheaval, and a sense of unease about the future. But Keith’s portrayal of the country boy suggests a quiet confidence, a belief that no matter what curveballs life throws, he’ll find a way to make it through.

“A Country Boy Can Survive” wasn’t a chart-topping smash hit for Toby Keith, but it did resonate deeply with his core audience. It became a staple of his live shows, a song that ignited a sense of community and shared experience. It’s a testament to the enduring power of country music – its ability to speak to the struggles and triumphs of everyday people, particularly those who live off the land and build their lives on the values of self-reliance and perseverance. So, when you hit play on “A Country Boy Can Survive,” you’re not just listening to a song, you’re tapping into a rich vein of American identity and the enduring spirit of the heartland.

Video:

Lyrics:

“A Country Boy Can Survive”

I live back in the woods, you see
My woman and the kids, and the dogs, and me
I got a shotgun, a rifle, and a 4-wheel drive
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive

I can plow a field all day long
I can catch catfish from dusk ’til dawn
We make our own whiskey and our own smoke, too
Ain’t too many things these old boys can’t do
We grow good old tomatoes and homemade wine
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive

Because you can’t starve us out
And you can’t make us run
‘Cause we’re them old boys raised on shotgun
And we say “grace” and we say “Ma’am”
And if you ain’t into that we don’t give a damn

We came from the West Virginia coal mines
And the Rocky Mountains and the western skies
And we can skin a buck; we can run a trotline
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive

I had a good friend in New York City
He never called me by my name, just hillbilly
My grandpa taught me how to live off the land
And his taught him to be a businessman
He used to send me pictures of the Broadway nights
And I’d send him some homemade wine

But he was killed by a man with a switchblade knife
For 43 dollars my friend lost his life
I’d love to spit some beech nut in that dude’s eyes
And shoot him with my old .45
‘Cause a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive

‘Cause you can’t starve us out and you can’t make us run
‘Cause we’re them old boys raised on shotgun
And we say “grace” and we say “Ma’am”
And if you ain’t into that we don’t give a damn

We’re from North California and South Alabama
And little towns all around this land
And we can skin a buck; we can run a trotline
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive
Country boy can survive
Country folks can survive