Introduction:
Released in 2003, “Beer For My Horses” became an instant country music classic, thanks to the powerful pairing of Toby Keith and the legendary Willie Nelson. The song, the fourth and final single from Keith’s album Unleashed, perfectly captured the spirit of camaraderie and shared experiences on the open road, resonating deeply with fans.
Toby Keith, a rising star in the country music scene known for his brash patriotism and working-class anthems, co-wrote “Beer For My Horses” with songwriter Scotty Emerick. The song tells the story of two weary travelers, likely cowboys, who pull into a dusty town after a long journey. Keith delivers the opening verse, painting a picture of a sun-baked landscape and the shared exhaustion of the men and their horses. Willie Nelson, a country music icon revered for his outlaw persona and smooth vocals, joins in the chorus, adding a layer of experience and gravitas to the narrative. The iconic line, “Whiskey for me, beer for my horses” perfectly encapsulates the easy camaraderie and unspoken bond between the two travelers.
“Beer For My Horses” was a critical and commercial success. The song reached #22 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Keith’s highest-charting song at the time. However, its true triumph came on the country charts, where it remained at #1 for an impressive six weeks. This tied Keith’s record for his longest-running chart-topper and marked a significant milestone for Nelson, making him the oldest artist to ever top the country charts at the age of 70. The song was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), solidifying its place as a modern country classic.
The accompanying music video, directed by Michael Salomon, further enhanced the song’s appeal. Shot in a sepia-toned filter, the video features both Keith and Nelson performing the song intercut with scenes depicting the dusty landscapes and the weary travelers from the lyrics. The video premiered on CMT and perfectly complemented the song’s nostalgic and down-to-earth feel.
“Beer For My Horses” endured beyond the charts. The song became a staple at Keith’s live shows, often performed as a duet with surprise guests, carrying on the tradition of shared experience and camaraderie. It also transcended the country genre, finding a place in popular culture and inspiring countless covers by other artists. The song’s legacy lies in its ability to capture the essence of the open road, the value of friendship, and the simple pleasures found in shared experiences – all delivered with a touch of humor and a whole lot of country charm.
Video:
Lyrics:
“Beer For My Horses”
[Toby Keith:]
Willie man, come on, six o’clock news
Said somebody’s been shot, somebody’s been abused
Somebody blew up a building
Somebody stole a car
Somebody got away
Somebody didn’t get too far, yeah
They didn’t get too far[Willie Nelson:]
Grandpappy told my pappy back in my day, “Son,
A man had to answer for the wicked that he done.”
Take all the rope in Texas
Find a tall oak tree,
Round up all of them bad boys
Hang them high in the street
For all the people to see[Toby Keith and Willie Nelson:]
That justice is the one thing you should always find
You gotta saddle up your boys
You gotta draw a hard line
When the gun smoke settles we’ll sing a victory tune
And we’ll all meet back at the local saloon
We’ll raise up our glasses against evil forces
Singing, “Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses.”[Toby Keith and Willie Nelson:]
We got too many gangsters doing dirty deeds
Too much corruption and crime in the streets
It’s time the long arm of the law put a few more in the ground
Send ’em all to their maker and he’ll settle ’em down
You can bet he’ll settle ’em down‘Cause justice is the one thing you should always find
You gotta saddle up your boys
You gotta draw a hard line
When the gun smoke settles we’ll sing a victory tune
And we’ll all meet back at the local saloon
And we’ll raise up our glasses against evil forces
Singing, “Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses.”
“Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses.”Justice is the one thing you should always find
You gotta saddle up your boys
You gotta draw a hard line
When the gun smoke settles we’ll sing a victory tune
And we’ll all meet back at the local saloon
And we’ll raise up our glasses against evil forces
Singing, “Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses.”
Singing, “Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses.”