Keith's candid songs were a big part of his appeal

Most of us, at some point in our lives, have wanted to be a cowboy. As Americans, no matter where we are born, no matter our background, there is just something about a life on the range, John Wayne, old western films, country and western music and wild horses. It's something I think we all relate to, whether it's The Lone Ranger, the rodeo or the old west. Toby Keith wrote a song that summed that all up. In 1993, Keith had his first hit with "I Should Have Been a Cowboy." The lyrics reference American culture and freedom: "Go West young man," he sings. "Haven't you been told? California's full of whiskey, women and gold." The song is full of possibility and adventure. It was, really, a perfect introduction to Toby Keith. The track came out in '93, and I heard it a lot while on a music tour at a ranch in South Dakota. Even for just a few days, the 13-year-old from the Cleveland suburbs could feel like Marshall Dillon. Keith — one of the most successful country music artists of the last 30 years — died earlier this week of stomach cancer. He was only 62. Keith came on the scene just as I was losing interest in country music. It seemed to be veering too much into pop, to the point where I could no longer tell the difference between the genres. Part of me will always blame Billy Ray Cyrus' "Achy Breaky Heart" for this. But Keith was a contrast, giving off a vibe that was closer to Merle Haggard than to Lonestar. As a songwriter and a performer, his words just cut differently. His songs like "Wish I didn't Know Now," and "Who's That Man" — about lost love and the pain of moving on — were authentic and sincere. Keith had a thick, rough baritone voice, yet his songs could be heartfelt and sensitive. Of course, Keith — and his songs — could be darkly candid and dripping with anger. Many will remember his raging "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue," which was released in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The song was both loved and hated. It spoke of pain, sorrow and revenge. "And Uncle Sam put your name at the top of his list," he sang, "and the Statue of Liberty started shaking her fist.." For me, I never took the song as a call to arms. Keith was just being honest about how he felt — how many of us felt — immediately after the attacks. Even listening to the song now, 23 years after the Twin Towers were destroyed, it's hard not to remember those days — and those emotions — that came immediately after the tragedy. Keith's raw lyrics and vocal convey a feeling. You may not agree with it, but you damn sure know what it is. Keith was honest and raw. That, along with his deep musical talent, was bound to make him a star. He was a country music singer, through and through (You don't record a song called "I Love This Bar" if you aren't). He recorded a wonderful duet with Willie Nelson that (I think, anyway) is a tongue-in-cheek nod to western justice. Again, some people didn't like it. But I have a hard time believing a tune called "Beer for My Horses" is to be taken too seriously. In his career, Keith charted 20 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Country chart. He was a resounding success, and people will continue to play his music. He was controversial. He was honest. But when I think of him, I'll always think of his first hit. Maybe he thought he should have been a cowboy. In his own way, he was. But I'm thankful he was a singer. And I'm sure I'm not the only one. Baker is the sports editor for The Courier.