Matt J. Glazer ’06 and Andrew H. Golis ’06 passed many of the hours they spent driving listening to the radio. By the end of the summer, they had a vast knowledge of top-40 country music—and even a favorite song: “As Good As I Once Was” by Toby Keith. Keith is also the artist behind “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue,” a post-9/11 song whose enthusiastic patriotism made national headlines.

An excerpt from “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue”:

…

Now this nation that I love

Has fallen under attack

A mighty sucker punch came flyin’ in

From somewhere in the back

Soon as we could see clearly

Through our big black eye

Man, we lit up your world

Like the 4th of July

Hey Uncle Sam

Put your name at the top of his list

And the Statue of Liberty

Started shakin’ her fist

And the eagle will fly

Man, it’s gonna be hell

When you hear mother freedom

Start ringin’ her bell

And it feels like the whole wide world is raining down on you

Brought to you courtesy of the red white and blue

Justice will be served

And the battle will rage

This big dog will fight

When you rattle his cage

And you’ll be sorry that you messed with

The U.S. of A.

’cause we’ll put a boot in your ass

It’s the American way

An excerpt from “As Good As I Once Was”:

She said ‘I’ve seen you in here before’

I said ‘I’ve been here a time or two’

She said ‘Hello, my name is Bobby Jo

Meet my twin sister Betty Lou

And we’re both feeling kinda wild tonight

And you’re the only cowboy in this place

And if you’re up for a rodeo

We’ll put a big Texas smile on your face’

I said ‘Girls,’

I ain’t as good as I once was

I got a few years on me now

But there was a time back in my prime

When I could really lay it down

And if you need some love tonight

Then I might have just enough

I ain’t as good as I once was

But I’m as good once as I ever was

…

I used to be Hell on wheels

Back when I was younger man

Now my body says ‘You can’t do this boy’

But my pride says ‘Oh, yes you can.’