Toby Keith - "Bullets in the Gun"
By: Matt Bjorke
I’m just gonna come out and say it from the start of this article. “Bullets in the Gun” is the best single that Toby Keith has released in a decade. So if you're looking for something that says this song is just another 'good' but not great song, well you've come to the wrong place. I think it’s right up there with “How Do You Like Me Now,” and “Should’ve Been A Cowboy.
The song plays on the Bonnie and Clyde story to give a modernized account of a vagabond outlaw couple. Toby Keith’s bringing the western back into modern country music with “Bullets in the Gun” just like he’s bringing a story song back into country music as well. Each lyric of the song propels this mini movie to an inevitable conclusion where guns are a blazin’ as the couple goes out in a firefight with the law.
“Bullets in the Gun” doesn’t have the ‘meaningful’ romantic or inspirational songs these days but that doesn’t mean the lyrics of “Bullets in the Gun” are any less powerful. The song’s a fantastic reminder of how a strongly lyrical song can take us places and into a movie in our minds. At three and a half minutes long, “Bullets in the Gun” doesn’t propel a story just to propel a story. It’s a simple three act story with vivid imagery.
Even if you don’t condone the fictional story being told, it’s still a damn good song with a melody which suits the lyric perfectly. While I figured “Trailerhood” would do a bit better at country radio, there’s no denying a hit when you hear it. With “Bullets in the Gun,” Toby Keith has given fans a magnificent song.
READER'S COMMENTS
theif@toby.com says:
Posted: Wednesday, September 7, 2011
A pussy way out - rip off someone else's work and get the less informed to praise your "genius."
says:
Posted: Saturday, September 3, 2011
Robert Earl just wrote Toby a nice new song on his new Album ready for Confetti. " your a regular jack in the box with your clown suit and your goldie locks," hahaha REK!
Kyle Haynes says:
Posted: Saturday, September 3, 2011
Robert Earl just wrote Toby a nice new song on his new Album ready for Confetti. " your a regular jack in the box with your clown suit and your goldie locks," hahaha REK!
Kyle Haynes says:
Posted: Saturday, September 3, 2011
Robert Earl just wrote Toby a nice new song on his new Album ready for Confetti. " your a regular jack in the box with your clown suit and your goldie locks," hahaha REK!
Emily says:
Posted: Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Toby is more famous than Robert Earl Keen, by a lot, and I am very disappointed that he exploited that and ripped off a man much more talented than himself; and I'm more disappointed that he mostly got away with it.
Chris says:
Posted: Saturday, January 1, 2011
This song is a blatant ripoff of Robert Earl Keen's "The Road Goes On Forever."
Sonny says:
Posted: Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Listen in this order. 1 Joe Ely's "Me and billy the kid" 2 Robert Earl Keens "Road goes on forever" and this 3 Toby Keith song "Bullets in the gun"
David Garcia says:
Posted: Monday, October 4, 2010
I just saw this posting, and noticed that Scott had the same opinion. If you are from Texas,and know Texas Music, then you know Robert Earls... It has the same riff, beat, and theme as "The Road Goes on Forever".. Not saying its a bad song, Toby knows how to sing good songs, but i honestly dont believe that when "Bullets" was written, that song wasnt in mind... there isnt a coincidence. Its either a tribute or a ripoff... hopefully no lawsuits come out of it...
Scott says:
Posted: Sunday, October 3, 2010
Compare the lyrics, theme, and overall structure between Toby Keith's "Bullets In The Gun" and Robert Earl Keen's "Road Goes On Forever" and you might just change your opinion.
Scott says:
Posted: Saturday, October 2, 2010
Seems to me that Toby Keith might have accidently been holding a copy of the lyrics from Robert Earl Keen's "Road Goes On Forever" in one hand and a Mont Blanc pen in the other when he wrote "Bullets In The Gun." However, I am sure that any "similarities" are simply coincidental. Next time just do the right thing and cover the song Toby. Everybody knows that you can't write like Robert anyway.
Scott says:
Posted: Saturday, October 2, 2010
Seems to me that Toby Keith might have accidently been holding a copy of the lyrics from Robert Earl Keen's "Road Goes On Forever" in one hand and a Mont Blanc pen in the other when he wrote "Bullets In The Gun." However, I am sure that any "similarities" are simply coincidental. Next time just do the right thing and cover the song Toby. Everybody knows that you can't write like Robert anyway.
Donna says:
Posted: Wednesday, September 22, 2010
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Toby sure knows how to please his fans. I am a Warrior and I know this is going to be a #1 hit just like always. YOU ROCK TOBY!!!!!!
ANN says:
Posted: Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Heard this song in concert this weekend and it will rock the radio stations. Loved it!!!
Ryan Roberts says:
Posted: Tuesday, September 21, 2010
I was thinking the exact same thing when you wrote " Bringing the western back into modern country music" Just somnething you haven't heard in forever and awesome to see back with this song!
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