Beer for My Horses

Willie Nelson, Toby Keith

About Beer for My Horses

"Beer for My Horses" is a song recorded by American country music artists Toby Keith and Willie Nelson. It was written by Keith and Scotty Emerick for Keith's seventh studio album, Unleashed. The song was released as the album's fourth and final single on April 7, 2003. "Beer for My Horses" received mixed reviews from music critics. The single reached #22 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Keith's highest charting song of his career at the time. The song also peaked at #1 for six weeks in the US Billboard Hot Country Songs (one of two songs to stay that long at #1 for Toby Keith). Becoming Keith's 11th #1 hit and Nelson's 23rd and his first since "Nothing I Can Do About It Now" in 1989. "Beer for My Horses" was certified Platinum once by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The accompanying music video was directed by Michael Salomon and premiered on April 9, 2003."Beer for My Horses" also made Willie Nelson the oldest artist to top the country charts at age 70. The phrase, "Whisky for me beer for my horse" is said in the 1975 film, Bite the Bullet, by Jan Michael Vincent. 


Year:
2002
3:24
2,654 
#6

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Well a man come on the 6 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

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 them bad boys hang them high in the street
For all the people to see

That justice is the one thing you should always find
You got to saddle up your boys, you got to 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

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 set 'em down

'Cause justice is the one thing you should always find
You got to saddle up your boys, you got to draw a hard line
When the gun smoke settles we'll sing a victory tune
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

You know justice is the one thing you should always find
You got to saddle up your boys, you got to 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

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Willie Nelson

Willie Hugh Nelson (pronounced /wɪli nɛlsən /; born April 30, 1933) is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger (1975) and Stardust (1978), made Nelson one of the most recognized artists in country music. He was one of the main figures of outlaw country, a subgenre of country music that developed at the end of the 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restrictions of the Nashville sound. Nelson has acted in over 30 films, co-authored several books, and has been involved in activism for the use of biofuels and the legalization of marijuana. more »

17 fans

Written by: Scott Emerick, Toby Keith

Lyrics © Tokeco Tunes, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Background & Release
"Beer for My Horses" is a duet by American country music artists Toby Keith and Willie Nelson. The song was released on April 7, 2003, as the fourth single from the album "Unleashed."
Chart Performance
Upon its release, the song became a huge success, reaching number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs for six weeks. This was Toby Keith's twelve consecutive number one single, and Willie Nelson's twenty-third number one single.
Critical Acclaim
It won the Academy of Country Music (ACM) award for "Vocal Event of the Year" in 2004.
Origin
The title of the song is inspired by Toby Keith's grandfather. It was an old toast to end the day by saying "whiskey for my men, beer for my horses."
Unique Collaboration
This was the first collaboration between Willie Nelson and Toby Keith. The collaboration was initiated by Keith, who sent the song to Nelson asking if he would like to join him in recording the song.
Music Video
The music video for the song featured appearances by celebrities such as Ted Nugent and Corin Nemec.
Film Adaptation
The song was turned into a full-length feature film titled "Beer for My Horses," which was released in 2008. The film starred Toby Keith and featured Willie Nelson in a supporting role.
Song Meaning
The song presents a narration about lawmen questioning whether they were doing enough to prevent crime, and envisioning a vigilante-style justice reminiscent of old times.
Legacy
The song is considered one of Toby Keith's signature songs, and it has received continued airplay on country stations.
Cover Versions
"Beer for My Horses" has been referenced or covered by other artists. A notable example is Stephen Colbert who performed a folk cover of the song on his show "The Colbert Report."

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    Beer for My Horses

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 2003

    Billboard #22


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