Weekly Blog Post 6

"American Ride" starts off with the image of Toby Keith riding his Harley down a highway and as they ride past a sign that says "Welcome to the United States of America". As they pass the sign the construction of the video changes. It evolves into the still shot animation that will take us on Keith's "American ride".

The images that fallow are a series of very fast moving animations that for the most part illustrate Keith's lyrics. This animation along with the lyrics gives the feel that this song is not too be taken too seriously. This is ironic as the song talks about and shows many difficult issues facing our society. The video continues in the listen and see format. During the chorus of the song, Keith takes this opportunity to get some extra information thrown at you. For example in the background of him riding through the countryside, you can see silos turning into factory smokestacks billowing pollution. During this same time later in the song is where Keith gets in his political digs with former President Bush and President Obama.

The fact that the music and tone of Keith's voice is very upbeat and "cheery" would make one think that it is a song that would reflect that. However, if you listen to the lyrics and look at the images for even thirty seconds, you will see that is clearly not the case. Keith uses this to play off the gravity of these issues. He wants to show America what we have become and there is no better way to do that than to make fun of something. That is why such emotion is drawn from Toby Keith's music.

Keith strengthens his argument with these techniques. First he couples the lyrics with the images and when the audience is drawn in, he really lays into some heavy subjects. When he plays off these serious subjects, it will stir up emotion and make people talk which is Keith's main objective as well as give his position on subjects. Everyone feels a specific emotion after viewing this video and Toby's position is clear from his lyrics. The ending scene is almost a slap in the face as the posse rides off leaving the sign behind that reads "Thanks for visiting America... Ya'll come back now". The politeness and hospitality serves as a reminder as to what was just seen on our American ride.