About the song
“Beer for My Horses” is a notable song performed by country music legends Toby Keith and Willie Nelson. Released on April 7, 2003, as the fourth single from Keith’s album *Unleashed*, the song quickly gained popularity and made a significant mark in the country music world.
Co-written by Toby Keith and Scotty Emerick, “Beer for My Horses” combines the distinctive styles of both artists. The song is known for its upbeat tempo and catchy chorus, which expresses frustration with the justice system’s inability to effectively deal with crime. The playful lyrics reflect a longing for a more straightforward form of justice, with the refrain “beer for my horses” capturing the song’s blend of humor and defiance.
The song achieved considerable success on the charts. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, where it stayed for six weeks. This was a notable accomplishment for both artists, marking Keith’s eleventh number one single and Nelson’s twenty-third. At the time, it also became Keith’s highest-charting song on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 22. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) later certified the song Platinum, recognizing its substantial sales.
The accompanying music video, directed by Michael Salomon, premiered on CMT on April 9, 2003. The video features Keith and Nelson as detectives investigating a serial killer, adding a narrative element that complements the song’s theme. This video was distinctive for being the first in which Keith did not appear singing on screen and was later nominated for Video of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
“Beer for My Horses” also inspired a 2008 film of the same name, which featured both Keith and Nelson. The song’s influence extended into popular culture, including a memorable episode of *Lethal Weapon* in 2016.
Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, with some describing it as “absurdly anthemic,” the song’s appeal has endured. As of early 2017, it had sold over 1.1 million copies in the United States, highlighting its lasting impact on fans and its place in the country music landscape.
Video
Lyrics
[Toby Keith:]
Willie man, come on, six 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[Willie Nelson:]
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 of them bad boys
Hang them high in the street
For all the people to see[Toby Keith and Willie Nelson:]
That justice is the one thing you should always find
You gotta saddle up your boys
You gotta 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.”[Toby Keith and Willie Nelson:]
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 settle ’em down‘Cause justice is the one thing you should always find
You gotta saddle up your boys
You gotta 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.”
“Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses.”Justice is the one thing you should always find
You gotta saddle up your boys
You gotta 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.”