Battle of the Bands 09.22.09: Toby Keith vs. Keith Urban

Posted by Adam Battagello on 09.22.2009

Well I'm A Little Bit Country...

Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen to week 14 of the column that knows sometimes words just aren't enough, sometimes you need confrontation…it's Battle of the Bands.


Before the Blow

Just a bit of a pre-fight comment on what's been happening in the music industry since our last interaction. Many of you may recall the little tiff from last year between Jay-Z and Noel Gallagher in which Gallagher insinuated, and I may be paraphrasing here, that Jay-Z essentially had no place headlining the Glastonbury festival which is traditionally predominantly rock music oriented.

Jay-Z recently made the comment that "Noel Gallagher, I think he perpetuated the old way of thinking. We don't think like that, or listen to music like that [now]. On my iPod is The Beatles, Jay-Z, Kings Of Leon, Lil Wayne, Grizzly Bear, Arctic Monkeys. I listen to a diverse arrangement of music, and I think that how kids listen to music now."

I hate to say it that, as much as Jay-Z's field of music isn't my usual flavor, you really can't disagree with the man, he makes for a good argument and essentially paints a portrait of Gallagher being a rather close minded rock star. I always got the feeling that Oasis were the kind of band that would be happy if the world just stuck to listening to Beatles records on repeat, so there you go. Jay-Z, looks like you pulled out a win in this little rivalry.

Now onto the face-off.

This Week:
Toby Keith- American Ride vs. Keith Urban- Only You Can Love Me This Way







And I'm A Little Bit Rock 'n' Roll

Yes as you may have guessed I've taken a bit of a country bent for today's battle, and there are few country musicians out there today with quite the pull of our two combatants. In one corner we have Toby Keith, one of the most established and, dare I say, one of the most popular male country singers to come out of the United States in some time, the man has charted 40 singles on the Billboard Country charts, in addition to having 18 number ones. As far as musicians go, this guy is a mammoth not just of the country world, but also of popular music in general.

In the other corner we have Australian turned Nashville resident and Nicole Kidman trophy husband Keith Urban. While not possessing anywhere near the pedigree of Toby Keith, Urban has managed to hold his own in the States since releasing his debut solo record a decade ago, and he looks to continue this international success with his latest single ‘Only You Can Love Me This Way'. But will it be enough to pull out the win today? HERE WE GO!

Toby Keith- American Ride


I must confess I have been a fan of good Mr. Keith for some time. Not particularly the music mind you, more this DVD cover I happened across at one of my local stores while hunting for good viewing.



You'd have to have a heart of stone not to find that funny. But I won't ruin that joy and laughter by watching the movie…CHEAP HEAT.

Anyway onto the track itself.

Not being American, I never really got all the flag waving country music business, but I guess it's just a testament to Keith's ability as a musician that, while I may not understand the cultural origins of the music, I find it cool nonetheless. I mean, it doesn't take an expert to realize that tongue in cheek lyrics such as "fit's gunna hit the shan" (say it out loud) aren't exactly strokes of genius, but they are enjoyable anyway, when taken in the right context. Such as with heavy social drinking…not that I condone it or anything.

One issue that I've always had to contend with when listening to this type of music is that, much of what is played, seems to take a very closed minded view of the world. In this track, Keith essentially mocks the idea of a hole in the Ozone layer. Mother Nature will win eventually Toby, when global warming erases any record of your musical existence, of yes, you'll see.

But yes, other than the close-minded lyrical content at some points, what Keith has in ‘American ride' is a song that comfortably covers not only the country music genre, ensuring Keith success on his home turf, but is also something quite well fitting to rock out to with a steady flow of alcohol. And in these turbulent times what more can you ask for? Nothing that's what.

Moving On!

Keith Urban- Only You Can Love Me This Way


While arguably not as charged with energy as its competition today, Keith Urban's latest track from the album ‘Defying Gravity' is an emotion filled country track that is sure to draw a tear or two from the softer viewer. It is not the strongest single from Urban however, as it fails to display the full abilities that he has shown he is capable of on past tracks, both as a singer and a guitarist.

But while it may not flex his skills as a virtuoso or push him in a particularly new direction, I can see ‘Only You Can Love Me This Way' sneaking into a comfortable position in the charts as a strong, slow ballad. Shame Urban himself didn't compose the lyrics, as it would have really been a display of what the man can do as a songwriter.

My spidey sense tells me that this song is going to take a beating in the wedding requests from frequent use, and at the end of the day, so long as it pushes Urban's stock higher as a marketable country star in such a competitive industry, the guy doesn't really have anything to complain about.

THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE!
And this week, after much thought and deliberation, I'm going to have to side wi- "HEY YO ADAM, IMA LET YOU FINISH, BUT BEYONCE IS ONE OF THE BEST COUNTRY ARTISTS OF ALL TIME. OF ALL TIME"


Wait! no…

Until next week, happy battling