Toby Keith and Our National Story

Last week , Toby Keith Covel passed away from stomach cancer at the age of 62 .

Frida Ghitis : It's worth examining how Keith ’s tone and lyrical observations changed over his three-decade career.

She says critics have used his death as opportunity to psychoanalyze his politics and subvert his message.

Ghitis says Keith voiced the popular and evolving sentiments of normal, patriotic Americans .

Toby Keith's last song in his final album, released in 2021 , is a sober reflection on his country’s condition.

Even in jest, his lyrics reveal divisions in America , even in his lyrics.

We should take Toby Keith as an opportunity to reflect on our country, its plight and how to “get it right”.