Toby Keith’s Streams Soar by 165 Percent

Toby Keith’s music experienced a significant surge in streams over the Fourth of July holiday, according to a recent report from Billboard.

Tracks from Keith’s catalog accumulated a staggering 10.7 million streams and 3,600 digital song sales on Independence Day. This represented jumps of 165 percent and 251 percent, respectively. These impressive numbers positioned him among the biggest July 4th gainers across all genres, alongside other patriotic hits such as Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” and festive songs like Katy Perry’s “Firework” and Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.”

For years, Keith has witnessed an increase in streams and sales every July 4th, particularly with his patriotic anthems like “Made in America,” “American Soldier,” and “The Angry American (Courtesy of the Red White and Blue).”

As expected, these songs performed exceptionally well this year, earning streaming increases of 380 percent, 308 percent, and 356 percent, respectively. “Courtesy” led the pack with an astounding 3.6 million streams on Independence Day alone.

But it wasn’t just these patriotic songs that saw a boost. Other tracks from Keith’s extensive catalog also experienced notable streaming jumps. “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” saw a 70 percent increase, “Red Solo Cup” enjoyed a 119 percent rise, and “Beer For My Horses”—a duet with Willie Nelson—gained by 124 percent.

According to Billboard‘s data, Keith’s July 4th streaming surge might have been influenced by more than just the holiday. This year holds special significance as it marks the first Independence Day since Keith’s passing from stomach cancer in February. This has kept him fresh in listeners’ minds, adding an emotional layer to the traditional patriotic appeal of his music.

Keith has undoubtedly been a figure in the thoughts of fans recently, not just for his music but also because his 63rd birthday fell just a few days after the holiday, on July 8.

This year has been marked by multiple tribute shows and performances by various country stars in honor of Keith. An all-star memorial concert featuring Jelly Roll, Luke Bryan, and more is scheduled to air in August on NBC, keeping the late singer’s legacy alive.

Source: Billboard