Introduction:
Toby Keith’s “Rum Is The Reason”: A Toast to History (and Mishaps)
Toby Keith’s “Rum Is The Reason” (2015) isn’t your typical pirate anthem. This laid-back, steel drum-infused track takes a humorous look at history, suggesting that rum, not lack of firepower, might be the real reason pirates never achieved world domination.
Co-written by Keith and Scotty Emerick, the song isn’t historically accurate, but it uses rum’s well-known association with pirates to create a lighthearted narrative. Rum became a staple on pirate ships in the 17th and 18th centuries, valued for its portability, ability to be diluted with water, and its perceived medicinal properties. However, the song hints at rum’s potential to cloud judgment and lead to poor decision-making, themes not often explored in pirate lore.
Keith’s signature vocals deliver lines like “Blackbeard woulda conquered the Spanish Main, but his compass pointed to a rum distillery down the lane.” The song playfully references historical figures like Genghis Khan and Napoleon, suggesting their downfalls might have been fueled by a love for the drink. While lighthearted, the song taps into a kernel of truth. Disciplined and organized forces often prevailed over pirates, whose freewheeling lifestyle might have been more conducive to heavy drinking.
“Rum Is The Reason” wasn’t a major hit for Keith, but it found a place on his 2015 album “35mph Town.” While some reviewers saw it as a more low-key effort compared to his usual style, others appreciated its novelty and historical, albeit tongue-in-cheek, references.
So, next time you raise a glass of rum, remember Toby Keith’s perspective. Perhaps the world wasn’t meant for pirate rule, and maybe a little too much rum played a part in that!