About the song
Toby Keith has long been one of country music’s most steadfast voices when it comes to patriotism, blue-collar pride, and the kind of rugged individualism that defines much of American country music. With Call a Marine, he leans fully into that familiar blend of humor, admiration, and a no-nonsense attitude, crafting a song that plays like a rallying cry for resilience and toughness in the face of adversity.
Keith, who built his career on songs that celebrate small-town values and military service—Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American) and American Soldier being prime examples—has always had a knack for tapping into the working-class spirit. Call a Marine follows in that tradition, but with a sharper comedic edge. It doesn’t just salute the strength and discipline of the United States Marine Corps; it paints them as the ultimate problem solvers, the people you turn to when no one else can get the job done. The song is built on a playful yet sincere premise: when things go wrong, whether it’s a bar fight or a crisis of national security, there’s only one reliable solution—call a Marine.
Musically, Call a Marine is classic Toby Keith—booming baritone vocals, driving guitars, and a melody that’s as anthemic as it is infectious. The song carries a honky-tonk swagger, blending traditional country instrumentation with rock-leaning energy. The production is crisp and straightforward, putting the focus squarely on Keith’s voice and the song’s tongue-in-cheek yet respectful lyrics.
Lyrically, Keith strikes a careful balance between humor and genuine appreciation. There’s a lighthearted exaggeration at play, but beneath it, the song stands as another testament to Keith’s deep respect for the military. His career has often celebrated the men and women in uniform, and Call a Marine is no exception. It’s a song that plays well in the kind of places where patriotism is worn proudly—honky-tonk bars, tailgates, and Fourth of July gatherings.
For longtime fans of Toby Keith, Call a Marine is exactly what they’ve come to love and expect: a raucous, good-natured, and undeniably catchy ode to toughness, country pride, and the people who serve. While it may not break new ground for Keith, it solidifies his place as one of country’s most unapologetically patriotic voices—one who can mix humor with heartfelt respect in a way that feels both entertaining and authentic.
Video
Lyrics
I was sitting in a bar, boozing and losing
Some jack off walks up cruising for a bruising
Popping off and making my old re’ neck red
He asked my girl if she’d like to dance
He had three buddies, so I had no chance
I looked around the room for a friend
And I saw Fred
A quick evaluation of the situation
We entered into a conversation
That seemed to last, the better part of the next two songs
Now I didn’t say and they didn’t ask but
Fred did two tours over in Iraq
And son, it was over before it was even on
Call a Marine instead of 911
They’re built to improvise, adapt, and overcome
When you’re in knee-deep and your up shit’s creek
You’ve tried everything
Tell you what you do
Call a Marine
Now my sister’s husband didn’t love her no more
And he runned off with a skinny little whore
And left her sitting round the house with a couple of kids
She just lays around in that mumu gown
Old girl put on about thirty-five pounds
And one day I went over to her house
And I said, “Hey sis, if you wanna fix what troubles you
Just ease down the VFW
And you’ll walk through the door and turn those boys heads
For most of those boys, it’s been a while
Just show a little leg and that Marlboro smile
And if that don’t work out for ya girl, ask for Fred”
Call a Marine instead of 911
They’re built to improvise, adapt, and overcome
If you’re in knee-deep and your up shits creek
You’ve tried everything
Tell you what you do
Call a Marine
Some douchebag rises up and overthrows his government
Diplomacy ain’t working and ammos all been spent
The world is in a crisis and the media a curse
I’ll tell you what to do when it goes from bad to worse
Call a Marine instead of 911
They’re built to improvise, adapt, and overcome
When you’re in knee-deep and your up shits creek
You’ve tried everything
Tell you what you do
Call a Marine
Tell you what to do baby
You can call
Call a marine
Yeah, yeah
