About the song
“Bullets in the Gun” marks Toby Keith’s fourteenth studio album, released on October 5, 2010, under the Show Dog-Universal Music label. The album features a blend of country rock and traditional country elements, showcasing Keith’s versatility as an artist. It includes three singles: “Trailerhood,” the title track “Bullets in the Gun,” and “Somewhere Else.” While “Trailerhood” peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, the title track and “Somewhere Else” reached number 12, making it the first of Keith’s studio albums not to produce a single Top 10 hit on the country charts.
**Background**
In an interview with Billboard, Toby Keith discussed the creative process behind “Bullets in the Gun,” highlighting a period of prolific songwriting and a shift towards more upbeat and optimistic themes. He expressed satisfaction with the album’s direction, attributing it to a positive phase in his life after exploring opportunities in film. This backdrop underscores the album’s tone and lyrical content, which reflects a blend of personal reflection and storytelling.
**Critical Reception**
Upon its release, “Bullets in the Gun” received generally positive reviews from music critics. It achieved a Metascore of 76 on Metacritic, indicating favorable reception based on a consensus of six reviews. Bill Friskics-Warren of The Washington Post praised the album’s tracklist, noting the absence of weak songs and highlighting several standout tracks as particularly impressive. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic awarded the album 4.5 out of 5 stars, lauding its cohesion and describing it as Toby Keith’s most refined work since “White Trash with Money” in 2006.
Matt Bjorke from Roughstock echoed this sentiment, calling “Bullets in the Gun” an engaging album that captures various facets of relationships and life stages, labeling it Keith’s best effort in years. Gary Graff of Billboard Magazine commended the album’s cleverness and praised its straightforward approach. However, Jessica Phillips of Country Weekly offered a more tempered review, giving it three stars and highlighting its thematic focus on heartache and healing.
Jon Caramanica of The New York Times presented a contrasting view, describing the album as Keith’s most inconsistent to date, characterized by disparate attitudes and lacking in conviction in its thematic delivery.
**Commercial Performance**
“Bullets in the Gun” debuted strongly, entering both the US Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts at number one, with first-week sales totaling 71,000 copies. Despite its initial success, the album experienced a significant drop in subsequent weeks, reflecting a total of 323,880 copies sold in the United States by May 2011.
In conclusion, “Bullets in the Gun” showcases Toby Keith’s evolution as a musician, blending narrative depth with musical prowess. Its critical reception, though mixed in parts, underscores its significance as a chapter in Keith’s career, demonstrating his ability to resonate with audiences while exploring new musical territories. The album’s commercial success further solidifies its impact within the country music landscape, cementing Toby Keith’s place as a formidable figure in the genre.
Video
Lyrics
They used to call me lightening
I was always quick to strike
Had everything I own
In the saddles on my bike
I had a reputation
For never staying very long
Just like a wild and restless drifter
Like a cowboy in a song
I met a dark haired beauty
Where they lay the whiskey down
In southern Arizona
In a little border town
She had to dance for money
In that dusty old saloon
I dropped a dollar in the jukebox
Played that girl a tune, yeah
Never see it comin’
It just hits you by surprise
It’s that cold place in your soul
And the fire in her eyes
Makes you come together
Like wild horses when they run
Now the cards are on the table and
The bullets in the gun
She was sittin’ on my lap
We still had shots to kill
When a man pulled up
Who owned the bar
In a Cadillac Deville
He grabbed her by her raven hair
And threw her on the floor
Said no free ride for the cowboys
That ain’t what I pay you for
She jumped up and grabbed my pistol
Stuck it in the fat man’s back
Said open up the safe
And put your money in the sack
Then tied his hands behind him
And put a blindfolded on his eyes
Said if you’re dumb enough to chase us man
You’re dumb enough to die
Never see it comin’
It just hits you by surprise
It’s that cold place in your soul
And the fire in her eyes
It makes you come together
Like wild horses when they run
Now the cards are on the table and
The bullets in the gun, yeah
We rode across the border
Down into Mexico
When you’re runnin’ from the law
Ain’t that where everybody goes
We came to a town
With a name I couldn’t spell
She gave me what I came for
In that Mexican motel
I woke to the sound of sirens and
The sound of running feet
There were fifty Federales
Locked and loaded in the street
She grabbed my 44
I grabbed the money in the sack
She kissed me for the last time
And we headed out the back
Every gun was on us
And every heartbeat pounded
The only thing that’s left to do
When they got you all surrounded
She fired that old pistol
But we didn’t stand a prayer
Money hit the gravel
Man, bullets filled the air
You never see it comin’
‘Til it hits you by surprise
It’s that cold place in your soul
And the fire in her eyes
Makes you come together
Like wild horses when they run
Now the cards are on the table and
And the bullets in the gun
The bullets in the gun
The bullets in the gun
The bullets in the gun