Made In America: Toby Keith & Jay-Z

EPISODE #48

Back in 2011, two pop songs dropped with the same patriotic title: “Made in America.” But the similarities pretty much end there. Toby Keith’s country smash and Jay Z, Kanye West and Frank Ocean’s soulful hip hop anthem have little in common except a firm conviction that each song knows what it really means to be American. Five years later, these tracks have a lot to tell us about the role music plays in shaping our national identity, and begs the question: does music truly bring us together?

SONGS DISCUSSED

Toby Keith – Made In America

Jay Z and Kanye West ft. Frank Ocean – Made in America

Sisqo – Thong Song

Usher – Yeah!

Beyoncé – Daddy Lessons

Jimmie Rodgers – Blue Yodel No. 9

Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys – Ida Red Likes to Boogie