The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I'm just a middle-aged middle-eastern camel herdin' man
I've got a little two bedroom cave here in north Afghanistan
Things used to be real nice and they got outta hand
Since they moved in
They call themselves the Taliban
Ooo, ooo the Taliban, baby
I ain't seen my wife's face since they came here
They make her wear a scarf over her head that covers her from ear to ear
She loves the desert and the hot, white sand but now
Man she just like me
She can't stand the Taliban
Ooo, ooo the Taliban, baby
But you know someday soon we're both gonna saddle up and it'll be
Ride camel, ride
My ol' lady she'll be here with me
Just smilin' ride by my side
We should do just fine out around Palestine
Or maybe Turkministan
We'll bid a fair adieu and flip the finger to the Taliban
Now they attacked New York City 'cause they thought they could win
Said they would stand and fight until the very bloody end
Mr. Bush got on the phone with Iraq and Iran he said now
You sons a' bitches, you better not be doin' any business with the Taliban
Ooo, ooo the Taliban, baby
Now we prayed to Allah with all of our might
Until those big U.S. jets came flyin' in one night
They dropped little bombs all over the holy land
Man you should've seen 'em run, like rabbits they ran, the Taliban
Ooo, ooo the Taliban, baby
But you know someday soon we're both gonna saddle up and it'll be
Ride camel, ride
My ol' lady she'll be here with me
Just smilin' ride by my side
We should do just fine out around Palestine
Or maybe Turkministan
We'll bid a fair adieu and flip a couple fingers to the Taliban
We'll bid a fair adieu and give a big boner to the Taliban
I've got a little two bedroom cave here in north Afghanistan
Things used to be real nice and they got outta hand
Since they moved in
They call themselves the Taliban
Ooo, ooo the Taliban, baby
I ain't seen my wife's face since they came here
They make her wear a scarf over her head that covers her from ear to ear
She loves the desert and the hot, white sand but now
Man she just like me
She can't stand the Taliban
Ooo, ooo the Taliban, baby
But you know someday soon we're both gonna saddle up and it'll be
Ride camel, ride
My ol' lady she'll be here with me
Just smilin' ride by my side
We should do just fine out around Palestine
Or maybe Turkministan
We'll bid a fair adieu and flip the finger to the Taliban
Now they attacked New York City 'cause they thought they could win
Said they would stand and fight until the very bloody end
Mr. Bush got on the phone with Iraq and Iran he said now
You sons a' bitches, you better not be doin' any business with the Taliban
Ooo, ooo the Taliban, baby
Now we prayed to Allah with all of our might
Until those big U.S. jets came flyin' in one night
They dropped little bombs all over the holy land
Man you should've seen 'em run, like rabbits they ran, the Taliban
Ooo, ooo the Taliban, baby
But you know someday soon we're both gonna saddle up and it'll be
Ride camel, ride
My ol' lady she'll be here with me
Just smilin' ride by my side
We should do just fine out around Palestine
Or maybe Turkministan
We'll bid a fair adieu and flip a couple fingers to the Taliban
We'll bid a fair adieu and give a big boner to the Taliban
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I really dig this song. Yes it is a bit "hoo-rah!" and "gung-ho" and oversimplifies the unique plight of the Afghan people, but I don't think Mr. Keith ever intended it to be a comprehensive commentary on the issue. (Though if you want a good commentary on the issue, check out "The Unexpected War: Canada's Role in Afghanistan." Yes, it has a focus on the Canadian mission, but it's a great read!)
Like others have all ready stated, this song is about boosting moral and bridging the gap between the west and the Afghan people. Again, reiterating the point that others have made, this song has a fairly unique context to which it was originally written and performed.
"I know where you're coming from, brother." That's a beautiful line addressed to the Afghan people who have been oppressed for years.
what an ignorant song.
I second that -- totally ignorant.
I'll have to disagree with both of you. Toby Keith is just fucking around here; he's not really being serious. Were you two born without a sense of humor?
what's "funny" is that in the original war in Afghanistan (circa 1980) against Russia, the group the US was backing was so horrible that the Taliban were actually WELCOMED in Kabul. sure, everyone knew the Taliban was bad, but at least they established some kind of order (albeit a totalitarian kind). the so-called Northern Alliance were simply pillaging and brutalizing the population. and he's kinda "fucking around", but in the context of songs like "the angry american" and what not it's pretty safe to say this guy is a moron who has no concept of international law (which the US agreed to and claims to uphold while violating it constantly), or any aspect of the culture of the middle-east (let alone afghanistan) beyond what he gets from the conjecture of those around him or the slim generalizations or misunderstandings from the US Media.
Toby Keith wasnt gonna put this song on his shocking yall CD but he played it at his concerts and his fans loved it. it was just a song that was ment to be funny. if you dont like this song or his other songs then dont listen to them..
Hey, I definitely don't listen to them. However, this kind of thing is symptomatic of a social problem and that's really what I was trying to convey.
haha...on my cd..the last line is
we'll bid a fair adeiu and give a big boner to the Taliban
haha he cracks me up. anywho...i think that toby is just giving his opinion on the Taliban...just in an Afghani POV....giving his opinion just like y'all are right here...me too...so...don't have a totally clear concience...c'mon, lift up your shirt (or unzip your pants) and live a fucking little!
To assume that Toby Keith understands what the Afghani POV is is ridiculous.
To assume that Toby Keith understands what the Afghani POV is is ridiculous.