About The Song
Released as a single in 2015 from his album 35 MPH Town, “Rum Is The Reason” finds Toby Keith indulging in the popular tropical country subgenre, offering a lighthearted, humorous take on escapism and life choices. Co-written, as many of his successful songs were, with Scotty Emerick, the track playfully attributes various historical outcomes and personal situations to the influence of the titular spirit. It showcases Keith’s familiar wry wit applied to a breezy, island-inspired soundscape.
The enduring songwriting partnership between Toby Keith and Scotty Emerick consistently produced catchy and often thematic country songs, ranging from heartfelt ballads to rollicking anthems. With “Rum Is The Reason,” they tapped into the well-established “beach country” vibe popularized by artists like Jimmy Buffett and Kenny Chesney. Included on the 35 MPH Town album, the song provided a dose of sunny relaxation and tongue-in-cheek philosophizing, serving as a single intended to capture the feel-good, laid-back mood popular on country radio.
Musically, “Rum Is The Reason” undoubtedly leans into its tropical country influences. Listeners can expect a relaxed, likely mid-tempo groove with instrumentation designed to evoke an island atmosphere. This could include bright acoustic guitar strumming, perhaps the distinctive shimmer of steel drums or ukulele, light percussion, and a laid-back rhythm section creating an easygoing, swaying feel. The production would likely aim for a bright, breezy quality, enhancing the song’s escapist mood. Toby Keith‘s vocal delivery would probably be relaxed, conversational, and infused with the wry humor central to the song’s premise.
The core theme revolves around the humorous conceit of blaming rum for various personal shortcomings or even large-scale historical failures, most notably the tongue-in-cheek explanation that “Rum Is The Reason” pirates never achieved world domination. The lyrics likely use this central idea to playfully justify a laid-back lifestyle, perhaps a reluctance to leave a tropical paradise, or an avoidance of more ambitious pursuits. It’s a lighthearted exploration of escapism, playfully shirking responsibility by attributing choices and outcomes to the effects of the beverage. The song doesn’t seriously promote this reasoning but uses it as a vehicle for humor and character sketching, painting a picture of someone quite content with their relaxed, perhaps unconventional, existence.
This track fits comfortably within the tradition of escapist, island-themed songs in country and popular music, offering listeners a momentary mental vacation to sandy beaches and carefree attitudes. It aligns with Toby Keith‘s penchant for relatable, often humorous observations about life, presented here with a distinct tropical flavor. His straightforward delivery would make the slightly absurd justifications sound amusingly matter-of-fact.
As a single, “Rum Is The Reason” achieved modest chart success, peaking around #41 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. While not reaching the heights of his biggest blockbusters, its presence as a single indicates its perceived appeal and its connection with fans who enjoyed Keith’s lighter, more humorous material and the popular tropical sound. It represented his continued engagement with contemporary country trends later in his career.
In essence, “Rum Is The Reason” is a breezy, humorous slice of tropical country from Toby Keith‘s 2015 album, 35 MPH Town, co-written with Scotty Emerick. Its laid-back island vibe, coupled with the playful theme of attributing life’s trajectories to rum, provides an enjoyable piece of musical escapism within Keith’s diverse catalogue, showcasing his lighter side and engagement with popular country subgenres.