A controversial "angry song" celebrating the bombing of Afghanistan has helped country singer Toby Keith to the top of the United States album chart.

And you'll be sorry that you messed with The US of A

Toby Keith Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue

The song, called Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American), has sparked debate over whether its highly patriotic tone is acceptable.

The song includes lyrics aimed at Osama Bin Laden and al-Qaeda, and says that reacting with force is "the American way".

It opens Keith's new Unleashed album, which sold more than 338,000 copies during its first week to take it to become the country's number one album.

Keith was taken off the bill for a 4 July television concert because the ABC network reportedly objected to the song's lyrics.

Keith said he wrote the song in memory of his father

The network's decision began a media debate over whether Keith's sentiments were patriotic or crossed the line to jingoism.

The song includes the lyrics: "And you'll be sorry that you messed with/The US of A/'Cause we'll put a boot in your ass/It's the American way."

Keith says the song reflects his feeling that Americans should be proud to stand up for their country.

He wrote it in memory of his father, who served in the military, he said.

"My Dad was a GI... I wanted [soldiers] to know that any American that supported this song was behind them," he said.

Award

The album also includes the song Beer For My Horses, a duet with Willie Nelson, which is described as a passionate plea for justice.

Keith, from Oklahoma, was named the male vocalist of the year at the last Country Music Association Awards.

His last album, Pull My Chain, has sold almost two million copies in the US.

Unleashed knocked The Dave Matthews' Band's Busted Stuff off the top of the album chart.