Country Music Fans Have "Chills" Over Toby Keith's Final Recording


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The world is still mourning the February 2024 passing of the late, great Toby Keith. Seven months later, though, fans are getting a tear-jerking firsthand look into the last recording before his passing.

On August 29, Big Loud Records’ HIXTAPE released the official studio video of "Ships That Don't Come In," the collaboration between Toby and Luke Combs. The song was featured on HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE, a 17-song collaborations project honoring the late Joe Diffie.

“To be on a song with Toby was a no-brainer when it got presented to me,” Luke revealed in a press release. “That was something I had always hoped to do but never knew if it would happen or not. It being one of Joe’s songs, especially this one, made it even better; he was there the night I got inducted into the Opry and actually gave me my Opry member award. I grew up listening to both of those guys’ music, so to be a part of this version of the song and it now be Toby’s last recording is kind of hard to put into words. Country music misses them greatly, but I hope we’re doing justice to continue what they started.”

Luke isn’t the only one who feels emotional about this collaboration—and the video of it. YouTube users were quick to comment on the video as soon as it hit the platform.

“I’m not crying, you are! We miss you, Toby! Life is not fair,” one fan exclaimed. “Toby was an amazing man. I still can't believe he's really gone. God bless his family,” someone else wrote. “We live most of our lives unaware of what's really important and then we hear a Toby Keith song and it brings us back again. R.I.P. Toby,” another fan chimed in. “Wow! This version gave me chills to the bone. Absolutely fantastic! Rest in peace Toby, you guys did Joe Diffie proud,” another YouTube user commented. “Even in his condition, his voice was still strong. Song brought tears to my eyes. God bless you, Toby,” someone else marveled.

Toby Keith died on February 5, 2024, following a 2.5-year battle with stomach cancer.

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