New Video Documents Toby Keith’s Emotional Final Studio Recording Session

Just one day following the NBC special, Toby Keith: American Icon, a new video of the legendary singer/songwriter’s final studio recording session has been released.

HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE, the 17-track collaborations project honoring the life and career of Joe Diffie, was unveiled on March 29, 2024, via Big Loud Records in conjunction with the Diffie estate, DIFFTAPE. With today being five months since its release, Big Loud Records’ HIXTAPE is sharing the official studio video of “Ships That Don’t Come In,” recorded by the late Toby Keith and Luke Combs, and also features previously recorded vocals from Diffie. 

This video now is an incredibly special memory for both the country music community and Keith’s family as it documents the moments of his very last recording before passing away in February of 2024. 

These behind-the-scenes clips capture the moment Keith and Combs went into the Nashville studio last year and laid down their powerful vocals down for the Diffie classic. Even though the Oklahoma native was in the midst of his battle with stomach cancer, his vocals were just as rich and strong as ever. He can be heard pouring his passion for country music into the hit, while Combs does the same, creating a version that beautifully honors Diffie’s original recording that appeared on his sophomore album, Regular Joe in 1992

Written by Dave Gibson and Paul Nelson, “Ships That Don’t Come In” reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks. Keith and Combs blend their baritone vocals in a string of captivating harmonies as they deliver the emotional conversation between two men who are discussing some of the hardship they have experienced in their lives. While hearing themselves complain, they eventually come to the realization that there are others who have endured much worse. So instead of being down on themselves, they decide to start celebrating the fact that they still have a life to live. 

“So here’s to all the soldiers/ Who have ever died in vain/ The insane locked up in themselves/ And the homeless down on Main/ To those who stand on empty shores/ And spit against the wind/ And those who wait forever/ For ships that don’t come in,” they sing on the chorus. 

Luke Combs revealed it was an easy “yes” to be on a song with someone as legendary as Toby Keith as it was a bucket list goal that he finally got to cross off. 

“To be on a song with Toby was a no-brainer when it got presented to me. That was something I had always hoped to do but never knew if it would happen or not,” Combs said in a recent statement. 

He went on to say that the opportunity felt even more special knowing that Joe Diffie had such a big impact on his career.  

“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,” he added. 

Joe Diffie died on March 29, 2020, at 61, due to complications of the coronavirus. This tribute project headed by HARDY features a slew of other country artists including previously recorded vocals by Diffie alongside Clint Black, Larry Fleet, Randy Houser, Luke Bryan, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Lainey Wilson, Tracy Lawrence, Chris Young, Nate Smith, Mark Wills, ERNEST, Aaron Tippin, Randall King, Sammy Kershaw, Parker Diffie (Joe Diffie’s son), Hailey Whitters, Darius Rucker, Brooks & Dunn, Blake Shelton, Jake Worthington, Reba McEntire, Jack Ingram, Koe Wetzel, Luke Combs, Toby Keith, Kameron Marlowe, Lauren Watkins, and previously announced artists HARDY, Morgan Wallen, and Post Malone.