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

This session was recorded for HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE and also features Luke Combs.

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.

HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE, the 17-track collaborations project honoring the life and career of Joe Diffie, was unveiled 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.

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.