The late songwriter recorded “Ships That Don't Come In” with Luke Combs for Hardy's “Hixtape” album.
When Hardy fell his third volume on Joe Diffie Hixtape Series on Friday, he did so with an army of country cameos: Blake Shelton, Chris Young, Clint Black, Darius Rucker, Hailey Whitters and Koe Wetzel all appear on various tracks. But it's the inclusion of Toby Keith that is most poignant. His appearance on “Ships That Don't Come In,” with Luke Combs, is his last studio performance before his death in February.
Written by Paul Nelson and Dave Gibson and released by Diffie in 1992, “Ships That Don't Come In” was about the vicissitudes of life, from opportunities taken and those never presented. Keith and Combs trade lines on Hardy's new recording, with Diffie's original vocals woven throughout. It's an elegant recording — and a moving coda to Keith's career in the studio.
Last week, Keith was announced as one of the new inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame, joining John Anderson and James Burton as the class of 2024. Keith, who had been battling stomach cancer in recent years, has died the day before he had probably learned of his induction.
Diffie, a pillar of '90s country music known for hits like “Pickup Man,” “John Deere Green” and “Third Rock From the Sun,” died in 2020 at age 61 after suffering from from Covid-19. Hardy, Morgan Wallen and Post Malone paid tribute to Diffie at the 2023 CMA Awards by performing a version of “John Deere Green.”
from our partners at https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/toby-keith-final-recording-ships-that-dont-come-in-1234996520/
