Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Jason, Morgan, And More Pay Tribute To Toby Keith

Author Nancy Brooks // Country Writer, Beasley Media Group

The country music family woke up today to the sad news of the death of country superstar Toby Keith at age 62 after a battle with stomach cancer.

As comments and thoughts about Keith will come in on social media all day long, we gathered some of the latest reactions to his passing.

Morgan Wallen on Insta Stories: “RIP: A Country Music and American Legend.”

Jason Aldean on Instagram:” Just waking up to the news of Toby Keith’s passing. Today is a sad day for Country music and its fans. Toby was a huge presence in our business and someone we all looked up to and respected. You and your music will be forever remembered, big man.”

Chris Young posted a photo of Keith’s song “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” on Instagram and wrote, “All I’ll be listening to today… Sad day #RIP.”

RELATED: Carrie Underwood, Jelly Roll and More React To Toby Keith’s Death

Dustin Lynch on Instagram: “Thank you @tobykeith, you inspired me and the next generation of cowboys. We’ll ride on with you and make sure our flag flies high.”

Cole Swindell on Insta Stories: “So sad waking up to this new. Life is short. Tell folks you love them while you can.”

Russell Dickerson posted a video of himself and friends at the base of a ski mountain on Insta Stories. He wrote, “Toby blasting at the base this am… RIP to a true pioneer.” His friend said, “Rest in peace, Toby Keith.”

Oliver Anthony on Insta Stores: “I am heartbroken hearing the news this morning. He inspired millions through his music and united the Nation at a time when we needed it the most. He may be gone in the flesh, but he will always be with us in spirit through his music. Long live the cowboy from Oklahoma, Mr. Toby Keith.”

Hailey Whitters on Insta Stories; “dang, I covered ‘Should’ve Been A Cowboy” in every bar at every gig I ever cut my teeth on. Godspeed, Toby Keith. Thank you for the songs.”

Five of Toby Keith's Songs That Will Live Forever

  • "Should've Been a Cowboy" (1993)

    This is his debut single and the song people will always associate with Toby. Many artists mentioned the song and its lyrics in their tribute to him after his death (2/6). Keith wrote the song himself, and it has always been his anthem. The song has received more than three million spins on country radio, making it the most-played country song of the 1990s. Over the years, the song has been a staple following sporting events at Oklahoma State University (home of the Cowboys), often played over the venue’s PA system several times in succession as fans emptied the stadium or arena.

  • "How Do You Like Me Now?!" (1999)

    This song brought Keith to superstardom. Toby told me the inspiration for the song in 2000. “Initially, I said, ‘Here’s my title: ‘You Never Loved Me Before, So How Do You Like Me Now?’ It’s one of my catchphrases. A lot of people become successful after they’ve been told they won’t ever be so that people can relate to this. It can be about an old flame or a boss or a teacher -whatever it means to each individual. It was a fun song to write.”

  • "I Wanna Talk About Me" (2001)

    This is another fun song and a big hit for Keith. The song was originally pitched to Blake Shelton, whose label turned it down. After recording the song, Keith said he knew he would get banged around for the song a bit. He noted, “They’re going to call it a rap, [although] there ain’t nobody doing rap who would call it a rap.”

    The music video for the song shows Toby in many different situations, including a man shopping with his girlfriend or wife, a police officer, a motorcycle rider, and a surgeon.

  • "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)" (2002)

    The song he wrote after the 9/11 attacks on America and was also inspired by Keith’s father’s death in March 2001. In a November 2003 interview with CBS, Keith said of writing the song: “I was so angry when we were attacked here on American soil that it leaked out of me.”

    The music video for the song features Toby performing the song, playing a red, white, and blue guitar, and showing images of his own father fighting in a war.

  • "Red Solo Cup" (2011)

    Keith sure is good at fun party songs, and he proved it once again with this song, which was the only song on the album Clancy’s Tavern that he did not write. The song was written by the Warren Brothers in Nashville.

    The music video includes cameos from Jeff Dunham (and his character Bubba J), Carrot Top, Ted Nugent, Sammy Hagar, Craig Ferguson, Geoff Peterson, Roger Clemens, Eric Church, Joe Nichols, Lance Burton, and Larry Bird, among others.

Nancy Brooks has been working in the country music industry for almost 30 years. She has interviewed pretty much any country star you can think of. In the late 1990s, she started working with Dolly Parton. And yes, Nancy reports that Parton is as sweet as you would think. She loves her life in country music and has been backstage at every CMA Awards show since the late 1990s. Many of her stories are from her one-on-one interviews. She was there at the beginning of the incredible careers of many music superstars today, including Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, and Blake Shelton, and has interviewed them multiple times throughout the years.

Get The XTU Nation Insider Newsletter In Your Inbox

Enjoy the latest Country music & entertainment news, Philly happenings you need to know, plus exclusive contests, games, and more!

*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Nancy Brooks // Country Writer, Beasley Media Group
Category:
Tags:
,,,

More 92.5 XTU

Load More