Introduction:
Toby Keith’s performance of “Ships That Don’t Come In” was featured as part of Toby Keith: American Icon, a special tribute event held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in 2024. This televised event celebrated Keith’s immense contributions to country music, blending live performances and heartfelt moments. The show highlighted his influence on the genre, with friends and collaborators sharing stories and performing iconic songs associated with his legacy.
“Ships That Don’t Come In” is a poignant ballad originally recorded by Joe Diffie in 1992. During the tribute, previously unreleased footage of Toby Keith performing this song was shared, offering a moving moment for the audience. Keith’s interpretation of the track, known for its emotional depth and introspective themes, further solidified his reputation as an artist capable of capturing the struggles and aspirations of everyday people. This rendition was particularly significant as it underscored Keith’s respect for Joe Diffie, a fellow country legend who passed away in 2020.
The event also served as a fundraiser, supporting The Toby Keith Foundation’s OK Kids Korral and the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, showcasing Keith’s philanthropic spirit. Toby Keith: American Icon aired as a two-hour special on NBC and Peacock, bringing this celebration of Keith’s career to fans worldwide. It stands as a testament to Keith’s enduring legacy and his ability to inspire through both music and generosity.
Video:
Lyrics:
“Ships That Don’t Come In”
By the way he sat and stared
And me, I’d come to push and shove
So I pulled up a chair.
We talked of roads untraveled
We talked of love untrue
Of strings that come unraveled
We were kings and kindred fools
And just when I’d hit bottom
That old man raised his glass
And said at least we had our chances
There’s those who never have.
So here’s to all the soldiers
Who have ever died in vain
The insane locked up in themselves
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.
He said it’s only life’s illusions
That bring us to this bar
To pick up these old crutches
And compare each other’s scars
‘Cuz the things we’re calling heartache
Hell, they’re hardly worth our time
We bitch about a dollar
When there’s those without a dime.
And as he ordered one last round
He said I guess we can’t complain
God made life a gamble
And we’re still in the game.
So here’s to all the soldiers
Who have ever died in vain
The insane locked up in themselves
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.