February 16, 2024
Country music legend Toby Keith, known for his traditional values, patriotism and irreverent humor passed away on February 5 from stomach cancer at 62.
Keith, whose albums sold more than 40 million copies in his career, received the national Medal of Honor in 2021. One of his most famous songs, “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” was inspired by the September 11 attacks and the death of his father H.K. Covel, a veteran killed in a car accident. The song was only intended for concert performances until Commandant of the Marine Corps James L. Jones told Keith it was his “duty as an American citizen” to record it.
“Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family,” the family announced on social media. “He fought his fight with grace and courage.”
The singer spoke about his battle with cancer several months ago, and said, “I was going through all the chemo, radiation, surgery, and I got to the point where I was comfortable with whatever happened. I had my brain wrapped around it, and I was in a good spot either way.”
A native of Oklahoma, Keith worked in oil fields and played semi-pro football before his music career began. Last September, he performed at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards and was given the Country Icon Award. In 2006, he began a foundation to help children with cancer.
One of his most popular songs about family and faith and living in the moment is “My List.”
Hear the late Toby Keith sing “My List.”
(https://youtu.be/-uDxF5q0V9s?si=FsEsREtrySpnCa-J)
My List
Under an old brass paperweight
Is my list of things to do today,
Go to the bank and the hardware store,
Put a new lock on the cellar door.
I cross ’em off as I get ’em done
But when the sun is settled,
There’s still more than a few things left
I haven’t got to yet,
Go for a walk, say a little prayer,
Take a deep breath of mountain air,
Put on my glove and play some catch,
It’s time that I make time for that,
Wade the shore and cast a line,
Look up an old lost friend of mine,
Sit on the porch and give my girl a kiss,
Start livin’, that’s the next thing on my list.
Wouldn’t change the course of fate,
The cutting the grass just had to wait,
‘Cause I’ve got more important things,
Like pushin’ my kid on the backyard swing.
I won’t break my back for a million bucks
I can’t take to my grave,
So why put off for tomorrow
What I could get done today,
Like go for a walk, say a little prayer,
Take a deep breath of mountain air,
Put on my glove and play some catch,
It’s time that I make time for that.
Wade the shore, cast a line,
Look up an old lost friend of mine,
Sit on the porch and give my girl a kiss,
Start livin’, that’s the next thing on my list,,
Raise a little hell, laugh ’til it hurts,
Put an extra five in the plate at church,
Call up my folks just to chat,
It’s time that I make time for that,
Stay up late, and oversleep,
Show her what she means to me,
Catch up on all the things I’ve always missed,
Just start livin’, that’s the next thing on my list.
Under an old brass paperweight
Is my list of things to do today.
Songwriters: Rand Bishop
My List lyrics © International Music Network, Song Paddock Music, Tunes Of Ws, Songwriters
Paddock Music, Song Of Ws
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