Toby Keith & Blake Shelton's Voices Are Country Magic Together on 2018 Live Duet

Toby Keith sadly passed away February 6, 2024 from stomach cancer. And the country legend was honored by one of his peers, The Voice's Blake Shelton, via a touching written message on Instagram.

''Even though I knew about your battle these last few months I still never imagined this day," Shelton wrote. "Anyone who knew you knows what I mean. You were the toughest man I ever met. Thank you, brother, for being a friend, a hero and an inspiration. There will never be another Toby Keith." 

This isn't the only time Shelton's shown love and appreciation for Keith. The two performed one of Keith's classics, "Should've Been a Cowboy," at the 2018 ACM Awards, and their voices were country magic together. 

Watch the performance here. 

Blake Shelton at "CMT Giants: Alabama" held on January 17, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee; Toby Keith poses in the press room at the American Country Awards 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 5, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Getty Images

About "Should've Been a Cowboy" by Toby Keith

"Should've Been a Cowboy" was the debut single from Keith, release in 1993 off his first album, which was self-titled. The track was an absolute smash, reaching the number-one position on the Billboard U.S. Hot Country Songs chart. 

"Should've Been a Cowboy" by Toby Keith lyrics

I bet you've never heard ol' Marshal Dillon say
Miss Kitty, have you ever thought of runnin' away?
Settlin' down, would you marry me
If I asked you twice and begged you, pretty please?
She'd have said, "Yes", in a New York minute
They never tied the knot, his heart wasn't in it
He just stole a kiss as he rode away
He never hung his hat up at Kitty's place

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I should've been a cowboy
I should've learned to rope and ride
Wearin' my six-shooter, ridin' my pony on a cattle drive
Stealin' the young girls' hearts
Just like Gene and Roy
Singin' those campfire songs
Woah, I should've been a cowboy

I might of had a sidekick with a funny name
Runnin' wild through the hills chasin' Jesse James
Ending up on the brink of danger
Ridin' shotgun for the Texas Rangers
Go west young man, haven't you been told?
California's full of whiskey, women and gold
Sleepin' out all night beneath the desert stars
With a dream in my eye and a prayer in my heart

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I should've been a cowboy
I should've learned to rope and ride
Wearin' my six-shooter, ridin' my pony on a cattle drive
Stealin' the young girls' hearts
Just like Gene and Roy
Singin' those campfire songs
Woah, I should've been a cowboy

I should've been a cowboy
I should've learned to rope and ride
I'd be wearin' my six-shooter, ridin' my pony on a cattle drive
Stealin' the young girls' hearts
Just like Gene and Roy
Singin' those campfire songs
Woah, I should've been a cowboy

Yeah, I should've been a cowboy
I should've been a cowboy