Toby Keith’s Lost Song “End of the Night” Unearthed After a Decade

Throughout his remarkable career, Toby Keith—affectionately known as “Big Dog Daddy”—delivered some of country music’s most iconic hits, including “American Soldier,” “I Love This Bar,” and “Beer for My Horses.” His bold personality and unmistakable voice helped define modern country for decades. Sadly, in 2024, Keith passed away following a courageous battle with stomach cancer. Yet even in his absence, his music continues to echo in the hearts of fans worldwide — and now, a long-lost song is giving them one more chance to hear his voice.

A Lost Demo Resurfaces

Over ten years ago, Toby Keith stepped into the studio with David Lee Murphy and Bobby Pinson to write a new song titled “End of the Night.” The trio loved what they created — but the demo mysteriously went missing and was thought to be lost forever.

That changed this week when Keith’s team surprised fans with an announcement:

“This lost demo has been found… you can hear Toby’s original demo of ‘End of the Night.’”

They posted a short snippet of the track on social media, sparking an emotional reaction from fans who were thrilled to hear Toby’s unmistakable voice again.

 

Fans Celebrate the Return of Toby’s Voice

The post quickly gained more than 16,000 likes, with fans flooding the comments in gratitude and nostalgia.

“This is a precious gift from God. We want to hear the whole thing — this is just too good,” one fan wrote.

Another added,

“I love this trend of finding old demos of real artists. No AI, just something genuine. What we all miss is new Toby Keith music.”

For lifelong listeners, it felt like a piece of Toby had returned — raw, real, and timeless.

Remembering the Writing Session

Co-writer Bobby Pinson shared his excitement about rediscovering the track, comparing it to finding a hidden treasure.

“When they asked me about this project and said, ‘What do we have?’ it was like Christmas,” he said. “It was like finding a dollar in your pocket.”

He reflected fondly on what it was like to collaborate with Keith:

“It’s always a Toby Keith song when he’s done. He just had that thing — that sound, that attitude — nobody else could touch it.”

 

Keeping Toby’s Legacy Alive

To honor Keith’s legacy, rising country artist ERNEST recorded his own version of “End of the Night” on Apple Music. Following his 2024 album Nashville, Tennessee, ERNEST said he wanted to pay tribute to one of the greats who inspired him.

Through this rediscovered demo — and the artists keeping his music alive — Toby Keith’s voice, humor, and heart continue to resonate with fans old and new.

✨ Listen to the snippet of “End of the Night” and celebrate one more timeless gift from a country legend who will never be forgotten.