Ella Langley Performed One Toby Keith Classic That Had Fans Reaching For the Tissues

Country music lost one of its biggest legends when Toby Keith passed away on February 5, 2024.

Two years later, the pain still cuts deep for fans who grew up with his music.

And Ella Langley performed one Toby Keith classic that had fans reaching for the tissues.

Rising star honors country legend on death anniversary

Ella Langley picked the perfect song to honor Toby Keith.

The 26-year-old country star chose Keith's 1993 heartbreaker "Wish I Didn't Know Now" for her tribute.

She recorded the cover for Apple Music's Nashville Sessions: Toby Keith Covered project last September, making her version available across all streaming platforms when fans demanded it.

The real emotional punch came during her Orlando show on January 29, just days before the second anniversary of Keith's death.

Langley delivered a raw, stripped-down performance that captured every ounce of regret and sadness Keith packed into the original.

"Wish I Didn't Know Now" tells the story of someone looking back on a relationship and wishing they could return to the innocence before everything fell apart.

Keith released it as the fourth single from his debut album in 1993.

The song climbed to number two on Billboard's country charts.

Country music fans on social media praised Langley's version for bringing out the heartbreak Keith originally conveyed.

"You absolutely made that song like it's brand new again, Love It!" one fan wrote.

"Thank you for honoring Toby in such a beautiful way," another added. "Your version of his song is amazing."

"Ella added so much passion in this cover," one person noted. "Beautifully done."

"Love how she brought out the sadness that was always hidden in Toby's version," another fan observed.

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Toby Keith's death left massive void in country music

Keith died at age 62 after a two-year battle with stomach cancer.

He announced his diagnosis in June 2022, revealing he'd been undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery since fall 2021.

The Oklahoma native built a three-decade career that produced 32 number-one hits.

Keith's family posted a tribute on social media marking the first anniversary of his death.

"We can't believe it's been a year since the world lost Toby," the statement read.

"We have a hole in our heart and our lives."

Country music's biggest names have paid tribute to Keith over the past two years.

NBC aired "Toby Keith: American Icon" in August 2024, featuring performances from Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Jelly Roll, and Lainey Wilson.

Keith was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in March 2024, just hours after his death.

Langley continues breakout year with new music

The Toby Keith tribute shows Langley's range beyond her chart-topping hits.

Her collaboration with Riley Green on "You Look Like You Love Me" became one of 2024's biggest country songs.

The duet topped Billboard's Country Airplay chart in December 2024 and earned her three CMA Awards in November 2025.

Langley swept the single of the year, song of the year, and music video of the year categories at the CMAs.

That made "You Look Like You Love Me" the first song ever to win all three awards at the same ceremony.

Her latest single "Choosin' Texas" jumped to number five on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 2026.

The song spent six weeks at number one on the Hot Country Songs chart.

Billboard named it the number-one country song of 2025.

Langley co-wrote "Choosin' Texas" with Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick, and JoyBeth Taylor.

During her Orlando show, Langley also gave fans the live debut of "Dandelion," her upcoming single.

The Alabama native is working on her second album, which she says will be "unlike anything I've put out."

Her first album Hungover dropped in August 2024 and launched her into country music's top tier.

Langley's tribute to Toby Keith shows she understands country music's deep roots.

Young artists covering legends like Keith keeps their music alive for new generations while honoring the giants who built the genre.

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Sources:

• Jennifer Pernicano, "Ella Langley Honors Toby Keith With Live Performance Of 'Wish I Didn't Know Now'," Country Now, February 5, 2026.
• Billboard, "Toby Keith Hits Get Modern Covers by Megan Moroney, Tucker Wetmore, More," July 1, 2025.
• ABC News, "Toby Keith honored 1 year after his death: 'A toast to a life well lived'," February 6, 2025.
• Parade, "Toby Keith's Last Televised Performance Resurfaces 2 Years After His Death," February 5, 2026.
• Billboard, "Ella Langley's 'Choosin' Texas" Hits the Top 5: Five Burning Questions," January 10, 2026.
• Whiskey Riff, "Ella Langley Scores First-Career #1 On Billboard's Hot Country Songs Chart With 'Choosin' Texas'," December 2, 2025.