The world lost a great singer and star on Sunday afternoon when we learned of the passing of Joe Diffie. At just 61-years-old, Diffie is gone too soon and leaves behind family, friends, and fans that will miss him. Our thoughts are with them.
Our thoughts have also drifted back to the summer of 2013 when we saw Joe Diffie live and in-person on the main stage at Boots & Hearts. It was a sunny afternoon, Diffie was a star, he played his hits, he played George Jones' classic He Stopped Loving Her Today, and he even broke into the chorus of Jason Aldean's 1994.
By the time he ended his set that afternoon with John Deere Green, I was a happy guy and felt like all of those sing-alongs I'd had with him through the radio over the years were leading to that moment. When we heard the news of Joe Diffie's death after complications from COVID-19, Trish's first reply to me was that she was glad we got to see him when we did. I'm glad too.
Related: Boots & Hearts 2013 Spotlight - Country Music Legend, Joe DiffieJoe Diffie released two Platinum albums, two more that were certified Gold (in Canada and the US), got to #1 on the country charts five times and landed in the Top 10 another twelve times on top of that. He won an ACM and a Grammy. He was influential to artists that came after him and he was beloved by country fans. He put smiles on faces. He was respected for what he did in and out of music. We're sad that he is gone.
A lot of tributes and tweets have rolled in since the news broke, this tweet is from the Grand Ole Opry. We love the quote and echo the sentiment shared by the Opry as well.
"Even though I've been doing this for a long time, it's like I want to pinch myself still. It's an awful neat deal to be able to live out your dream." - Joe Diffie
Joe, thank you for all of the music and light you've given us. Thank you for letting us be part of your dream. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/QY0wzZAm08
- Grand Ole Opry (@opry) March 29, 2020
If you loved Joe Diffie's music, hit play on any or all of the songs on this list and sing along. There are upbeat songs that you'll never forget, slowed down ballads that are filled with feelings, and a lot of memories.
Note: I went back and forth about including Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox (If I Die) on this list. At first, it didn't feel like the time or place. But the more I thought about it, the more I remembered how big the song was, hitting #3 in the US and #2 in Canada, and how many times it must have been sung and danced to in the last 27 years. It belongs on the list, so it's here.
Joe Diffie Top 10
John Deere Green
Pickup Man
So Help Me Girl
Third Rock From The Sun
Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox (If I Die)
Bigger Than The Beatles
Ships That Don't Come In
If The Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)
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