Introduction
In 2004, at the 38th Annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, country music superstar Toby Keith invited his 19-year-old daughter Krystal to join him on stage for a captivating live rendition of “Mockingbird.” The song, originally a 1963 soul hit by Inez and Charlie Foxx, is a playful, call-and-response adaptation of the traditional lullaby “Hush, Little Baby.” Over the decades, “Mockingbird” has been covered by a diverse range of artists, including Aretha Franklin, Carly Simon, and James Taylor.
Keith’s duet of “Mockingbird” featured prominently on his Greatest Hits 2 album, released in November 2004. This compilation included two new studio tracks, one being this parent-daughter version, which later peaked at No. 27 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart . The performance was a career milestone for Krystal, marking her debut on one of country music’s most prestigious stages—a moment critics described as “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” .
During the CMA performance, Toby and Krystal’s vocal interplay—alternating verses and weaving harmonies—demonstrated their remarkable chemistry and revealed Krystal’s promising vocal talent . Reflecting on the experience later, Krystal shared she felt “incredibly secure” and “should have been terrified, but I wasn’t” . After the show, Toby’s proud gesture—kissing Krystal’s forehead and introducing her to the audience—not only highlighted the pride of a father but cemented the performance as a memorable highlight in both their careers .
Beyond its entertainment value, this rendition symbolizes the passing of musical legacy from one generation to another. The recording captures a special moment: a family bond immortalized through song, resonating with both country music fans and parent–child relationships everywhere.
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Lyrics
Mock (yeah) -ing (yeah)
Bird (yeah?) Yeah (oh, yeah)
Mockin’ bird, now
Everybody have you heard? (Have you heard)
He’s gonna buy me a mockingbird (I’m gonna buy her a mockingbird)
And if that mockingbird don’t sing (if that mockingbird don’t sing)
He’s gonna buy me a diamond ring (I’m gonna buy her a diamond ring)
And if that diamond ring don’t shine (if that diamond ring won’t shine)
Oh, sure, let’s break this heart of mine (sure this is gonna break this heart of mine)
And that’s why (yes, indeed oh)
I keep on tellin’ everybody, sayin’ (oh, yes, indeed oh)
Yea-yeah (whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa-oh-ohh) ohh-oh
hear me now, understand
(He’s gonna find me some peace of mind) I’m gonna find her some peace of mind
(And if that peace of mind won’t stay) if that peace of mind won’t stay
(I’m gonna find myself a better way) I’m gonna find myself a better way
(And if that better way ain’t so) if that better way ain’t so
(I-I-I ride with the tide and go with the flow)
(And that’s why) yes, indeed oh
(I keep on tellin’ in your ears, sayin’) oh, yes, indeed oh
Yea-yeah (whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa-oh-ohh) ohh-oh
Now move over, lemme show you how it’s done, baby
(Yeah, right, quit big leaguing me)
I said, hey, everybody have you heard? (Everybody, have you heard?)
She’s gonna buy me a mockingbird (he’s gonna buy me a mockingbird)
Yeah, if that mockingbird don’t sing (if that mockingbird don’t sing)
She’s gonna buy me a diamond ring (he’s gonna buy me a diamond ring)
And if that diamond ring won’t shine (if that diamond ain’t gonna shine)
It’ll surely break this heart of mine (it’ll surely break this heart of mine)
And that’s the reason why I keep on tellin’ everybody, sayin’
(Yea-yeah) whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa-oh-ohh (whoa-ohh-oh)
Oh, hear me now and understand (hear me now and understand)
She gonna find me some peace of mind (gonna find me some peace of mind)
Yeah, and if that peace of mind won’t stay (if that peace of mind don’t stay)
I’m just gonna get myself a better way (I’m gonna get myself a better way)
I might rise above, I might go below
Ride with the tide and go with the flow
And that’s why (that’s why) I keep on shoutin’ in your ears sayin’
Yeah, yeah, yeah, oh
No, no, no, no, no, whoa-whoa, baby (ohh-oh-ohh)
Mockingbird
Yeah (yeah) I might rise above, (I might go below) go below
Ride with the tide (let’s go with the flow)
And that’s why (that’s why) I’m shoutin’ in your ears sayin’
Yeah, yeah, yeah, oh