Hardy Calls on Lainey Wilson, Tracy Lawrence for Joe Diffie Cover

Hardy knew what he was doing when he picked Tracy Lawrence, Lainey Wilson and the Difftones to accompany him on a reinvented version of Joe Diffie's timeless hit, "Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die)."

This '90s classic oozes a honky-tonk, two-step beat — it's a tune that marries well with the grit and twang of modern country staple Wilson and veteran Lawrence.

The song carries deeply personal vocal stylings beneath the country superstars: The Difftones, comprised of members of Joe Diffie’s family, contribute their voices here — this is the only track on the project where you'll hear them.

What Is Joe Diffie's "Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die)" About?

“Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die)” was part of Diffie’s third album, titled Honky Tonk Attitude. It’s an upbeat song that tells the story of a man whose love for honky-tonks runs so deep, that’s where he wants to rest when he dies.

“Fill my boots up with sand, put a stiff drink in my hand / Just let my headstone be a neon sign," Diffie sings in the 1993 version.

Listen to Hardy's "Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox" With Tracy Lawrence, Lainey Wilson, the Difftones:

“Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die)” is part of Hardy’s Hixtape: Vol. 3: Difftape project, a full tribute to Diffie released Friday (March 29).

This is the singer’s third installment of his Hixtape series. On this record, fans can find a plethora of Diffie's hits, re-recorded by notable artists such as Reba McEntire, Toby Keith and Darius Rucker. Additionally, you’ll hear the late Diffie's vocals from a re-cut he did in 2006.

“As someone who had the profound privilege of performing alongside my father, it fills my heart with immense joy to witness his enduring legacy continued with the same passion and fervor that he embodied,” Joe Diffie’s son Parker tells MusicRow.

Diffie, a Grammy and CMA Award-winning singer and notable '90s hitmaker, died on March 29, 2020, due to complications of COVID-19.

Remembering 90s Country Artists We Lost Far Too Soon

The 1990s were one of country music's most impactful decades and marked the emergence of a new crop of artists who left a lasting impact on the genre. Take a look at the talented artists whose careers were tragically cut short after finding success during the genre's golden era.

Gallery Credit: Lorie Liebig