your Place In This World may be Temporary, but you’ll be a Warrior even when you’re Gray

Hello, Monday peeps! Here we are, nearly the middle of November – I don’t have to tell you that time is truly flying by way too fast. But since it is Monday, you know that Monday means music! This week is a freebie week, so grab your favorite tune(s) and come dance with us, won’t you? 

Let’s start with this fresh collaboration from the song’s original artist with a brother duo – when you hear the song, you’ll no doubt recognize it, but you’ve never heard it quite like this. Inspired by the brothers’ film, “Unsung Hero“, the legendary artist of the original song reached out to them to team up with them on this version. The brothers said to the artist:

“The way that you have not only led creatively, but the way you continue to partner with your wife and raise a great family…is really quite captivating. To release to the world this tribute track in a season to that era, to that song itself, and even have you on it is just – it’s pretty captivating.”

Get ready for goosebumps; here’s the legendary Michael W. Smith and for KING + COUNTRY with “Place In This World”:

Next is a song that caught my ear when we were doing the theme about songs opposite of what we normally listen to…heh! This American rapper collaborated with this American singer, songwriter, and record producer for this new song, which is an ode to the rapper’s daughter and also features archival audio of her as a baby.

Over a piano-driven instrumental, he says the song is intended for his daughter to listen to when he dies and remember his love for her before telling her to look after her siblings and uncle after his death. He also admits the song is “the hardest thing I ever wrote.” 

The music video alternates between old late-1990s to early-2000s home video footage of the rapper and his daughter and new video footage from more recent years when his now adult daughter tells him about her pregnancy. Critics have said that this song is the rapper “at his best” and a “genuinely moving ode to his daughter,” which “proves [he] can say something that matters when he wants to.”

Give a listen to Eminem featuring Skylar Grey with “Temporary”:

Next is a brand new song from this favorite artist, who shared footage from her breathtaking wedding day. The video debuted on Friday (November 8) and features a look at the couple’s wedding in Scotland on July 13, including her two children (ages 8 and 5) from her previous marriage and the newlywed couple’s son, who turns one this month. The artist wrote this song for her husband back in September—she said she…:

“…knew I wanted to write (Russell) a wedding song. I wanted to, in a way, say thank you, but also, ‘I will always be there by your side fighting for us.’”

Despite her painful past, the artist has never given up on finding lasting love. The song helped her realize that she was no longer “in crisis mode anymore.”

“I’ve been in crisis mode for so many years, and now I get to be happy and have love in my life and it’s a beautiful place to be.”

After getting engaged in May 2023, the couple’s summer wedding featured numerous celebratory nods to her new husband’s Scottish heritage, including bagpipes, kilts, haggis pie, ceilidh (traditional Scottish music and dancing), and customary Highland Games, which, according to him, included cable toss and stone-throwing the day before the wedding. The morning of, however, the artist surprised him with the song.

“It was really sweet. He got teary-eyed and he wiped away a single masculine tear, is what he likes to call it. But it meant a lot to him, and he has a past too. We all have a story, and I think the fact that he’s allowed love into his life again, too, it’s repaving broken roads, and he definitely felt that. So, he loved it.”

Without further ado, here’s Jana Kramer with “Warrior”:

Last but certainly not least is a new song from this favorite artist who said about his latest album this song is from:

“A lot of times, I’m writing for myself, but these days, I’m thinking about a specific type of person. This album is for those who are overly optimistic and sincere yet have been through some terrible experiences. I wanted to create a space where we can feel a little bit more deeply.”

He and his wife share the stage with this song with a deeply personal performance. The acoustic duet not only showcases their harmonious collaboration but also reveals the depth of their partnership both on and off the stage. The artist’s wife provided both vocals and production credits on the track, adding a layer of intimacy and authenticity that resonates with everyone.

Get ready for more goosebumps; here’s Andy Grammer and his wife, Aija Grammer, with “Gray”:

Edited to add: It has come to my attention that the video of Andy and Aija isn’t working (not working on YouTube, either – I sure hope they fix it; the song is even better seeing those two singing it to each other). I found this lyric version – since this song is just way too good for you not to hear!

That’s a wrap for this week – have a great Monday! See you on the dance floor!

Now onto the particulars of Monday’s Music Move’s Me:

I have the supreme honor and privilege of being a co-host with the inimitable Xmas Dolly and our musical cohort, the awesome Cathy from Curious as a CAThy, and Alana of Ramblin’ with AM!

Want to join in the fun? It’s easy – just find a tune that rocks your boat, post it and link up – don’t forget to grab Xmas Dolly…er, um, I mean her button…over at her place here. Check out Xmas Dolly’s sidebar for the random themes we sport each week – and you can always ask for a specific theme of music you like, too. Check out the other music lovahs and let’s jam!