just Watching You 2.0, nothing Ordinary, so we will Survive and Drive!

Hello, my favorite Monday peeps! Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July – and weekend! Hard to fathom we’re already in the month of July! Crazy.

Since it is Monday, you know that Monday means music—Patrick would want us to carry on. This week is a freebie week, so grab your favorite tune(s) and come dance with us, won’t you?

Let’s start with a song that’s had a remake since its original debut back in 2006. It was a massive hit, topping both the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and the year-end Billboard Country Songs chart for 2006. The song, released just this past May, has been restyled as a duet with the artist’s son, who was featured in the original music video.

While the original version spawned an iconic music video that featured its muse—the artist’s firstborn—the sequel boasts the now 23-year-old “buckaroo” singing alongside his dad. Almost two decades later, the relatable innocence of the real-life parenting moment still rings true. The artist said:

“I wrote ‘[the previous song]’ after my son Eli’s preschool teacher told me he was singing ‘If You’re Going Through Hell’ in class. It hit me… I’ve got little eyes watching everything I do. That moment became the heart of the song. My son, Eli, grew up on this song. Now he’s singing on it, and nothing makes me more proud. ‘[This song]’ brings our worlds together—his way, my way, one message.”

The 23-year-old sings in a different style than his famous father does, and the artist says he wanted his son to follow his natural vocal inclinations during the recording process.

“I encouraged him to have his own voice. ‘Sing like you sing’. He pronounces words a little differently sometimes, similar to Post Malone, in that vein.”

Give a listen to Rodney and Elijah Atkins with “Watching You 2.0”:

Next up is a new song by this favorite American singer-songwriter that was released on February 7, 2025, as the lead single from his upcoming debut studio album. The song talks about the feeling of loving somebody “who makes life extraordinary”. It showcases the artist’s ability to translate his emotions “into lyrics and melodies” and creates yet another “catchy chorus” in the process.

The music video is cool – it’s of his and his wife’s actual wedding, so that makes it extra special.

Get ready for goosebumps, here’s Alex Warren with “Ordinary”:

Next up is a brand new song from this favorite artist – his first new single in two years! After an extended and well-documented hiatus, he makes a powerful and emotional return. The new song is a declaration of resilience wrapped in the pain of healing. The track addresses the artist’s experiences following his appearance at Glastonbury 2023, where the Pyramid Stage crowd supported him through an emotional performance. The song explores themes of mental health, self-doubt, and resilience.

Most nights, I fear that I’m not enough / I’ve had my share of Monday mornings when I can’t get up / But when hope is lost and I come undone / I swear to God, I’ll survive / If it kills me to / I’m gonna get up and try / If it’s the last thing I do

Released on June 27, 2025, exactly two years after he took a break for mental health, this track is more than just a song; it’s a statement. The artist’s return was a surprise, with no promotional hype or media frenzy, reflecting his continued step back from the spotlight. This unexpected release highlights the importance of the song’s message. It’s not just another emotional ballad; it symbolizes his struggle against the silence he has faced and his slow journey back into the light.

Get ready for more goosebumps, here’s the amazing Lewis Capaldi with “Survive”:

Last but certainly not least is a brand new song by this favorite English singer-songwriter, released on June 20th as the fifth single from the soundtrack album of the film F1. Billboard ranked this song as the best song of the album out of 17 tracks – pretty cool, no? Not to mention it’s a little bit of a chance of pace for this artist – he’s rocking out! 😁

The artist previously shared that this song came together quickly in the studio with John Mayer and Blake Slatkin, saying that “the song fell out of us” after he’d seen some of F1.

“Mayer just whacked an octave pedal on and went wild (to come up with the song’s riff).

Movies are my hobby and probably the only thing other than sport that I get, like, starstruck to be part of. Not just directors or actors or whatever, but being a part of the journey of a movie is so exciting for me.”

Get ready to dance, here’s Ed Sheeran with “Drive”:

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!