The world is in need of a major pick me up. So two superstars reunited to create an ode to everyone struggling. Luckily we have freedom of expression and artistic ways to express our emotions.
Jon Bon Jovi is one artist whose songs have rang true for decades, and now he brings his signature style of down-home, working-class songwriting to encourage in these times. We can all be thankful for this uplifting message.
In September, Jon Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles released a topical version of Bon Jovi’s new song “Do What You Can.” This marks the first duet these two worked on since their huge hit song, “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” fourteen years ago.
And the song is a shout-out to the men, women, and children who have been affected by the pandemic. And that’s every last one of us. The song brings a message of hope and a call to action, saying “When you can’t do, Do what you can.”
Jon Bon Jovi is “an American singer-songwriter, record producer, philanthropist, and actor. Bon Jovi is best known as the founder and frontman of the Grammy Award-winning rock band Bon Jovi, which was formed in 1983.”
Bon Jovi reworked his new song by expressing his feelings during these times.
Jennifer Nettles is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. She is the lead vocalist of the duo Sugarland.
“As I finished the mix and did the video [for the album version], I said, ‘Boy, this song would have such crossover potential.’ Jennifer was my first choice, and she said yes,” Jon Bon Jovi says.
Nettles and Bon Jovi are filmed as they explore the city of New York. They visit known sites around the city and give a hand to help where help is needed.
Bon Jovi walks through a seemingly quiet area of Manhattan. He walks through Times Square, past closed down shops, and through streets with little to no foot traffic. It’s a stark juxtaposition of a city that is always on the move and prides itself as the city that never sleeps.
The song was originally on Bon Jovi’s newest album release titled “2020.” At the outset of the pandemic, Bon Jovi had an idea. He tasked his fans with writing their own version of the song after the opening lyrics and chorus.
Bon Jovi created a new version with topical lyrics about makeshift hospitals, frontline workers, and social distancing.
Bon Jovi hoped the song would be a crossover hit as he enlisted some of Nashville’s greatest to “Countrify” the song. And he reunited with his crossover hit duet partner, Jennifer Nettles. They had a huge hit when they released “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” back in 2006.
Nettles jumped at the chance to join in.
The video is “Dedicated to the everyday heroes fighting to rise above this pandemic.” And the lyrics are topical and emotional. An uplifting call to “Do What You Can” to help and spread love.
“Although I’ll keep my social distance/ What this world needs is a hug/ Until we find the vaccination/ There’s no substitute for love/ So love yourself and love your family/ Love your neighbor and your friend/ Ain’t it time we loved a stranger/ But just a friend you ain’t met yet,”
The video rises to a crescendo ending with Bon Jovi on the deck of the USS Intrepid on the Hudson River and Nettles dances atop a high-rise building in Manhattan.
They deliver the final lyrics with a burst of passion.
The lyrics ask us all to rise up and do what we can, especially when you can’t do what you do.
The song has a perfect uplifting sentiment for the world.
Watch their Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles’ encouraging video below. Their voices are perfect together!
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