Rodney Atkins Releases “Watching You” Remake With His Son Who Inspired The Song
on May 23, 2025
Almost 20 years later, Atkins remakes his hit song “Watching You” with the son who inspired it.
Rodney Atkins shared that “being a father is everything to me.”
The “If You’re Going Through Hell” singer has three sons. The eldest, Elijah Atkins, is from his first marriage to Tammy Joe Atkins.
He is now married to Rose Falcon, and they have two sons together, Rider and Scout.
Atkins has been sharing storytelling country songs focused on family and love for over 30 years. In an interview with People magazine, he reflected on how fatherhood transformed his life and the music he writes. He shared that,
“Becoming a dad kinda changed my whole perspective of the artist I wanted to be. I kinda realized that my time is my family’s time, and the last thing I wanna do is waste their time.”
Rodney continued, “I don’t want to come out and be gone on the road away from them just singing bubblegum songs. I wanna sing life songs that can touch folks’ lives.”
It has been almost 20 years since Atkins released his hit “Watching You.”
The song tells a beautiful story inspired by Atkins’ son, who once said a “four-letter word” at school. His son inspired Atkins and wrote a song about how kids always watch and learn from their parents.
“He said I’ve been watching you dad, ain’t that cool
I’m your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
We got cowboy boots and camo pants
Yeah we’re just alike, hey ain’t we dad
I wanna do everything you do
So I’ve been watching you.”
Atkins shared the song’s origins in an Instagram post below.
Watch the original hit below.
RELATED: Rodney Atkins’ ‘Caught Up In The Country’ Video Is A Stunning, Cross-Country Ride
Rodney Atkins Releases “Watching You 2.0”
In an Instagram post, Atkins shared,
“After 20 years of singing it night after night…now I’m singing it with the kid I wrote it about. The stories y’all have shared about this song over the years have been incredible. And the love you’re already showing for this new version? It means the world.”
The father and son duo remade the song from 2006; this time, Rodney’s son Elijah sings his parts. The duet is a nostalgic recount of the song.
Tracking the movement of time as the once young boy brings the song to life in adulthood.
Listen to the new remake below.
