by
Updated
Updated
Updated
Complementing this month’s theme of celebrating the role of men as fathers, here’s a cute yet sobering song from Rodney Atkins.
Song Synopsis
A father and his four-year-old son were happily driving through town. The red light caught on them so dad has to forcefully step on the brakes. The sudden halt caused the son’s fries to fly on air and his juice spilled over his pants. That made the boy drop the “S” bomb. Not expecting his son to swear, dad queried where his son learned the word. The son’s response came both as a dagger and a wake-up call to him.
“I’ve been watching you, Dad…”
Once they reached home, dad went to the barn. Disturbed with the realization that his little boy closely watches everything he does, he prayed for God’s help. Bedtime came and dad’s present to tuck his son to bed. What came next surprised him. The son knelt before his bed, folded his little hands, and talked to God. Curious, dad asked where he’d learned to pray. And the boy’s response? He snuck earlier that day into that barn and saw his dad praying.
Indeed! A father’s influence, be it good or evil, is indispensable.
Rodney Atkins – Watching You (Official)
Songwriting, Inspiration, and Reception
As seen from the “Watching You” music video, Atkins drew inspiration from life experience. While there’s joy in fatherhood, there’s also a demand to stay responsible. Both he and his son Elijah appeared on the clip and in 2008, it bagged the ACM Fan’s Choice for Video of the Year. From its release in September 2006 transitioning to 2007, this Rodney Atkins‘ tune also topped the charts at the end of the year.
Even songwriter Brian Gene White, who along with Steve Dean helped Atkins with the song, says that “Watching You“ is his favorite. He said that it “Watching You” defined the way he parents his child.
Lyrics Snippet
“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.”
Thank you for your continual support in sharing our passion to promote quality music online. For similar readings, click one of the tags below.
Tags
children, Fathers, Rodney Atkins, sons