Jennifer Nettles Teams Up with Bon Jovi On ‘Do What You Can’
Nettles and Bon Jovi first teamed up in 2005 for "Who Says You Can't Go Home."
Jennifer Nettles and Jon Bon Jovi recently announced via Facebook that they will be collaborating on a song called “Do What You Can,” out this Friday, September 18. The song tells stories of resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic and was inspired by a photo posted by the rocker earlier this year. The photo shows the singer washing dishes at one of his JBJ Soul Kitchen restaurants with the caption, “If you can’t do what you do, do what you can.” That caption then turned into the song’s hook, and the band released their solo version of the song and a music video this summer. However, Bon Jovi says he later realized Nettles would be a welcome addition to the tune.
“When it was finished, I was thinking of you because I thought back to the days when we did ‘Who Says You Can’t Go Home,’” Bon Jovi said on the livestream, referring to their 2005 duet.
“So I thought, with this song, what a way to broaden its appeal, to have you on it again,” he continues. “We were magic the first time.”
When he originally wrote the tune, Bon Jovi took to social media to have fans tell their own stories, which led to the relatable nature of song. Nettles says this aspect of the song drew her to the project.
“The writing is so conversational, which, P.S., is perfect for country,” says Nettles. “Country music loves that because it just makes it accessible in a way that is just so easy to go right to the heart of the matter.”
In addition to the new version of the song, Nettles and Bon Jovi will also release a new music video.
“Not only am I releasing a duet with @BonJovi this Friday, we also have a brand-new video coming out, too,” Nettles wrote on Twitter. “Can’t wait for you to see it. I had way too much fun making this video and dancing on the rooftops in New York City. #DoWhatYouCan”
