"Grandma's Hands" is a song written by Bill Withers about his grandmother. It was included on his first album Just as I Am (1971), and was released as a single, reaching number 18 on the Best Selling Soul Singles chart and 42 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1] In Canada, it reached No. 37 on the RPM magazine charts. The song was produced by Booker T. Jones and also featured drummer Al Jackson Jr. and bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn from Booker T. & the M.G.'s. "Grandma's Hands" was recently re-imagined in picture book form[2], published by Bill Withers' wife Marcia, daughter Kori[3], and Freedom Three Publishing.
| "Grandma's Hands" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Bill Withers | ||||
| from the album Just as I Am | ||||
| B-side | "Sweet Wanomi" | |||
| Released | 1971 | |||
| Genre | Soul | |||
| Length | 2:00 | |||
| Label | Sussex | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Bill Withers | |||
| Producer(s) | Booker T. Jones | |||
| Bill Withers singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Official audio | ||||
| "Grandma's Hands" on YouTube | ||||
Lyrics
editWithers' maternal grandfather, Gracchus Monroe Galloway (1855–1937), had been born into slavery. As a child, Withers attended church with his maternal grandmother, Lula (1868–1953). He later said: "It was spontaneous singing, there was nothing programmed. People got up and sang and everybody would join in. It was my favorite kind of singing."[4]
A theme of the song is the caring force of Grandma's hands, as expressed in the last verse:
- "Grandma's hands used to hand me piece of candy.
- Grandma's hands picked me up each time I fell.
- Grandma's hands, boy they really came in handy
- She'd say, "Mattie don't you whip that boy.
- What you want to spank him for?
- He didn't drop no apple core,"
- But I don't have Grandma anymore,
- If I get to heaven I'll look for
- Grandma's hands.
- Um, mm, mm."
Cover versions
editThe song has since been covered by many other artists, including Keb' Mo', Al Jarreau, Kristy Lee, Meg Mac, Merry Clayton, Livingston Taylor, the Staple Singers, Gladys Knight, Tony Orlando, Barbra Streisand, Gregory Porter, Will Downing, Take 6, Josh Garrels,[5] Marti Pellow, Simply Red, Starsailor, Gil Scott-Heron, Everlast, Jeff Lorber, Paddy Casey in Today FM's Even Better Than the Real Thing, Willie Nelson, Ron Kenoly, and Russ Taff. It is also sampled for the hook of Blackstreet's "No Diggity".[6], Ace Of Cups
References
edit- ^ Bill Withers – Billboard Singles on allmusic.com
- ^ "Grandma's Hands – the Book – Based on Bill Withers' 1971 album, Just As I Am". grandmashandsbook.com. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Marcia Withers and Kori Withers – Grandma's Hands – the Book". grandmashandsbook.com. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ Rock and Pop Features (2010-08-10). "Bill Withers interview". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
- ^ "Mason Jar Music : Decoration Day, Volume 2 | Free Music Download". Noisetrade.com. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
- ^ "Grandma's Hands on WhoSampled". WhoSampled. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
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