Bill Withers’ 1971 song “Grandma’s Hands”, from his debut album Just As I Am, is presented as an affectionate tribute to his grandmother, Grandma Galloway. Rather than the heavily confessional style common among some singer-songwriters of the period, Withers uses everyday memories to show her wisdom, generosity and protective love, making the song a lasting portrait of a family elder.

The article notes that Withers came to music relatively late, having held steady work before pursuing songwriting near the age of 30, and favoured spare guitar parts supported by collaborators including Booker T. Jones, Donald “Duck” Dunn and Stephen Stills. Its lyrics recall his grandmother’s church music, cautions to him as a child, support for an unmarried mother and defence of him from punishment; the final admission that she is no longer alive underscores the value of appreciating loved ones while they are still present.