Grandma's Hands

Recorded for Bill Withers' 1971 debut album Just as I Am, Grandma's Hands was written and sung by Withers and produced by Booker T. Jones. The album sessions brought together musicians including Stephen Stills on guitar, Jim Keltner on drums and Chris Ethridge on bass, with Jones overseeing the arrangements. Released as a single on Sussex Records in October 1971, Grandma's Hands was a tribute to Withers' grandmother and the comfort, guidance and protection she provided during his childhood. Following the success of Ain't No Sunshine, the song reached number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 18 on the Billboard R&B singles chart, establishing Withers as a distinctive storyteller. Grandma's Hands became one of Bill Withers' most enduring compositions, celebrated for its intimate storytelling and understated vocal performance. Its opening vocal passage was prominently sampled in Blackstreet's 1996 hit No Diggity, introducing the recording to a new generation and extending its influence across contemporary R&B and hip-hop.