8 Comments

i think you might enjoy this article by a fellow i follow about Mr. Withers' greatest impact: https://scottbradlee.substack.com/p/aint-no-sunshine-my-essay-for-the/comments

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From the first time I heard this song to the present, it became an underlining of the importance of "being there" for friends who found themselves in troubled times. I have always found profound meaning in it. Someone said to me, recently, "What I appreciate about you is that you show up when we need you." What greater compliment could a person get? The truth in "Lean On Me" can't be overemphasized. And to discover through W&S that Withers is a man of integrity in a cut-throat business is an unexpected little gem today. Thanks so much for featuring him and his music.

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I thought of “Grandma’s Hands” the other day! I was looking at my own hands, spotted, blotchy, and arthritic; an examination of conscience ensued. Thank you Debra!

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Thank you for introducing us to Bill Withers, his story and his songs. I liked "Lean on Me", then dug a bit further and found "Aint no sunshine" and "Grandma's hands". Bill's delivery is heartfelt, the backing group gentle and harmonious, the delivery feels true. Short and sweet.

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Thank-you ~ I love this song. Thanks for highlighting it for us this day.

God bless you both!🎵🎶

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Katey, I'm glad! This song really does touch the heart, doesn't it? I'm always so pleased to find out that singer and musicians I like are also really fine human beings.

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Good reading. It is a good song though I never thought about it. It’s one of those pop/soul numbers easily taken for granted as part of the landscape with nary a thought for the singer or writer. Once again, Word and Song keeps its readers on our toes!

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I do try, Amy! I agree about you assessment: in the middle of things when there still was good contemporary popular music, there were some fine if a little low-key talents. I listened to Bill Withers' song "Grandma's Hands" while I was looking into this week's song, and I recalled it for the first time in many years. I said to Tony that I could hear the gospel influence in it -- and then I read that Withers sang in the choir as a boy. Bingo!

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