Knight started to record solo material due to legal issues that forced her and The Pips to record separately. Her solo debut "Miss Gladys Knight" was released in 1978 followed by "Gladys Knight" on Colombia Records. Knight recorded the title track for the James Bond movie "Licence To Kill." It became a Top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at #6. Knight's third solo album, "Good Woman" was released in 1991 on MCA Records (now Geffen Records). The album quickly climbed the charts to #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album features the lead single, "Men" (#2 R&B). Her fourth album, "Just For You" followed in 1995. The album went Gold. Knight most recent album is her critically acclaimed ninth studio album, "Before Me", released in 2006.
Grandma
Gladys Knight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(She was always giving us a warning)
Might be snakes there in that grass
(She was looking outโฆ)
Grandma's Hands
(I remember them well.)
Grandma's hands
Grandma's hands Played the tambourine so well
Grandma's hands Used to issue out a warning
She'd say "Gladys don't you run so fast!
Might fall on a piece of glass!
Might be snakes there in that grass!"
Grandma's hands
Grandma's hands Soothed a local unwed mother
Grandma's hands Used to ache sometimes and swell
Grandma's hands Used to lift her face and tell her
She'd say "Baby, Grandma understands.
That you really love that man.
Put yourself in Jesus' hands."
Grandma's hands
Couldn't wait till Sunday morning (oh baby don't you run so fast)
Cooking up that fried chicken,
Smelling up the whole house
"Gladys don't you run so fast!
Might fall on a piece of glass!
Might be snakes there in that grass!"
Grandma's hands
Ain't nothing like grandma's hands
Family is a gift of god,
With this song I'd like to pay harness
To one of it's members
Over the years her importance has been diminished
Her image tarnished, but to me she'll always be a rare jewel
I've heard her called by many loving nicknames
Nana, Mimi, Mamaw, Big Mama, Poppi
But unlike millions of others, I simply call her Grandma
Ain't nothing like grandma's hands
Let me tell you this
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 "Baby, 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 forโฆGrandma's Hands
Ain't nothing like grandma's hands
Used to hand me some candy
Grandma's hands Picked me up each time I fell
Grandma's hands Boy, they really came in handy
She'd say "Baby, don't you whip that boy!
What you want to whip him for?
He didn't drop no apple core!"
Grandma's Hands (x2)
The song "Grandma's Hands" by Gladys Knight is an homage to the singer's grandmother and the important role she played in her life. The lyrics describe some of the things that Grandma used to do and say, such as warning the children not to run too fast or reminding them that there might be snakes in the grass. The part about Grandma's hands clapping in church and playing the tambourine suggests that she was a religious woman who instilled values of faith and devotion in her grandchildren. The lyrics also mention how Grandma's hands were always there to comfort and support those in need, such as a local unwed mother or a child who had fallen down. The line "But I don't have Grandma anymore" is a poignant reminder that life is fleeting and we should appreciate our loved ones while we still have them.
Overall, "Grandma's Hands" is a heartfelt tribute to the influence that grandparents can have on their grandchildren, shaping their values and memories for a lifetime. The song captures the warmth, love and wisdom that a grandmother can provide, and reminds us of the importance of cherishing those special relationships that sustain us.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby don't you run so fast
She was always giving us a warning.
Might be snakes there in that grass
She was looking out for us and warning us of potential dangers.
Grandma's Hands
I remember them well.
Grandma's hands Clapped in church on Sunday morning
Her hands were always active, contributing to the community and praising the Lord.
Grandma's hands Played the tambourine so well
She was skilled and talented, using her hands to create beautiful music.
Grandma's hands Used to issue out a warning
She was always aware of the potential dangers around us and warned us to be cautious.
She'd say "Gladys don't you run so fast! Might fall on a piece of glass! Might be snakes there in that grass!"
She was protective and caring, always looking out for us and warning us of potential hazards.
Grandma's hands Soothed a local unwed mother
She was compassionate and empathetic, using her hands to provide comfort and support to those in need.
Grandma's hands Used to ache sometimes and swell
She worked hard with her hands, and even though they sometimes hurt, she never stopped caring for others.
Grandma's hands Used to lift her face and tell her
She was always looking up to the Lord and relying on her faith to guide her and provide her with the strength she needed.
She'd say "Baby, Grandma understands. That you really love that man. Put yourself in Jesus' hands."
She was wise and understanding, offering advice and guidance to those in need and reminding them to turn to their faith for support.
Couldn't wait till Sunday morning (oh baby don't you run so fast) Cooking up that fried chicken, Smelling up the whole house
She was a master in the kitchen, using her hands to create delicious meals for her family and loved ones.
Ain't nothing like grandma's hands
There is nothing quite as special or memorable as the love and care that a grandma can provide.
Family is a gift of god, With this song I'd like to pay harness To one of it's members Over the years her importance has been diminished Her image tarnished, but to me she'll always be a rare jewel I've heard her called by many loving nicknames Nana, Mimi, Mamaw, Big Mama, Poppi But unlike millions of others, I simply call her Grandma
This song is a tribute to the importance of family, and the invaluable role that a grandmother can play in the lives of her loved ones.
Let me tell you this
I have something important to share.
Grandma's hands Used to hand me piece of candy
She was always generous and thoughtful, using her hands to give us little treats and surprises.
Grandma's hands Picked me up each time I fell
She was always there to offer us support and help us back up when we stumbled or fell.
Grandma's hands Boy, they really came in handy
Her hands were always useful and helpful, and she used them to care for and support her loved ones in countless ways.
She'd say "Baby, don't you whip that boy ! What you want to spank him for? He didn't drop no apple core !"
She was always advocating for kindness and understanding, and would encourage us to treat each other with love and respect.
But I don't have Grandma anymore If I get to heaven I'll look forโฆGrandma's Hands
Even though she is no longer with us, her love and care still remain in our memories, and we cherish the time we had with her.
Grandma's Hands
Her hands were a symbol of her love, care, and support, and we will always remember the special role she played in our lives.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bill Withers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sipho Mabena
Only gladys can cover a song with soul , amazing got me tears wow
Tim Elkin
There are some other great cover of this Ben Oulce is all soul with mad vocals but I'm with you brother. I love that Gospal and soul. I'm a white boy who finds himself in all black churches just so I can cry and sing. Singing is exercising the soul as I'm sure you know.
Sharon Powell
Grandma would slip you a piece of peppermint candy in church and sometimes you would get a butterscotch and you thought you were in heaven. Everything about this song reminds me of my old, country, farming, uneducated but full of life's wisdom grandma. When I heard Bill Withers first sing this song I thought he was singing about my grandma.
William Mitchell
I always sat next to my great aunt in church. She always knew what I needed, even when I didn't. It was like she could read my mind. Whatever I needed was always in her purse, like magic.
NADINE bENT
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Shirley Mills
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Taliha Thomas
I love the song it's really good
Marine Corps Warrior
And I thought he was always singing about my grandma...when I first heard this song as a kid I was like, "how he know my granny"โบ those of us that had grand mothers like the one he's singing about were truly bless.
TheSweet80s
Sing it Gladys!!! This brought tears to my eyes thinking about my Grandmother. Cause like Gladys said, "Ain't nothin like Grandma's hands." ๐ฅ๐ถ๐ค
VirgoThruAndThru
Gladyโs singing is so effortless. Definately a gift from above!