In 1988, Downing finally made his solo debut, releasing the self-titled Will Downing. The album featured a new version of John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme." The track did not fair well on the R&B charts but it managed to reach #4 on the Dance charts. In the United Kingdom, "A Love Supreme" managed to reach #14 on the singles charts.
Downing has released many albums throughout his career, always on the brink of stardom but never quite making it. In 1989 he released Come Together As One and in '91, Dream Fulfilled. The latter featured the single "I Try" which reached #13 on the R&B charts, Downing's best performance to date.
1993 saw Downing's fourth album release with Love's the Place to Be. In 1995, he released Moods and in 1997, Invitation Only. Continuing his steady stream of releases, 1998 saw Pleasures of the Night, 2000 offered All the Man You Need and in 2002, Sensual Journey.
With so many albums under his belt, Downing never slows down, releasing Emotions in 2003, Christmas, Love and You in 2004 and Soul Symphony in 2005.
While Will Downing has never been a massive celebrity in the United States, he has seen reasonable success in the United Kingdom.
Grandma's Hands
Will Downing Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Grandma's hands, clapped in church on Sunday morning
Grandma's hands, played the tambourine so well
Grandma's hands, used to issue out a warning
She'd say, "Billy, don't you run so fast
Might fall on a piece of glass, might be snakes there in that grass"
Ooh, grandma
Grandma's hands, soothed the local unwed mothers
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
Ooh, take it up
Ohh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Grandma's hands, used to hand me piece of candy
Grandma's hands, picked me up each time I fell, ohh
Grandma's hands, boy, they really came in handy
She'd say, "Matty, don' 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 my grandma, my grandma, huh
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I really miss you [Incomprehensible], really miss you [Incomprehensible]
Makes me wanna mourn sometimes
Ooh, grandma, yeah yeah yeah
Real special lady, she was
She used to pick me up when I was down
She changed my whole life around
And I missed my, missed my grandma, my grandma, my grandma's hands
And I missed my grandma, my grandma, my grandma's hands
The song Grandma's Hands by Will Downing is a heartfelt tribute to the singer's grandmother. The song starts by reminiscing about Grandma's hands clapping in church on Sunday morning and playing the tambourine so well. The next verse talks about how Grandma would issue warnings to her grandson about running too fast, reminding him of the potential dangers like broken glass and snakes. The chorus repeats the refrain, "Grandma's hands," emphasizing the importance of her hands in the singer's life.
The second verse talks about how Grandma's hands would soothe the local unwed mothers and how they would sometimes ache and swell. She would lift her face and remind the singer to put himself in Jesus' hands, showing her religious beliefs and how they impacted her life. The third verse talks about how Grandma's hands would hand out candy and pick the singer up whenever he fell. She would also defend him and remind others not to be too harsh on him. The song ends on an emotional note, with the singer expressing the pain of not having his Grandma anymore and longing to see her again in heaven.
Overall, Grandma's Hands is a touching tribute to the love and impact of a grandmother's hands on the life of her grandson. It emphasizes the importance of family, religion, and the small gestures that can make a big difference in someone's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Grandma's hands, clapped in church on Sunday morning
Grandma was religious and attended church regularly, where she actively participated by clapping during the service
Grandma's hands, played the tambourine so well
Grandma had musical abilities, specifically with playing the tambourine during church services
Grandma's hands, used to issue out a warning
Grandma would give advice or cautionary statements to her loved ones to avoid harm or danger
She'd say, "Billy, don't you run so fast
Might fall on a piece of glass, might be snakes there in that grass"
Grandma's hands
Grandma would warn Billy to be careful and not run too fast, in case there was any potential danger like broken glass or snakes in the grass
Grandma's hands, soothed the local unwed mothers
Grandma was a source of comfort and support for unwed mothers in the community
Grandma's hands, used to ache sometimes and swell
Grandma experienced physical pain and swelling in her hands
Grandma's hands, used to lift her face and tell her
When feeling overwhelmed, Grandma would look up and pray to God for strength and guidance
She'd say, "Baby, Grandma understands
That you really love that man, put yourself in Jesus' hands"
Grandma's hands
Grandma empathized with her loved ones, and encouraged them to put their faith and trust in God during difficult situations
Grandma's hands, used to hand me piece of candy
Grandma was generous and loving, often giving her grandchildren treats like candy
Grandma's hands, picked me up each time I fell, ohh
Grandma was always there to help and support her grandchildren, especially when they fell down and needed to be lifted back up
Grandma's hands, boy, they really came in handy
Grandma was always willing to help and her hands were very useful
She'd say, "Matty, don' 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
Grandma would speak up for her loved ones and defend them against unfair punishment, but she has since passed away
If I get to heaven I'll look for my grandma, my grandma, huh
The singer hopes to be reunited with his beloved grandmother in heaven
I really miss you [Incomprehensible], really miss you [Incomprehensible]
The singer deeply misses his grandmother
She used to pick me up when I was down
She changed my whole life around
And I missed my, missed my grandma, my grandma, my grandma's hands
And I missed my grandma, my grandma, my grandma's hands
Grandma was a positive influence in the singer's life and helped him when he was feeling low, and he misses her and her comforting presence
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bill Withers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind