Bill Withers vs. Anthony David | Head 2 Head 🗣️

In the 22^nd edition of Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️ (2023), Bill Withers and Anthony David contend for the best rendition of “Grandma’s Hands.”

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️, we pit at least two musicians singing the same song together, comparing their performances.  Then, after much deliberation, we deliver a verdict of which performance was the best, or at least, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  In the 22nd edition of head 🗣️2 head 🗣️ (2023), 🎙 Bill Withers and 🎙 Anthony David contend for the best rendition of 🎵 “Grandma’s Hands”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Bill Withers, “Grandma’s Hands”

💿 Just As I Am • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 1971

“Grandma’s hands clapped in church on Sunday morning / Grandma’s hands played a tambourine so well,” 🎙 Bill Withers sings in the first verse of his classic, 🎵 “Grandma’s Hands”. “Grandma’s Hands” appears as the third track on the legendary musician’s 1971 album, 💿 Just As I Am.  Notably, “Grandma’s Hands” follows the biggest hit from the album, 🎵 “Ain’t No Sunshine”, which won a Grammy for Best Rhythm & Blues Song.  No, “Grandma’s Hands” isn’t the biggest commercial hit of Wither’s career,  but it still impacted the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at no. 42.  More importantly, it’s a thoughtfully penned ode to Grandma!  

“Grandma’s hands sooth the local unwed mother / Grandma’s hands used to ache sometimes and swell.” “Grandma’s hands” speaks to the importance of a grandmother in many people’s life – not merely her grandchildren.  She plays a community maternal role having experienced so much life.  In the second verse, over the soulful groove and acoustic guitar-fueled backdrop, Withers continues, “Grandma’s hands used to lift her face and tell her / She’d say, ‘Baby, Grandma understands / That you really loved that man / Put yourself in Jesus’ hands.’” One of the most notable lyrics Wither sings arrives at the end of the third verse: “But I don’t have Grandma anymore / If I get to heaven I’ll look for / Grandma’s hands.” Withers’ ode to his grandmother – her caring, nurturing ways and her prudence – is incredibly touching.  “Grandma’s Hands” keeps things short, but ultimately, this 70s soul joint is incredibly sweet.    

Appears in 🔻:

• Bill Withers, “Grandma’s Hands”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 120 (2022)

2. Anthony David, “Grandma’s Hands”

💿 Hello Like Before: The Songs of Bill Withers • 🏷 Shanachie Ent. Corp. • 🗓 2018 

🎙 Anthony David recollects grandma on 🎵 “Grandma’s Hands”, the opener from his 2018, 🎙 Bill Withers covers album, 💿 Hello Like Before: The Songs of Bill Withers.  Obviously, David isn’t explicitly remembering his own grandma – this is a cover after all.  Still, the original by the late, great Withers paints a portrait of a maternal figure familiar to Black Americans.  Fittingly, David does change lyrics specific to Withers to fit his own take: “She’d say, ‘Tony, don’t you run so fast / Might fall on a piece of glass / Might be snakes there in that grass / Grandma’s hands.” 

Executing the touching lyrics marvelously, Anthony David’s vocals are incredibly soulful. David is a brilliant musician – one who has often experienced the plight of the underrated.  Initially, “Grandma’s Hands” commences with simple, brilliant guitar accompaniment.  The sound, notably, is a bit more stripped compared to the original, which also relies on guitar. By 50 seconds in, “Grandma’s Hands” gets the contemporary R&B / neo-soul treatment.  This sounds refreshing in the late 2010s and well into the 2020s, honestly. Among the best musical touches: the organ, once the full-fledged production enters the mix. Given grandma’s faith, it is only fitting that organ brings gospel vibes in the mix.  Furthermore, if you didn’t already know, organ makes EVERYTHING better.  🎵 “Grandma’s Hands” = fantastic cover by Anthony David.   

via GIPHY

Appears in 🔻:

• Anthony David, “Grandma’s Hands”: Covers No. 22 (2023)

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

So, who did it better – 🎙 Bill Withers or 🎙 Anthony David?  Both renditions are excellent, PERIOD.  Anthony David does a nice job of adding some contemporary spice without compromising the sanctity of the original.  Still, Bill Withers was an icon and the original version of 🎵 “Grandma’s Hands” continues to stand tall. 

via GIPHY

Bill Withers vs. Anthony David: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 22 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Shanachie Ent. Corp., Sony Music Entertainment; Antoni Shkraba via Pexels, andresilva5, talha khalil, Valentin Tikhonov via Pixabay; Nick Wang on Unsplash]