Line Out Music & the City at Night

  |  

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Song / Zzzzzzzzzzzzz What Are the Best Songs About Grandmothers?

Posted by on Wed, Sep 19, 2012 at 2:23 PM

I’m no expert on the venerable art of songs about grandmothers, but in my music listening experiences since the ’60s, I’ve encountered at least two stone classics of this ilk: Bo Diddley’s “Look at Grandma” and Moby Grape’s “Hey Grandma” (co-written by Tacoma's own Jerry Miller). The former’s an instantly infectious soul-funk mood-elevator with fabulous female backing vocals. It’s from Bo’s mid-career 1972 classic, Where It All Began, which mystifyingly doesn’t get nearly the respect that The Black Gladiator does. Moby Grape's "Hey Grandma" is an instantly infectious country-rock barn-burner. I have been known to put it on repeat for an hour and then run personal-best times in the 10 kilometers with the song stuck in my head.

I’m having a hard time deciding which tune about grandmothers is best. Maybe we can definitively answer this question with a poll, which, in keeping with Stranger tradition, is totally scientific and legally binding.

(By the way, you should check out Swedish '60s psych-rock band Baby Grandmothers.)

 

Comments (14) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment
Grant Brissey, Emeritus 1
Duh.
Posted by Grant Brissey, Emeritus http://www.grantropolis.com/ on September 19, 2012 at 2:37 PM
2
Not repetitive enough, GB.
Posted by Dave Segal on September 19, 2012 at 3:01 PM
3
Points for best song title: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9lzL14S9…

(Thanks for mentioning Baby Grandmothers ;))
Posted by TippiTime on September 19, 2012 at 3:05 PM
Emily Nokes 4
@1 - Yes!
@2 - Gramma take me hooowwwme, gramma take me hooowwwme, gramma take me hooowwwme, gramma take me hooowwwme, gramma take me hooowwwme, gramma take me hooowwwme...
Posted by Emily Nokes on September 19, 2012 at 3:50 PM
platypusrex256 5
Nivana - Sliver ?
Posted by platypusrex256 http://platypusrex256.blogspot.com on September 19, 2012 at 4:26 PM
6
Kool & The Gang's "Funky Granny"
Posted by Chalupa on September 19, 2012 at 4:38 PM
reverend dr dj riz 7
i didn't know that songs about grandma was a thing.. but this one sprang to mind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W-xtHYXE…
Posted by reverend dr dj riz on September 19, 2012 at 5:14 PM
reverend dr dj riz 8
@7
durrr... i didn't see the poll until after i wrote this.. sorry..
Posted by reverend dr dj riz on September 19, 2012 at 5:16 PM
Resident Clinton 9
My first thought was the Beastie Boys' "Boomin Granny".
Posted by Resident Clinton on September 19, 2012 at 8:05 PM
lowlytootle 10
The most disturbing song ever about grandmas: Joy and Dave's "Let's Go See Gran'ma" produced by Joe Meek.
Posted by lowlytootle http://hollowearthradio.org/programs/134 on September 19, 2012 at 10:15 PM
lowlytootle 11
Oops, here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UffG0Eq…
Posted by lowlytootle http://hollowearthradio.org/programs/134 on September 19, 2012 at 10:16 PM
12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGLzSoV-6…
Posted by Wall of Sound on September 20, 2012 at 11:04 AM
13
grandma got run over by a reindeer.
Posted by cb on September 20, 2012 at 5:08 PM
14
Howard Tate's "Look at Granny Run, Run"
Posted by JoJoPotato on September 21, 2012 at 1:28 AM

Add a comment

 

Want great deals and a chance to win tickets to the best shows in Seattle? Join The Stranger Presents email list!


All contents © Index Newspapers, LLC
1535 11th Ave (Third Floor), Seattle, WA 98122
Contact Info | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Takedown Policy