Expert: Bong Santos - 3/14/2010

Question
Hey, my grandmother's 80th birthday celebration is coming up and my cousin (who is female) and I are going to dedicate a song to her. We are going to perform in a hall. It is going to be an acoustic song, with me on the guitar and her singing. We're finding it hard to choose a song that would have lyrics applicable to my grandmother, who is sort of the head of my huge family and has taken great care of all her children and grandchildren over the years. I realize their aren't any songs directly about grandmothers, but any song talking about someone special, who we love, who we respect, look up to, appreciate would do.

The only suggestion I've got so far is In My Life by the Beatles, which the chorus works.

What I'm asking for is any nice acoustic song (from any time) that could be sang to a gradmother? We don't want it too old though, like nothing from 50's for instance. Just because its my grandmother, the song doesnt have to sound like a real oldie.

Both me and my cousin are 20 years old by the way.

Thanks a lot.

Answer
Dear Ravi,

Sorry if it took me some time to answer your request. I hope it's not yet too late.

True enough, it's very hard to find a song that is directly sang for a grandmother. The song IN MY LIFE by the BEATLES is a good song indeed. I am thinking of some other love songs that can be considered a song for a Granny.

One can consider HERO by MARIAH CAREY and WIND BENEATH MY WINGS by BETTE MIDLER. These songs may not be acoustic in origin but can be given a new arrangement to have that acoustic touch.

Also worthy to consider is SHE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN by BILLY JOEL and the feminist anthem I AM WOMAN by HELEN REDDY.

Maraming salamat po!!

BONG M. SANTOS
Manila, Philippines