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Songs for Grandma: the ones she knows and the ones about her

26 songs · Updated 27 September 2026

Grandmas tend to have a song for everything, and many of them go back further than we do. The best way to reach her is often through the music she knew at twenty.

This list has songs written about grandmothers, the standards of her youth, and a few that the grandkids can sing to her. Play them at a birthday lunch, during a visit, or on the drive to see her.

Songs about grandmothers

Written with a grandma in mind.

  1. 1

    Grandma’s Hands — Bill Withers, 1971

    A short, loving portrait of his own grandmother. Play it first.

  2. 2

    Grandma’s Feather Bed — John Denver, 1974

    Jolly and full of farmhouse memories. The grandkids will like it too.

  3. 3

    Supermarket Flowers — Ed Sheeran, 2017

    Written for his grandmother. Better for a memorial than a party.

  4. 4

    Grandpa (Tell Me ’Bout the Good Old Days) — The Judds, 1986

    About grandpa, but it is really about listening to the older generation. Good for both.

  5. 5

    Coat of Many Colors — Dolly Parton, 1971

    A mother’s love in hard times, which many grandmothers lived through.

The songs she danced to

Standards from her younger years. Put these on and watch her sing along.

  1. 6

    Moon River — Andy Williams, 1962

    Slow and dreamy. Ask her if she remembers where she first heard it.

  2. 7

    Unforgettable — Nat King Cole, 1951

    The title says it. A lovely one to slow-dance to at her birthday.

  3. 8

    Fly Me to the Moon — Frank Sinatra, 1964

    Swinging and cheerful. A good one for a grandson to dance with her to.

  4. 9

    Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) — Doris Day, 1956

    Probably sang it to her own children. She will know every word.

  5. 10

    Crazy — Patsy Cline, 1961

    For a grandma who loves a good country ballad.

  6. 11

    La Vie en rose — Édith Piaf, 1947

    Romantic and old-fashioned in the best way. Good at an anniversary lunch.

  7. 12

    Dream a Little Dream of Me — The Mamas & the Papas, 1968

    Gentle and a little sleepy. Nice for a quiet visit.

  8. 13

    It Had to Be You — Harry Connick Jr., 1989

    An old song in a newer voice, so both generations enjoy it.

  9. 14

    When I’m Sixty-Four — The Beatles, 1967

    Cheeky and fun for a 64th, or any birthday past it.

  10. 15

    Sweet Caroline — Neil Diamond, 1969

    The whole family can join in on the chorus.

Or have one written about her

She has heard a lot of songs, but probably not one with her name and her stories in it. TunedForYou writes a personal song from what the family tells us: the kitchen, the sayings, the summers at her house. Here is one we wrote for a pair of grandparents.

One we made, to hear what it sounds like

Stories You Tell
3:19
birthdayfolkduet

Stories You Tell

For Grandma & Grandpa From All Your Grandkids

"The stories that you tell us Of times long ago The wisdom that you share with us Helps our spirits grow..."

Write a song for Grandma

You tell us about them, we write and sing it, and you hear a preview before you decide.

Sweet songs from the grandkids

Simple songs children can sing to her, or play while they hug her.

  1. 16

    You Are My Sunshine — Johnny Cash

    The song she may have sung to you. Let the little ones sing it back.

  2. 17

    What a Wonderful World — Louis Armstrong, 1967

    Kind and calm. Great for a video of the grandkids for her birthday.

  3. 18

    Three Little Birds — Bob Marley & The Wailers, 1977

    Easy for small voices and cheerful for everyone.

  4. 19

    Somewhere Over the Rainbow — Israel Kamakawiwoʻole

    Ukulele and a soft voice. Works under a grandkids photo slideshow.

  5. 20

    Stand by Me — Ben E. King, 1961

    Short, steady, and something everyone at the table knows.

  6. 21

    In My Life — The Beatles, 1965

    For the grown-up grandchild looking back on the summers at her house.

For the tender moments

For a milestone birthday toast or a visit when you want to say more than usual.

  1. 22

    Forever Young — Rod Stewart, 1988

    A blessing set to music. Good for a 90th.

  2. 23

    The Rose — Bette Midler, 1979

    For a grandma who loves her flowers and a good cry.

  3. 24

    Wind Beneath My Wings — Bette Midler, 1988

    For the grandma who raised you or helped to.

  4. 25

    You Raise Me Up — Josh Groban, 2003

    Slow and rising. Good under a family toast.

  5. 26

    Because You Loved Me — Celine Dion, 1996

    A thank-you song that grandmothers tend to love.

How to choose

Ask what she danced to

Most grandmothers have a song from a dance hall, a wedding or the radio in their twenties. Ask her, then play it at her next birthday. It is often the best gift of the day.

Mind the volume and the speaker

Hearing changes with age. A small speaker close to her beats a loud one across the room, and songs with a clear voice and little background noise are easier to follow.

Let the grandkids perform

A wobbly version of "You Are My Sunshine" from the youngest grandchild, filmed on a phone, will get more replays than any recording.

Make her a playlist she can use

If she is not on Spotify, put ten songs on a CD or a simple speaker with one button. Label it with the grandkids’ names.

Questions people ask

What is a good song to dedicate to a grandmother?

"Grandma’s Hands" by Bill Withers is the classic. For something she already knows, try a standard from her youth like "Moon River" or "Unforgettable".

What song should I play for my grandma’s birthday?

Something she can sing along to, like "Que Sera, Sera" or "Sweet Caroline", then a slower one like "What a Wonderful World" for a toast or photos.

What songs can grandkids sing to their grandma?

"You Are My Sunshine" is easy for small children. "Three Little Birds" and "What a Wonderful World" are simple and cheerful too.

What song works for a grandma’s 90th birthday slideshow?

Slow songs with a gentle pace: "Forever Young", "What a Wonderful World" or "In My Life". Plan about five seconds per photo.

Can I get a song written about my grandma?

Yes. You tell us her stories and TunedForYou writes and produces a song about her that the family can play, download and share.

More song lists

Looking for a song written just for them? Custom songs for grandparents · Birthday songs · Anniversary songs

Or have one written about her

Their name, your stories, the things only the two of you would get. Written and sung for them.

Write a song for Grandma