11 Country Songs About Grandpa

Country music is one of the most popular genres of music today. Part of the appeal is the subject matter discussed in each song. Several classic themes call back to a simpler time in life. One of those topics is a songwriter's love for their grandpa.

Some of the fondest memories of early childhood for a lot of people, especially young boys, revolve around that special relationship and bond they share with their grandpa. This article will explore some of the most memorable country songs about grandpa.

“Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days)” by The Judds

Song year: 1986

The Judds were a legendary mother/daughter musical act that was centered around the love of family. This classic tune comes to mind whenever The Judds are discussed. It evokes memories not only of grandpa but of a simpler time in life as well.

‘Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days)’ was released in 1986 and won a Grammy award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group. It also won American Music Awards for Favorite Country Single and Favorite Country Video. The song was the sixth number one hit for the mother-daughter duo.

“He Walked on Water” by Randy Travis

Song year: 1990

This Randy Travis classic was written by Allen Shamblin. While the song was technically about the love Shamblin had for his great-grandpa, the idea behind the song can be related to any grandpa out there.

‘He Walked on Water’ was released in 1990 and was nominated for a Country Music Association award for Music Video of the Year. The song reached number two on the Billboard Country chart. Travis re-recorded the song in 2012 as a duet with Kenny Chesney.

“In Color” by Jamey Johnson

Song year: 2008

Jamey Johnson co-wrote this song with James Otto and Lee Thomas Miller. This tear-jerker depicts a child asking his grandpa about some old black and white photos. The grandpa goes on to tell his grandson about his life and how the pictures are beautiful but don’t tell the whole story.

‘In Color’ was released in 2008 and won Song of the Year honors from both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music Awards. The song peaked at number nine and was Johnson’s first Top 10 hit.

“If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” by Justin Moore

Song year: 2006

Justin Moore recorded this song written by Dallas Davidson, Rob Hatch, and Brett Jones in 2011, but was first recorded by Rhett Akins in 2006. The song talks about the people in your life that have passed on, particularly the grandpa and other older family members.

The original version by Akins did not chart. Moore released the cover version in 2011 and reached number one. It was Moore’s second number one single and third top 10 hit.

“The Grandpa That I Know” by Patty Loveless

Song year: 1992

Another re-make about grandpas is a song written by Shawn Camp and Tim Mensy that was first released in 1992 by Mensy. Patty Loveless released it in 2003 and brought new life to a song about a grandpa’s funeral and looking back on the life he led and what he left behind.

Though the song did not reach the charts, it remains a fan favorite of Loveless.

“The Grandpa Song” by Cody Johnson

Song year: 2011

Another grandpa song that looks back to a simpler time, ‘The Grandpa Song’ has Johnson wishing his grandpa was still around so that he could see what the world looks like these days. While there are some unfortunate aspects of life discussed, his grandpa would ultimately be happy with how his grandson turned out and the blessings he has in his life.

Another grandpa song that didn’t chart, ‘The Grandpa Song’ is still one of the most requested at Johnson’s concerts and one that he continues to enjoy playing.

“Grandpa Told Me So” by Kenny Chesney

Song year: 1995

Written by Mark Alan Springer and James Dean Hicks, Kenny Chesney recorded this song in 1995. The topic is a familiar one, with a young boy sitting at his grandpa’s side as he departs some words of wisdom.

‘Grandpa Told Me So’ was the third and final single released from ‘All I Need To Know’ in 1995 and peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Country charts.

“I Wish Grandpa’s Never Died” by Riley Green

Song year: 2019

A newer entry on the list is this 2019 hit by Riley Green. The song was co-written by Green and his grandfathers are both listed as co-writers as well. The gist of the song is a wish list of how he wants the world to be. Whether it’s kids growing up too fast or the girl that got away, or of course his wish that grandpas lived forever.

‘I Wish Grandpa’s Never Died’ reached number 12 on the Billboard Country charts and reached 66 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The video earned a CMT Music Award nomination for Breakthrough Video of the Year.

“I’m My Grandpa” by Willie Nelson

Song year: 1947

This humorous song is a Willie Nelson cover of a 1947 novelty song by Lonzo and Oscar, written by Dwight Latham and Moe Jaffe. The song is based on a story by Mark Twain in which a man, through an unlikely series of events becomes stepfather to his stepmother. Definitely a different twist in the country music grandpa song category.

Nelson’s version of the song was released in 2001 and brought new life to the satirical favorite almost sixty years after the original.

“When I Get Where I’m Going” by Brad Paisley (featuring Dolly Parton)

Song year: 2005

‘When I Get Where I’m Going’ was written by George Teren and Rivers Rutherford and recorded by Paisley in 2005. Special guest singer Dolly Parton provides harmony vocals on the track. Paisley supposedly chose the song in memory of his grandfather and the video for the song includes footage of his grandpa, Warren L. Jarvis from home movies.

The song reached number one on the Billboard Country charts and was Parton’s 25th number-one hit. It was Paisley’s fifth time at the top. It won multiple awards, including the Academy Country Music Award for Video of the Year and Music Event of the Year. It also won Musical Event of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards.

“Love Like Crazy” by Lee Brice

This chart-topping hit by Lee Brice was written by Tim James and Doug Johnson before being released in 2009. The inspirational song follows an older man advising his grandson about not being afraid to take chances and going for his dreams. Even though others may call you “crazy”, it’s worth it in the end to go for it.

Brice chose the song as a tribute to his grandma and grandpa who were married for more than fifty years.

The song made it to number one and broke a Billboard Hot Country Songs record for the longest chart run in history. It also garnered two nominations for Song and Single of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Best Country Songs About Grandpa, Final Thoughts

In this list, you’ve lots of country songs about grandpa: sad songs, happy songs, songs about grandpas giving advice to the grandchild. If you want to remember your grandpa or honor him, turn to this list and you’ll find something perfect.