The Family Member Who Inspired “Dependin’ On You”

April 1, 2025

There was a time in my life when everything felt uncertain, but one person always seemed to have a light shining around them. That person was my grandmother, who everyone in our family affectionately called Nana. She was a tiny woman with a huge heart, and she had an unwavering belief in me, especially during the tough times. It was her spirit that inspired one of my most beloved songs, “Dependin’ on You,” a melody that carries the weight of her love and the lessons she taught me.

Nana grew up during the Great Depression. She often shared stories of how her family had to make do with very little, but they found joy in the smallest things—a shared meal or a song sung around a flickering candle. Her resilience shaped her into the woman I knew, full of grit and warmth. I remember the summer afternoons spent in her little garden, surrounded by the scent of roses and fresh basil. As we picked vegetables, she would hum old tunes, and in those moments, she taught me that music could be a lifeline, a way to express emotions that words sometimes failed to capture.

When I was thirteen, just starting to find my voice as a musician, Nana fell ill. The diagnosis shook our family—she was battling cancer, a fight that seemed so unfair to someone who had always been the glue holding us together. During her treatment, we would sit together, and she would listen to my songs, her eyes sparkling with pride despite the pain she was enduring. “You have a gift,” she would say, “and music can heal. Don’t stop sharing your heart.” Those words echoed in my mind, guiding me through the hardest days when my own doubt threatened to silence me.

As her battle progressed, I found myself pouring my emotions into my music. The pain of watching someone you love struggle is immense, but Nana’s strength inspired me to write about hope and reliance on each other. “Dependin’ on You” became not just a song, but a heartfelt tribute to her and the bond we shared. I wrote about how we lean on our loved ones, how their strength becomes our own, and how even in the darkest moments, there is a flicker of light if we look closely enough.

After she passed away, I performed the song for the first time in front of an audience. I expected tears, but instead, I found a sense of peace. The crowd connected with every note, and I could feel Nana’s spirit with me, encouraging me to keep sharing my music. That moment marked a turning point in my career; people began to notice my work, and suddenly I was no longer just a struggling artist but someone who had a story to tell, someone who could inspire others.

Today, every time I perform “Dependin’ on You,” I feel a surge of love and gratitude for my Nana. Through my music, I hope to pass on her lessons of resilience and the importance of community. She taught me that it’s okay to lean on others and that love can carry us through the toughest times. As I look out into the audience, I see faces lighting up, and I know that her spirit lives on not just in me, but in all the hearts that resonate with the music born from our bond.