Bonnie Raitt Posts Emotional Response Following Grammy Wins - Noise11.com
Bonnie Raitt photo by Ros O'Gorman

Bonnie Raitt photo by Ros O'Gorman

Bonnie Raitt Posts Emotional Response Following Grammy Wins

by Paul Cashmere on February 11, 2023

in News

Bonnie Raitt has posted an emotional response after winning three Grammy Awards this week including Song of the Year for ‘Just Like That’.

Bonnie wrote:

I wanted to respond to the incredible outpouring of messages that have come in since my song, “Just Like That,” won the Recording Academy / GRAMMYs award last Sunday night for Song of the Year.

I’ve been so deeply moved, often to tears, reading the personal stories of hundreds of you, some of whom have had no familiarity with me or my music before I won that GRAMMY, and were curious why this song had won. After listening, many of you wrote that you were moved to tears, even inspired to share your own heart-wrenching stories of either having your loved one’s life saved by an organ donation, or having decided at the height of the terrible shock and loss of losing a beloved, that you would donate their organs so that others could live.

These stories and your responses to my song have moved me as much as anything I can remember and I want to thank you so much for this gift. So many messages from nurses and doctors in the field involved with transplants as well as people who were tragically not able to get an organ in time to save their loved one’s life. There are messages from the family members of people who wanted their organs to be donated, but are now living with the guilt when that wish, for whatever reason, was not able to be fulfilled.. These stories run the gamut and I’m just blown open by the vulnerability and power of each of them.

I am so honored that my song and the original news story that inspired it, are eliciting such a deep emotional response for so many. The story behind the song is this: A few years ago I saw a segment on the evening TV news where they followed a woman who was meeting the man who had received her son’s heart for the first time. It was very emotional, but when he invited her to put her head on his chest and listen to her son’s heart, I just lost it. I knew after it stayed with me for weeks, that I wanted to write my own story, inspired so much by John Prine’s music and his beautiful “Angel From Montgomery,” which I’ve sung every show since hearing it in the early 70’s. I wrote about a fictional woman, Olivia Zand, torn by grief and guilt at the loss of her young son, who finds redemption and grace through the loving act of another.

May the song bring about even more awareness and motivation for more of us to support organ donation registration and infrastructure — removing obstacles that have hindered helping thousands connecting to facilitate this miraculous gift of life and help bring comfort to those suffering such tragic loss. I’ve included a link below to a wonderful Op-Ed by Dr. Maureen McBride, the interim CEO of United Network for Organ Sharing in yesterday’s USA TODAY, in which she lays out why these programs need more support and the ways we can all help.

Thank you all so much again for your incredible responses and sharing your beautiful stories. More than any award, fame or commercial success, knowing what my song means to so many may be the greatest gift of all.

Blessings to you,

Bonnie

Bonnie Raitt won Grammy Awards for Song of the Year ‘Just Like That’, Americana Roots Song ‘Just Like That’ and best Americana Performance ‘Made Up Mind’.

Stay updated with your free Noise11.com daily music news email alert. Subscribe to Noise11 Music News here

Be the first to see NOISE.com’s newest interviews and special features on YOUTUBE and updated regularly. See things first SUBSCRIBE here: Noise11 on YouTube SUBSCRIBE

Noise11.com

Follow Noise11 on Social Media

Noise11 on Instagram

You’ll discover music news first following Noise11 on Twitter

Comment on the news of the day, join Noise11 on Facebook

Related Posts

Elton John Live At The Rainbow
Elton John 1977 Live From the Rainbow Theatre To Be Released

Elton John is about to release ‘Live From The Rainbow Theatre’ with 1977 live performances of the first of 233 shows he was about to do with percussionist Ray Cooper, but it is disappointing the full concert is not being released.

4 hours ago
Pentagram
Pentagram Australian and New Zealand Tour Placed In Hiatus

HardLine Media has put the Australian tour for controversial metal band Pentagram on hiatus.

1 day ago
Leo Sayer performs at Hamer Hall on Friday 24 June 2016.
Leo Sayer Expands Australian Tour

Leo Sayer has expanded his Australian tour with eight new shows added taking Leo through until the end of October.

1 day ago
Fleetwood Mac photo by Ros O'Gorman
Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham Appear To Have Reunited

Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham have clearly made up and today each posted cryptic alluding to some sort of reunion.

2 days ago
Steve Miller Band perform at the Deni Blues and Roots Festival. Photo by Ros O'Gorman
Steve Miller Band Cancel Remainder of 2025 Tour Dates

Six weeks after announcing a 2025 headlining tour, the Steve Miller Band has cancelled all dates.

3 days ago
Genesis 1975
Genesis ‘The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway’ Gets a 50th Anniversary Reboot

Genesis’ sixth album ‘The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway’ will be given a 50th anniversary makeover.

3 days ago
Dave Cousin Facebook photo
Strawbs Founder, Singer, Songwriter Dave Cousins Dies Aged 85

Dave Cousins of Strawbs has died at age 85.

5 days ago