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“You Could Hear Her Tearing Up Over The Phone”: Kane Brown Recalls the Moment He Told His Nana He’d Written “When You Forget” for His Grandpa
Kane Brown has never shied away from emotional honesty in his music, but few songs in his catalog are as deeply personal as “When You Forget.” The track, released as part of his Different Man album, was written as a tribute to his grandfather, who was battling Alzheimer’s disease. In a recent interview, Brown opened up about the moment he told his grandmother—his “Nana”—that he had written the song, recalling a phone call filled with raw emotion.
According to Brown, the inspiration for “When You Forget” came from watching the slow, heartbreaking progression of his grandfather’s illness. “It’s one thing to hear about Alzheimer’s,” he said, “but it’s another thing to watch someone you love slowly lose pieces of themselves.” The song explores that painful reality, while also offering a promise: that even if memories fade, love remains.
The most emotional moment, however, came not in the writing studio, but on the phone with his Nana. Brown recalled calling her to explain why the song existed and who it was for. “I didn’t even get through the whole explanation,” he said. “You could hear her tearing up over the phone.” Her reaction confirmed what he already felt—that the song wasn’t just personal to him, but to everyone living with the disease alongside a loved one.
Brown has often credited his grandparents as a stabilizing force in his life, especially during his childhood. Writing “When You Forget” was his way of honoring that bond and coping with the helplessness that comes from watching family suffer. Unlike many of his radio hits, the song avoids flashy production, instead relying on restrained vocals and intimate lyrics to carry its message.
Fans quickly connected with the track, many sharing their own stories of parents, grandparents, and spouses affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia. Brown has said that reading those messages was both heartbreaking and comforting, reinforcing why he chose to release such a vulnerable song.
For Kane Brown, “When You Forget” is more than a tribute—it’s a reminder that memory may fail, but love does not. And for his Nana, that tearful phone call became proof that even in loss, something meaningful can still be created.