13 Songs Where GEORGIA is On the Mind

Reading Time: 15 min read

13 Songs Where GEORGIA is On the Mind features music courtesy of Gladys Knight & The Pips, Kane Brown, Ray Charles, Thomas Headon, and Vicki Lawrence.

Georgia! Yep, that’s what this playlist, 13 Songs Where GEORGIA is On the Mind is all about. Is Georgia always the Peach State. Yes, technically, but in some of the songs on this list, the musicians explore beyond the state itself – lookin’ at you, Brittney Howard! Anyways, 13 Songs Where GEORGIA is On the Mind features music courtesy of Gladys Knight & The Pips, Kane Brown, Ray Charles, Thomas Headon, and Vicki Lawrence among others. So, without further ado, let’s go down south via tunes to GA!

1. Thomas Headon, “Georgia”

🎵 “Georgia” • 🏷 Such a Good Company Limited • 📅 2022

“It’s not her name, but it’s still a state / I’ve never tried to act as straight / Than talking to her.” Thomas Headon delivered a surefire bop in 2022 with “Georgia.” Matters of the heart come into play on this song that also happens to reference the Peach state. Things begin superbly with a tone setting groove. Adding to the decadent ear candy is the great use of rhythmic acoustic guitar, and solid, expressive, and exuberant vocals by the London-based, Gen-Z singer/songwriter.

The handsome, talented artist penned “Georgia” himself, producing alongside Stephen Barnes. Headon sings about falling for this girl, who is in – wait for it – Georgia: “I always wonder if she’ll text me back / She’s almost giving me a heart attack / I’m falling for here / but how could I not?” The best section of the song is the fun, memorable chorus:

“She’s so sweet and she’s so good

But I won’t ever be in her neck of the woods

Down in Georgia (Down in Georgia)

Down in Georgia (Down in Georgia)

Yeah, she’s so nice and looks so good

I would see her only if I could

Down in Georgia (Down in Georgia)

Down in Georgia

Georgia is where I should be.”

Word.

2. Vicki Lawrence, “The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia”

💿 The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia • 🏷 GME LLC • 🗓 1973

“Well, he got mad, and he saw red / And Andy said, ‘Boy, don’t you lose your head / ‘Cause to tell the truth, I’ve been with her myself.’” Wow 😮! It gets much worse on “The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia”, the opening track from The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia, the 1973 debut album by Vicki Lawrence. Lawrence is best known for her acting and comedy, particularly on The Carol Burnett Show and Mama’s Family. That said, Lawrence reached the Billboard Hot 100 thrice. “The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia” was her sole top-40 hit. How well did that top-40 hit perform? It reached no. 1! Woo-hoo!

“That’s the night that the lights went out in Georgia,

That’s the night that they hung an innocent man, uh-huh

Well, don’t trust your soul to no backwoods, southern lawyer

Cause the judge in the town’s got bloodstains on his hands.”

A murder ballad, “The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia” was written by Grammy winner Bobby Russell (1940 – 1992), who was her husband for a brief time. Originally, the song, which Russell was reluctant about himself, was offered to Cher. Her husband at the time, Sonny Bono, turned down the song because he believed it would upset her southern fans. Lawrence would record this dark country tune with producer Snuff Garrett and make it a hit. So, why exactly did the lights go out in Georgia? Well, an innocent man – the man who is cheated on, coincidently – was hung, while the guilty party, his sister (whom Vicki portrays in the song), walks free. Ain’t that some shit? It’s a case of the wrong place at the wrong time and a suspect trial, etc.

“Well, they hung my brother before I could say

The tracks he saw while on his way

To Andy’s house and back that night were mine

And his cheating wife had never left town

And that one’s body that’ll never be found

See, little sister don’t miss when she aims her gun.”

“The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia” is the perfect example that it takes only one great song to carve out a place in music history. Vicki Lawrence outdid herself on this one.

Appears in 🔻:

Vicki Lawrence, The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia: 1 Hit WONDERful 👏👏👏 No. 11 (2023)

3. Pharrell Williams & Travis Scott, “Down in Atlanta” 

“Down In Atlanta” • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 2022

“Watch ‘em fly from the sky, while we line up the wall / Like confetti, how it falls, let ‘em leave with it all…” Woo! Pharrell Williams is at it again! He enlists the services of Travis Scott for another intriguing 2022 single, “Down In Atlanta”. “Down In Atlanta” commences with that signature Pharrell Williams intro – the four-count! Notably, the listener only hears three out of four beats accented with the kick drum. Following the intro, the record establishes itself in a 6/8 (possibly 12/8) meter.  Travis Scott rides the beat and backdrop well, dropping his melodic rap flow drenched in vocal effects. Beyond the vibe Scott serves up, what about Pharrell on the production end of things? Williams puts in work with the beat as well as the synths. Even so many years into the game, Williams still manages to concoct forward-thinking bops. “Down In Atlanta” isn’t the second coming, but Scott and Williams make a formidable team.  It’s a vibe!

Appears in 🔻:  

4. Gladys Knight & The Pips, “Midnight Train to Georgia”

💿 Imagination • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 1973

“L.A. / Proved too much for the man (Too much for the man, he couldn’t take it).” Ah, that seems to be a common sentiment that Gladys Knight & The Pips sing in the first couple of lines of their ace-in-the-hole, 🎵 “Midnight Train to Georgia”. Gladys Knight and company continue singing, “So he’s leavin’ the life / He’s come to know.” This Grammy-winning, no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, penned by Jim Weatherly, is the biggest hit of the soul group’s career, period.  In terms of Knight’s career, “Midnight Train to Georgia” marks one of two no. 1 hits (“That’s What Friends Are For” wouldn’t arrive until the 1980s, however). This beloved, soul staple commences Gladys Knight & The Pips 1973, gold-certified album, Imagination.  Unsurprisingly, “Midnight Train to Georgia” also gave the collective a gold-certified single, a big deal back in the day 💪. 

Clearly, the man that Gladys Knight sings about is exiting the City of Angels in search of a happier life.  In the chorus, her and Pips make it clear, “He’s leavin’ (leavin’) / On that midnight train to Georgia.” So, how does this affect Gladys? Well, in his return “to a simpler place and time,” she asserts, “I’d rather live in his world / Than live without him in mine.” So, basically, she’s going with him – she loves him! Throughout the course of the record, Knight sounds amazing.  She oozes with soul, blessing us with that rich alto.  Her ad-libs are on point, with The Pips providing sensational backups.  Beyond marvelous songwriting, lead vocals, and backing vocals, the arrangement, production, and sound of the record is breathtaking. “Midnight Train to Georgia” is idiomatic of 1970s soul with its horns, strings, and, of course, the rhythm section anchoring things down.  With many hits to their name, Gladys Knight & The Pips’ crowning achievement will always be “Midnight Train to Georgia”.  

Appears in 🔻:

Gladys Knight & The Pips, Midnight Train to Georgia: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 137 (2023)

5. Kevin Abstract, “Georgia”

💿 ARIZONA BABY • 🏷 Question Everything, Inc. / RCA • 📅 2019

Per Kevin Abstract: “I got Georgia on my mind, ain’t nobody left behind / It’s just me, my team, my weed, my baby’s Audi parked outside / Call my mom and let her know that everything is alright.” Okay… cool 😎. Those lyrics, sung in high-pitched-shifted vocals, hail from the rapper/singer’s song “Georgia,” the third track from his 2019 album, ARIZONA BABY. He penned the song alongside producers Jack Antonoff and Romil Hemnani, who was associated with the now defunct collective, BROCKHAMPTON. Beyond a colorful chorus, Kevin serves up equally colorful verses. His transparency is a selling point. For example, in the first verse, he reflects on his sexuality, prior to being out: “I often question, I often wonder / If I told the class I liked the nigga that sit in the back / How bad would it make me suffer?” In the second verse, he keeps it personal, spitting, “I left my troubled home, Hollywood, what the fuck am I doing?” That is the question, Kevin! Ultimately, the enjoyable “Georgia” lands somewhere between alternative rap, pop, and R&B. After listening, you’ll definitely have Georgia on your mind… NO CAP!

6. Brittany Howard, “Georgia” 

💿 Jaime • 🏷 Brittany Howard / ATO • 📅 2019 

“I just want Georgia to notice me…” Brittany Howard is best known as the frontwoman to the Grammy-winning, soul-infused, alternative rock collective, Alabama Shakes.  On Jaime, Howard ‘goes solo,’ releasing quite the unique and captivating project.  One of the songs that caught my attention while listening to Jaime was “Georgia,” an honest and open song. The above-mentioned lyrics, which hail from the chorus, could be interpreted a couple of ways without context.  Perhaps Howard is referencing the state of Georgia, though we all know that she’s from Alabama… The interpretation that is accurate is her attraction to/crush on Georgia, a lady, of course.  She confirms this in the verses, as she opens up about her sexuality.  In the first verse, she sings, “Georgia, see you don’t know it, but / I’m afraid to tell you how I really feel.”  In the second verse, she adds, “And I can’t help the way that I was born to be / I ain’t no little boy.” Then there’s the bridge, where Howard asks, “Is it unnatural? / Georgia, is it cool? / I wanna tell you that I love you…” Add another awesome song to the LGBTQ+ playlist.  

Appears in 🔻:

7. Ludacris & Field Mob, “Georgia” (Ft. Jamie Foxx)

💿 Ludacris Presents… Disturbing Tha Peace • 🏷 The Island Def Jam Music Group • 📅 2005

“We on the grind in (Georgia) all the time / It ain’t nothin’ on my mind but (Georgia) we ain’t playin’ with ya,” Ludacris, assisted by Jamie Foxx asserts on “Georgia”. Notably, “Georgia” samples “Georgia On My Mind” by Ray Charles (it also samples vocals and lyrics from Boogie Down Productions’ “100 Guns”). During the chorus, it embraces more of the traditional track, with Foxx channeling his inner Ray. However, during the verses, “Georgia” embraces those ATL, southern rap vibes. Ludacris is turnt up in the first verse, over a sensational minor-key instrumental, anchored by a mean beat courtesy of Vudu Spellz. “Yeah, dirty words, dirty birds, it’s mean in the Dirty South / If you ever disrespect it, then we’ll clean out ya dirty mouth,” Luda threatens. He adds, “We some ATL thrashers, scope ya punk and then smash ya / We’ll come through ya hood worse than a tsunami disaster.” Ooh-wee!

It’s not all Ludacris and Foxx though – gotta bring Field Mob into the fold! Smoke gets into the mix beginning in the chorus prior to the second verse. He begins the verse with a bang, spitting, “I’m from the home of neckbones / Black eyed peas, turnip and collard greens / We the children of the corn, dirtier than Bob Marley’s pee-pee…” Moving on, Shawn Jay takes the third and final verse, confirming how Field Mob came up with their name: “When you see them confederate flags, you know what it is / Yo’ folks picked cotton here, that’s why we call it the field.” On the Billboard Hot 100, this song, that’s all-things Georgia, peaked at no. 39 in 2006. “Georgia” is a Grammy-nominated, aughts rap banger that deserved far more love.

Appears in 🔻:

Ludacris & Field Mob, Georgia: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 No. 12 (2024)

8. Brook Benton, Rainy Night in Georgia

💿 Brook Benton Today • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 1970

“Hoverin’ by my suitcase / Tryin’ to find a warm place / To spend the night,” Brook Benton (1931 – 1988) sings on the first verse of “Rainy Night in Georgia”. “Rainy Night in Georgia” was written and originally recorded by Tony Joe White in 1969. Even so, it was Benton who made “Rainy Night in Georgia” a hit in 1970. The cover (🤯) appears as the opening track of his 1970 album, Brook Benton Today. Notably, the song marked the eighth of eight top-10 hits by the late musician. Specifically, “Rainy Night in Georgia” peaked at no. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was well deserved chart success, PERIOD. Furthermore, Benton earned his sole Grammy nomination at the 13th Annual GRAMMY Awards for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance, Male. So, why is “Rainy Night in Georgia” such a big deal?

Simply put, in every aspect, it’s brilliant. First and foremost, Brook Benton delivers expressive, nuanced vocals. It’s easy to buy what he’s selling with heartfelt lyrics. Furthermore, the depth, robustness, and tone of his voice are top-notch. As a musician, you can just tell, Benton’s got it. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Tony Joe White penned a once-in-a-lifetime song. “A distant moanin’ of a train,” Benton sings in the second verse, adding, “Seems to play a sad refrain / To the night.” The crème de la crème is the chorus, where Benton’s emotions are easily perceptible given the authenticity of his performance:

“A rainy night in Georgia

Such a rainy night in Georgia

Lord, I believe it’s rainin’ all over the world

I feel like it’s rainin’ all over the world.”

In addition to strong vocals and songwriting, the production and sound are stupendous too – shout out Arif Mardin! The ear candy includes organ, guitar, warm, soaring strings, and even some harmonica. You feel for Benton’s pain and sadness, but ultimately, it’s our listening pleasure on “Rainy Night in Georgia”.

Appears in 🔻:

Brook Benton, Rainy Night in Georgia: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 165 (2023)

9. Leon Bridges, “Georgia to Texas”

💿 Good Thing • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2018

“504 black girl carried me / In her womb to the land of the peach,” Leon Bridges sings, continuing, “Her birthing pains brought me low / But she held me high on Peachtree Road.” “Georgia to Texas” is the fantastic closing cut on Good Thing. the sophomore album by the Grammy-winning R&B standout. The authentic, personal nature of the record makes it top-notch, as evidenced by the excerpted lyrics – “Left ATL for the Texas way / We drove 20 East in my daddy’s ’88.” Furthermore, the jazzy touches, including upright bass, and a stirring saxophone solo by Jeff Dazey, also contribute to the sheer excellence of the track. “Georgia to Texas” thrives off its authenticity and classiness.

Appears in 🔻:

50 Songs About the 50 States (2018)

10. Big Boi, “In The A” (Ft. T.I. & Ludacris)

💿 Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors • 🏷 The Island Def Jam Music Group • 📅 2012

“I keep it play while some choose to play it safe / Boy, check the resume, it’s risky business in the A / In the A, in the A, in the A, in the A, uh!” WOO! There’s nothing like a hard-hitting, southern rap banger. Big Boi, with the help of some of his Atlanta rap contemporaries, T.I. and Ludacris, drop the potent, five-minute tour de force, “In The A”. “In the A” appears as the fifth track off Big Boi’s 2012 LP, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors. Fueling the fire of the rappers is malicious, minor-key production courtesy of Showdown, DJ Aries, and Blackowned C-Bone. Worth noting, “In The A” samples three songs: “Shutterbugg” (by Big Boi himself), “Dr. Gill’s Song” (Chumei Watanabe), and “Be Thankful for What You Got” (William DeVaughn).

With Big Boi setting the tone with a hook for the ages, T.I. takes the reins in the first verse. He delivers no shortage of ear-catching one-liners like “I’m a Bankhead nigga, you can bank that, nigga,” referencing his neighborhood, “I just met my connect, dropped off snow in the bluff,” referencing hustling, and “Blowing presidential, twenty bricks off in the rental 💨.” Following another iteration of the kick ass hook, Big Boi drops the second verse, which like T.I.’s, has no shortage of memorable bars. “King shit, Buckingham Palace 👑, ‘Til I’m bucking on a motherfuckin’ beat goddammit,” he spits early on, setting the tone for his epic verse. Towards the end, he delivers some of his very best raps: “From the birthplace of MLK where everything ain’t okay but KKK / I’m more Malcolm than Martin, come get some, be a target / Standing in the kitchen with the AK, a.k.a, this Georgia!” And finally, Ludacris gets his moment in the third and final verse, not to be overshadowed by his fellow ATL contemporaries. “And I love chicks with ass, so it arch like St. Louis / Who’s it? Got chicks hugging my nuts like a Speedo / ‘Cause when I’m on the mic, I go for broke like T.O..” Worth noting, the jam-packed “In The A” concludes with a unique, spoken word outro courtesy of pastor James David Manning, criticizing the kids (“If practice makes perfect, why do you just specialize in fun things / And not in the things that require effort, commitment and sacrifice?”)!

Appears in 🔻:

Big Boi, In The A: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 No. 14 (2024)

11. Kane Brown, “Bury Me in Georgia”

💿 Different Man • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 2022

“Bury me in Georgia / Let me rest in peace / Underneath the pine… / Where my roots run deep.” “Bury Me in Georgia” commences Different Man, the 2022 album by country musician, Kane Brown. “Bury Me” begins dramatically and enigmatically, set in a minor key. Once it settles in, a ‘banging,’ rootsy countrified groove anchors, with Brown embracing his good ol’ southern roots. Of his home state, he asserts, “It’s where I was born, it’s where I was raised / Ain’t sayin’ I’m ready yet / But that’s the place I wanna be after my last breath.” Noted! As always, Brown’s tone is marvelous. He sings with incredible expression and nuance, and of course, ample twang. Also, he seems sincere about his birthplace, so much so when his time comes, he requests to “Sing a send me home song / Put ‘Go Dawgs’ on my headstone / And pile the red dirt on.” The funky joint, which includes some sickening instrumental breaks, was penned by Brown, Jordan Schmidt, Josh Hoge, and Matt McGinn. Dann Huff produces this rousing, four-minute-long country banger. Hopefully, Brown’s request for burial in his home state is honored… just not too soon!

12. Boz Scaggs, “Georgia”

💿 Silk Degrees • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 1976

“Georgia, I swear I’ve never seen such a smile / Gorgeous enough to make an angel’s heart run wild.” Clearly, Georgia is special! Boz Scaggs continues singing on “Georgia”, “Your lazy eyes and small town lies / Have got me in your spell.” “Georgia” appears as the second track on Silk Degrees, the 1976 album by the Grammy-winning, genre-bending, versatile musician. Scaggs penned the record, while Joe Wissert produced it. The backdrop is picturesque to say the least, with the locked-in rhythm section (keys, guitar, bass, drums), as well as the orchestration (horns and strings). What I’m saying is, the instrumental is glorious in its own right.

Of course, Boz Scaggs ups the ante with his impeccable songwriting and his vocals. The writing, which is poetic, tells a captivating tale of love. Well, at least the protagonist still believes there is love, though the circumstance don’t appear to be optimal! “Georgia / We will be together dear / If they ever let me out of here,” Scaggs asserts, continuing, “They will say that it’s not true / But I did it all for you / Georgia / Won’t you tell them for me dear.” Here, the question is, exactly what did the protagonist do? Again, the lyrics never fail to compel, as later, Scaggs adds, “I never lived through a night like that / Sure enough / got your loving where I like it at / Moonlight through the pines /… But how were we to know / That wasn’t moonlight / They were searchlights / Oh no.” Hmm… thought provoking! The final piece of the sheer excellence of “Georgia” are those potent, soulful lead vocals! Scaggs nails it on this fabulous soft rock, blue-eyed soul gem.

Appears in 🔻:

Boz Scaggs, Georgia: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 29 (2024)

13. Ray Charles, “Georgia on My Mind”

💿 True Genius • 🏷 Tangerine • 🗓 2021

“Georgia, Georgia / The whole day through / Just an old, sweet song / Keeps Georgia on my mind.” The late, iconic musician Ray Charles earned 11 top-10 hits throughout his illustrious career. He also earned three no. 1 hits, including “Hit The Road Jack” and the beloved jazz standard, “Georgia On My Mind”, which spent one week atop the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1960. “Georgia On My Mind” wasn’t written by or for Charles – it was penned in 1930 by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell. So, what is the Charles connection to the song besides covering it in 1960? Charles was born in the Peach 🍑 State. Charles’ stirring, soulful rendition of “Georgia on My Mind” is the one to beat, PERIOD.

“Other arms, reach out to me / Other eyes smile tenderly / Still in peaceful dreams I see / The road leads back to you.” Sigh. Charles’ voice is the biggest draw of “Georgia on My Mind.” His instrument was, indeed, ‘once-in-a-lifetime.’ That said, so many other musical cues make this six-decade-plus recording epic. The orchestral arrangement and production (Sid Feller) are celestial. There’s just something about strings that provide a serious lift. Of course, the rhythm section is on-point, namely Charles’ magical piano playing. Also, those easy listening, choral vocals can’t be left out the mix, providing further enhancement. When Ray Charles sings about his home state on “Georgia On My Mind”, you buy what he is selling. There’s a reason why it’s the official state song.

Appears in 🔻:

Ray Charles, Georgia On My Mind: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 174 (2023)

13 Songs Where GEORGIA is On the Mind (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic, ATO, Brittany Howard, Columbia, GME LLC, The Island Def Jam Music Group, Question Everything Inc., RCA, Sony Music Entertainment, Such a Good Company Limited, Tangerine; Kelly from Pexels; AlanaJordan, Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay]

13 Songs Where GEORGIA is On the Mind | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on March 4, 2024March 4, 2024