Brook Benton, Rainy Night in Georgia | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 165^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Rainy Night in Georgia” by Brook Benton.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 165^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Rainy Night in Georgia”, performed by 🎙 Brook Benton. 

“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 13^th 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”.

🎙 Brook Benton • 💿 Brook Benton Today • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 1970

Brook Benton, Rainy Night in Georgia: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 165 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic; OpenClipart-Vectors, PIRO via  Pixabay]